Cleveland metal legends BREAKER have announced the addition of guitarist Shaun Vanek (ETERNAL LEGACY, CELLBOUND, MANIMALS) to the band for their sold out Keep It True XIV festival appearance, set to take place April 29th at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany.

Vanek replaces guitarist Nick Giannakos (WRETCH), who stepped down from the trip due to work commitments and scheduling conflicts. Giannakos will continue with his band Wretch, who are busy finishing up recording a new studio album at Noise Floor Studios in Cleveland, Ohio with Breaker guitarist Don Depew producing.

Giannakos had been filling in on live performances for original Breaker guitarist Michael Klein. Klein, who has appeared on all of the band’s studio recordings, was forced to limit his live playing time several years ago due to a severe case of tinnitus. Upon the departure of Giannakos, Vanek was quickly recruited on the suggestion of Auburn Records president Bill Peters and Breaker immediately began rehearsing and playing local live shows to prepare for the festival. The debut of the new lineup at the WJCU Radiothon Benefit Concert in Cleveland on February 19th was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews and praise.

"I really love jammin’ with these guys”, says Vanek. “I have always been a fan of Michael (Klein) and Don (Depew)'s guitar playing. They both compliment each other very well. I'm really looking forward to playing Michael’s parts. It is key for me to play the solos like Michael because that’s the way the fans are used to hearing the studio recordings but add my own energy to the live show. The stage is going to explode!"??According to drummer Mark Klein, “We’re very happy to have Shaun in Breaker and it feels as though he’s been with us for years. It’s an ideal fit for us and I feel that our fans will really appreciate his great guitar playing and the energy he brings to the band!”

The band has already been writing and rehearsing new material together and will debut one new song for their German fans at the festival. This will be Breaker's fourth festival trip to Germany, having performed at Wacken Open Air in 2000, Headbangers Open Air in 2004 and Bang Your Head in 2008. The band continues to maintain a strong following in the European metal underground and has been an anchor of the Auburn Records label since its inception in1984.

Vanek has performed in Germany with his band Eternal Legacy at the Headbangers Open Air festival in 2007 and the Wacken Open Air festival in 2010.

Adds guitarist Don Depew, ”All here at Breaker Command Center for European Operations are counting the days ‘til we can once again pound beer and drink metal with our gloriously deranged German fiends!”

Breaker is: Don Depew - guitar, Mark Klein - drums, Greg Wagner - vocals, Brook Hodges - bass, Shaun Vanek - guitar.

Breaker live dates:

April

1 - Maple Grove - Maple Heights, OH (with AMERICAN DOG, LICK THE BLADE, LOTUS PEDAL)
17 - Beachland Tavern - Cleveland, OH (with SHADES OF REMEMBRANCE, JJ GRIM)
29 - Keep It True XIV festival - Tauberfrankenhalle - Lauda-Königshofen, Germany

May

22 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH (with LOUDNESS)