Sweden's DEAD BY APRIL have issued the following update:

"Pontus (Hjelm, guitar/backing vocals) has after some time off from the band decided to leave Dead By April permanently. He feels that he wants to focus on his work as a songwriter, which is where much of his heart has been since day one. It is of course sad for the band, the fans and everyone involved to see an important member leave but if that is his wish we accept and respect his decision. We owe it to everyone involved to continue what has only been started...

Pontus has been with us from the start and will in some senses of course always be a part of Dead by April as he will continue to write songs with us. So don't be to alarmed, nothing is different in the songwriting department!"

Pontus says: "The time has come for me to step aside from Dead by April. These years has been filled with new experiences, memorable moments and I have truly learned alot. I will be forever grateful for getting the opportunity to have lived out the dream I had since I was a little boy and experienced something I'd never thought I would experience. I also deeply hope that Zandro gets the same magical and warm reception that I have gotten around everything with this band. My focus is now on my job as a full time songwriter, I will continue to write for the band and of course also for other artists and bands.

Thank you all! Love Pontus"

The band continue: "There are however some differences in the singing and guitar departments, or to be very specific: We have a new vocalist.

We decided that we didn't really need two guitars for the sound and felt that we just wanted to focus on finding a great singer and a great personality who was willing to give this his everything and together take this band to new heights. That guy is that very same some of you might have seen filling in for Pontus before: Zandro Zantiago.

Zandro stepped in to fill Pontus place on short notices and has always done a great job and with time he has accelerated into a great fit for us. He became a member in our hearts before even really joining and tomorrow in Gothenburg he can finally do his first gig as an official member of Dead By April!

We hope all of you give him a great welcome to this band and stand behind him fully as we all do."

Zandro says: "To get this chance is not only very flattering, it is also a big challenge that I take on with all my heart! Now being a part of the band is a great honour, that we work great together and have alot of fun just makes it even more definite. This is where I belong. Indeed it is a big pair of shoes to fill up after Pontus as a singer and as a person but I can assure the fans that I will give you my all and strive to be the very best I can be, with Dead By April!"

A photo of the new band lineup can be seen on the left (click image to enlarge).