WOODS OF YPRES drummer Rae Amitay has checked in with the following update:

"I am ridiculously happy to announce that I'm the new drummer for MARES OF THRACE. Thank you Thérèse Lanz for buying me my first deck of Magic cards and welcoming me into the band. Stefani MacKichan, you're an amazing drummer and overall badass. Best of luck with absolutely everything.

Come see us on tour with PILGRIM and PRIMITIVE WEAPONS. We're starting off in good ol' Boston on July 31st at O'Briens!"

Meanwhile, Thérèse Lanz has issued the following statement on Stefani MacKichan's departure:

"Hello Everyone,

So. Due to getting into the educational program of her dreams and its subsequent conflicts with touring, Stef has decided to step down. She is, as the Dothraki from Game of Thrones say, blood of my blood, I love her very very much and I promise I will keep you posted on her future musical projects, which will probably be very MESHUGGAH-like. However. I am very happy to announce that Rae Fucking Amitay will be playing in Mares Of Thrace going forward. She is a Berklee School Of Music-trained, metal session-playing, former aspiring Lovecraftian scholar and giant nerd, so please fling all your most unflattering granny panties at her. Also, here's a video of her playing an ALLEGAEON song..."

Check out a recent interview with Amitay here

Mares Of Thrace released their debut album, The Moulting, in 2010 via Arctodus Records. The band toured Canada in support of the album immediately after its release, followed by a US tour in 2011. Additionally, Thérèse played bass for KEN MODE for the first half of 2011, touring with them in support of their latest album Venerable (Profound Lore).

The newly completed new LP from Mares Of Thrace, and first for Sonic Unyon Metal, is entitled The Pilgrimage. Recorded in October and November of 2011 at Chicago’s Engine Studio with producer Sanford Parker (NACHTMYSTIUM, PELICAN, YOB) and mastered by Collin Jordan at Boiler Room.

Visit Mares Of Thrace on Facebook for further details.