Swiss folk metallers Eluveitie recently checked in with some sad news, revealing the band has splintered following the firing of drummer Merlin Sutter. They have posted an official statement explaining the situation, which can be found here. In the aftermath, Anna Murphy (vocals, hurdy gurdy), Merlin Sutter (drums) and Ivo Henzi (guitars) have launched a new band, Cellar Darling.

In addition. Murphy and Henzi have launched solo projects. The band has issued the following statement:

"Last week we've taken a little break from writing to record drums for Ivo Henzi's solo project Forest Of Fog as well as Anna Murphy's next solo song. Anna is producing and Merlin Sutter is drumming on both tracks. They will be out this summer. Now however it is back to Cellar Darling - we can't wait to show you what we're up to soon!"

Murphy elaborated in a separate post:

"Besides mixing I am also recording new music for my next solo album, and you can expect a first song this summer - just in time for my upcoming Australian tour!

We had a very productive day at Soundfarm. The morning was spent engineering and recording Merlin Sutter's drums for Ivo Henzi’s Forest Of Fog (I am so psyched to mix this) - and we then changed the set-up completely to record my single. I will release the track this summer. Can’t wait! If you’re in Australia, you might want to come and hear it live..."

Murphy will play the following shows:

August
26 - Sydney, Australia - Bald Faced Stag Hotel
27 - Melbourne, Australia - The Evelyn Hotel

Go to this location for ticket information.

The Cellar Darling trio has toured the world for over a decade as members of Eluveitie and are taking the summer to write new music, returning to the stage before year's end:

"We are excited to share with you that we are already hard at work on music with our new band, Cellar Darling - and that we have already confirmed a show at the end of this year! We feel incredibly inspired and will be taking the summer to write and create.

What will it sound like, you ask? We can’t yet say. All we know is that we will let creativity flow wherever it wants to go, without any limitations or concerns. You will get Ivo’s epic riffs, so it will be heavy. You will get Merlin’s drums, so it will be loud. And you will get Anna’s unique voice, so it will be both powerful and fragile. Oh, and of course we won’t neglect the hurdy gurdy!"

Follow the band via Facebook here.

Cellar Darling will make their live debut supporting Anneke Van Giersbergen's The Gentle Storm on December 17th at Melkweg in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Go to this location for show details.