Long-time MARDUK bassist B.War has quit the Swedish black metal group, presumably to focus full-time on his other band, DEVILS WHOREHOUSE (also featuring MARDUK guitarist Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson). Magnus Devo Andersson, who played guitar on the band’s first two albums, has been named as his replacement. The band have subsequently pulled out of the Rock Hard Festival in Germany on May 29th but will still play the Rock the Nation Festival in Istanbul, Turkey on July 3rd.

The band, who’s latest album World Funeral was released in February 2003, are no stranger to line-up changes. Just earlier this year, they recruited vocalist Mortuus, replacing long-time vocalist Legion, who quit in November of 2003.

Currently, MARDUK are working on the final details for their ninth full-length studio album. The band will be entering the studio in July to record the album for a tentative November release.