Pain of Salvation recently unveiled their new song "Accelerator" alongside a new music video. Some fans noticed bassist Gustaf Hielm was missing from the video, which makes sense as Pain of Salvation has now announced they've amicably parted ways with Hielm.
Hielm stated he simply couldn't juggle a full-time job, session work, and Pain of Salvation any longer.
"Hello friends! As excited as I am about the new release as sad am I to have to break the news that after 8 years I’ve decided to embark from the PoS ship," he said.
"This is, as you all understand, not an easy decision to make but however a necessary one. Last fall, after years of juggling a full time day job, the band and a career as session musician on top of that I came scarily close to total exhaustion and had to slam the brakes before I hit that infamous wall. I’m happy to say it was the right thing to do and I feel a lot better today, thanks for asking.
"However I do know that I can’t simply go back to that kind of hectic lifestyle again and expect it to work. Therefore I’ve decided to focus on being primarily a session man again and be in charge over my own schedule according to whatever time and energy I have.
"The guys in the extended PoS family have been very supportive in this decision, I love them dearly. And not only in a sexual way but also as musicians and great friends! ? They also know that should the need ever arise I will be happy to offer my services, again time and energy permitting, so you might have to endure my presence every now and then, who knows?
"So this is most definitely not goodbye, I will make music until the day I die and I know I’ll see many of you out there in the near or distant future. In the meantime, stay safe and stay sane and pre-order Panther, it’s a beast of an album!
Gustaf Hielm was Pain of Salvation's bassist between 1992 and 1994, and again between 2011 and 2020. The band said they've known Hielm intended to leave, and have not yet looked into finding a permanent replacement.
Pain of Salvation will release their new album Panther on August 28. Pre-orders are available here.
