Anglo-Chilean thrash masters CRIMINAL have issued the following update from vocalist/guitarist Anton Reisenegger:

"Hey everybody,

First of all, let me thank everyone involved in making our latest UK run and shows in the Basque Country such a great experience. Venue owners, promoters, support bands and obviously you, the fans! A special shout goes to Jay (aka Griz aka Billy Gibbons aka Rick Rubin aka Rasputin aka "The Beard") for being such a great guy and helping us out selling merch and just all around lending a helping hand. We will post photos and videos of the tour soon.

I know many of you were a bit confused by (lead guitarist) Rod (Contreras)'s absence during these dates, so I thought I better let you know what's going on. Rod has decided to return to Chile for now as he needed to take care of some personal and business issues. We hope it will only be a temporary thing and he'll come back soon, but right now the future is quite unclear.

In the meantime, we have enlisted Olmo from the Basque band GAMORA to fill in for Rod. Olmo is a great guy and an excellent guitarist, and he's already done a great job on the past few shows as all those in attendance can confirm. He is totally aware of the situation and has expressed his total support and his desire to help us out as long as his serives are needed. Hats off to him!

We'll keep you posted on any developments, but rest assured, we shall carry on! A South American tour is in its planning stages for late 2010 and we've already begun writing material for a new album."

Stay tuned for further updates. More on Criminal at this location.