Singer Wade Black (ex-CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES) has parted ways with California-based power metallers LEATHERWOLF. His statement follows: "Greetings metal freaks world-wide! I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to update you on the latest goings on. I have been fortunate enough to travel the world bringing metal to the masses. Without a doubt, the best thing to come out of my metal career has been traveling the globe and meeting the heart of metal - the fans - and giving everything I have to give on the stage for you. I have absolutely been able to live the dream. There is of course the reality side of things, and this is where things often get unpleasant. Like many other musicians in our genre, I have a career outside of music that is necessary in order to provide a reasonable lifestyle for my family. If I have to miss work to fly out to do recording sessions, rehearsals, or tours, I don’t get paid.

While I have enjoyed giving a new voice to Leatherwolf and supporting the new album, the harsh economic reality of my current musical situation is that the compensation for the studio and live work I’ve done hasn't even offset

the lost wages I've missed while supporting Leatherwolf in the studio and on the road.

More important than the financial aspects is the time away from my family. My wife and children have been very patient and supportive of me, and they deserve to be the highest priority in my life. You only have one chance in life to be the best parent you can be. There are no studio tricks or retakes to gloss over the missed opportunities to be there for your family.

I am therefore letting you all know that effective immediately, I will no longer be singing for Leatherwolf.

My sincerest best wishes go out to Leatherwolf for continued success, and also my sincerest thanks to Chris Leibundgut at A.R.M. productions for his support and guidance!

Is this the end of Wade Black’s career of metal? HELL NO! After much thought and consideration, I have decided to start my own band locally. This will allow me to complete the solo material I’ve been working on over the years, play out live on a regular basis (something you can’t do when the rest of the band is 3000 miles away), and eventually release an album under my new metal identity: BLACK REIGN. We will be playing material from the four internationally released albums I have done as well as the new Black Reign material, and maybe a few covers of some metal classics.

This will allow me to continue my career as a musician without sacrificing my commitment to my family. Stay tuned to www.wadeblack.com and www.myspace.com/wadeblackmusic for the latest news!"