Riihimäki, Finland-based metallers DIRGE ETERNAL have announced that they are parting ways with singer Jani Perta.

Says the band: "There has been a lot going on in the band lately and everyone agrees that taking this band to the next level is not possible with the current lineup. Jani made the decision himself, so there is no firing involved or any other hard feelings. Jani will do the shows already scheduled for this year, but after that we hope to have a new singer onboard. Dirge Eternal thanks Jani for all the great times together and wishes luck in all the future endeavors. You will find the way, just stay at it!!!"

Jani's statement: "I don't want to go into details, but it could be said that there were different views within the band on how DE should work. This all started about a year ago and during this past year things have escalated to whole new dimensions. I felt that respect and trust towards myself were gone. It was a constant battle, where I felt as the underdog, time after time. I no longer was able to trust that I was involved in every decision about us all. The "status", if it can be called that way, as a founding member was already long gone and I felt like the band saw me as the "necessary evil". This lead me to think of the choices and there really wasn't many to go around. I felt cornered. If I stay, I'm constantly struggling when I shouldn't have to. These issues were dealt with other members few times, but they seemed to lose their meaning after a while. The things seemed to slip into same way very soon after I felt that some resolution was made. Did I start this band for this? Hell no! Someone has to go and since I am the only one feeling this way and after many conversations I don't see the change, it's pretty obvious who leaves… Trust me, it was not an easy decision. This is done with very heavy heart but in the end, my loyalties lie to myself. I think, feel and speak about things I disagree the way I feel is right. I felt that wasn't the luxury I was allowed so I have to get away, for my sake. So from this moment on, I am no longer a member of Dirge Eternal. I still perform with the band on the scheduled shows this year but the year 2013 is going to be new year in so many ways to all of us…

"I do cherish the times I spent in Dirge Eternal, even though there are some moments I just want to forget! And just to get this straight, things said earlier are not to make other members of Dirge Eternal look bad! That's the last thing I want. I don't hold any grudges and I really wish all the best to everyone, but I also said earlier I have to stay true to myself and I didn't want to make some lame-ass statement about "personal reasons" or shit like that. I wanted to stay open and say the way I saw this situation. It may not be the only way, but it's the only one, that matters to me! Please don't take it the wrong way!

I can assure you that my days in music are far from over. You will hear from me again, some day, some way. This was a fantastic ride and I want to thank everyone involved from the bottom of my heart! Especially Hannes, Henri, Markus Y., Markus O., Patrik, Olli and Veikko! You're all great musicians as well as people and you will go far. If not in music, you are sure to make something of yourselves. You deserve it! And to all you DE fans, you all gave me something I'll never forget. STAY METAL!

See you, and thank you!"

More on Dirge Eternal at this location.