Today in a shocking statement, Italian symphonic death metal masters Fleshgod Apocalypse have noted that vocalist Tommaso Riccardi abruptly left the band a month ago due to "personal reasons." It seems there might have been trouble brewing for a while, because the band all agreed it was time to move on.
In a statement, they've announced that they have thought about it and have decided that founder, drummer and original vocalist, Francesco Paoli, will get back behind the mic and thus the band also welcome David Folchitto on drums and Fabio Bartoletti on lead guitar. Here's the full statement:
Hello friends,
There's no easy way to say this, so we'll go straight to the point: about a couple of months ago, our singer Tommaso left the band for personal reasons. Our separation wasn't painless, but everybody thought this was the best solution.
Therefore we sat down and tried to figure out all possible scenarios for a band that suddenly loses its frontman. The will to go on and continue this journey was stronger than everything else.
Since the message of Fleshgod Apocalypse goes beyond music itself, we couldn't let someone who wasn't there since the beginning be its spokesman.
So the only way to go on was to take a look back at our roots: we decided that Francesco Paoli, our drummer, songwriter, founder and first frontman of the band, was the natural choice for this delicate and also challenging position.
Our mastermind has finally taken back his originary role as lead vocalist and guitarist.
From now on, besides our precious soprano singer Veronica Bordacchini, we'll have the honour to share the stage with the Italian metal legend David Folchitto (Stormlord, Prophilax) on drums together with the phenomenal Fabio Bartoletti (Deceptionist) on lead guitar.
Fleshgod Apocalypse are more focused and determined than ever.
Expect new epic live experiences and, most likely, the darkest and heaviest Fleshgod Apocalypse album that we've ever written.
We can't wait to start this new, exciting chapter of our career.
Our friends in South America will be the first ones to witness the new course of the band, with Francesco as our frontman.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
The band have some dates lined up:
12 Oct – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Hangar 110
13 Oct – Limeira, Brazil – Bar da Montanha
14 Oct – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Teatro Odisseia
17 Oct – Montevideo, Uruguay – Montevideo Music Box
19 Oct – Rosario, Argentina – Vorterix
20 Oct – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Palermo Club
21 Oct – Cordoba, Argentina – Casa Babylon
22 Oct – Santiago, Chile – Blondie
24 Oct – Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia – Papa Brawn
25 Oct – Lima, Peru – Mangos
27 Oct – Bogota, Colombia – Samper Mendoza
28 Oct – Panama City, Panama – Hangar 18
29 Oct – San Jose, Costa Rica – Pepper's Club
2 Nov – Guadalajara, Mexico – C3 Stage
3 Nov – Monterrey, Mexico – Cafe Iguana
4 Nov – Queretaro, Mexico – Cideaa
5 Nov – Mexico City, Mexico – Circo Volador
9 Nov – Guatemala City, Guatemala – Rock Ol Vuh
11 Nov – San Salvador, El Salvador – Cifco
