Anglo-Chilean thrashers Criminal have announced that they have parted ways with Basque lead guitarist Olmo Cascallar.

“Olmo is a great guy and an excellent guitar player, but there just wasn't that special chemistry between him and the rest of us. I am sure he will have a new project going soon and we wish him the best of luck with it,” comments band leader Anton Reisenegger (vocals/guitar).

Cascallar played on the last Criminal album to date, 2011's Akelarre.

Now joining the Criminal ranks is Chilean shredmaster Sergio Klein, who resides in Berlin, Germany. Klein has already gained recognition as a lead player with his band The Outside and is also a guitar instructor. With him, Criminal have already started working on the material for a new album for a late 2015 release.

“Sergio's playing is absolutely phenomenal. I haven't heard such aggressive, yet melodic and clear leads in a long time. He grew up listening to Criminal so he understands 100% what the band is about, and I can't deny that having another Chilean in the band again feels awesome,” Reisenegger says. “The new songs are coming out great, the creative venoms are really flowing.”

New member Sergio Klein had the following to say about joining the band: “To say that I'm happy to play in Criminal is an understatement. This is a band I've been a fan of since I was 14; I even have some autographs! I've played with the records since I started to play guitar, but what gets me more excited than anything is the really inspired work we achieve when we meet and write music together. I'm really looking forward to show you guys what we've been working on, it will burn your face off!”

Klein already played his first show with Criminal at the Euskal Assault festival in Durango, Basque Country on March 13th.

(Photo - JoLi Studios)