As previously reported, drummer Johan Langell has decided to leave PAIN OF SALVATION to focus on his private life. His bandmates have issued the following statements in the wake of his decision:

Daniel Gildenlow:

"I have been playing together with Johan for 17 years now, and I can honestly say I have never played with a better drummer. I remember, as if it were yesterday, the day when he arrived to his audition. I was 16 and he was 14 - he had never played in a band and he didn't even know how a count-in worked, but when he played we could instantly see his full potential.

During our many years together we have come to a musical understanding that I have shared with few, and he has continued to develop as a drummer and a musician. The sad part is that he is still developing. Sad, because he is not only quitting the band, he is quitting music - at least for now. Johan and us have had discussions about his departure for many years, and I will never understand his decision, even though I accept it.

There are so many things I will miss when he finally moves out of the rehearsing room, but the thing I will probably miss the most is his way of saying 'it's impossible' when I present a new drum part. 'I will never be able to play this!' Then 30 minutes later he nails it, and you know it will always be there, long after everyone else have forgotten their parts.

I cannot begin to explain how sad I am to see him go, and for the first time since I was 11 I had to stop and dare to consider giving up on the band. We all had to sit down and seriously think about the future. It was clear though, that none of us would allow Pain of Salvation to be laid in an early grave, least of all Johan himself.

It was clear to us before we did the tour for Scarsick that this was going to be Johan's last tour with the band, and it was a profound and bittersweet feeling that I think permeated the whole tour, and hopefully spilled over to the fans attending the shows. If you want a chance to see Pain of Salvation with Johan behind the drums, you need to see any of the shows we have planned for the rest of the year. I know that I, for one, will savour these shows, as will the rest of the band."

Johan Hallgren:

"Johan Langell is a great drummer and friend. I will miss him dearly as a member of POS. He will always be my good friend and we have yet good times to come. I fully respect his decision and I wish him good luck in life. But remember we have a few more shows with the guy. I recommend you attend one to see a great man!"

Simon Andersson:

"Johan’s decision to leave the band sucks big time, but I totally respect it. Since I’m new in the band, which is a great honour, I sadly didn’t have a great deal of time to get to know him that much. I wish him the best of luck with his loving family and future pranks, whatever they might be."

Fredrik Hermansson:

"I am not a man of violence. If one feels the need to express oneself through acts of violence, I find it to be a huge degradation from what we are supposed to be, human beings.

However, there are situations that call for, and even require, severe and brutal violence of the most horrifying kind. Yes, you have guessed it right, I’m talking about when you are being confronted with the fact that a well-loved drummer wants to leave the band you’re part of.

I, Fredrik Hermansson, can (sometimes) spare annoying mosquitoes from the brutal death of being squashed between two hands and I can gladly go through extremes in order to let a wasp or fly out through a window instead of just killing them. If someone leaves the band I’m in? Now that’s another story. The correct punishment here is pure violence, end of story.

Now, Johan has been aware of this threat ever since he first brought up the issue of leaving the band and it’s beyond me how he stuck to his decision, facing the wrath of Mr. Hermansson. But I guess this just proves how convinced he is, and I can do nothing but respect him for this.

I still have about 6 months to enjoy his presence and company on stage and off stage. After that I don’t want any contact with him, that selfish, beer drinking, Volvo driving, Mora Träsk-shirt-wearing bastard! But that is of course self explanatory...

Seriously though, it’s going to be tough to see Johan go. He will be missed."

Go to this location to read Langell's statement regarding his departure.