Just two months prior to the release of their highly anticipated debut album, Adrenaline Mob have been dealt a serious blow, as guitarist Rich Ward and bassist Paul DiLeo have announced they have left the band.
Ward, who also plays in Stuck Mojo and Fozzy, has released the following statement to Blabbermouth, outlining his reasons for quitting the band. “When I was first asked about coming on board as the second guitarist for the Adrenaline Mob project, it was understood that every member of the band had other band commitments, most of us having multiple active music projects. We all acknowledged that it would be a challenge to make it work, but we all agreed that the lineup’s potential was worth making the necessary compromises in each of our schedules.
“In recent months, it was made clear that after the release of the band’s album, scheduling around my previous commitments wasn’t going to be possible, and that it would be necessary to make Adrenaline Mob my sole priority. This basically meant that if I was to move forward with the Adrenaline Mob guys, I would only be available to continue on recording and touring with Fozzy, Stuck Mojo and Walking With Kings when the Adrenaline Mob wasn’t working. That’s a commitment I just couldn’t make. So I contacted Mike Portnoy and told him that I would need to step down and allow the band to find a guy who has the ability to fully commit to the project the way they need him to. His response was gracious and completely understanding.
“The experience of playing in a band with Portnoy was amazing. I’ve never met a more passionate, committed musician all my years, and always a complete gentleman towards me. Playing with musicians of that caliber was an honor and a privilege. I hope they go on to the great things they deserve.”
While Ward and DiLeo’s departure from the band may come has a bit of a setback to Adrenaline Mob’s remaining members – former Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold drummer Mike Portnoy, Symphony X frontman Russel Allen and Sonic Stomp axeman Mike Orlando – they are insistent that the essence of the band still remains intact. “The core of this band has always been the three of us. The album was written and recorded that way,” The band said in an official statement. “We later added Rich and Paul as part of the original touring lineup and we had a blast touring with them. However, they both had other projects and priorities and could not give a full-time commitment to Adrenaline Mob. We’re all still friends and we wish them all the best in their other bands, but for now, our focus is entirely on Adrenaline Mob, the release of ‘Omertà’ on 3/13/12, and hitting the road hard and playing for you all soon!”
Stay tuned for more details.
’Omertá’ track listing:
01. Undaunted
02. Psychosane
03. Indifferent
04. All on the Line
05. Hit the Wall
06. Feelin’ Me
07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale)
08. Believe Me
09. Down to the Floor
10. Angel Sky
11. Freight Train
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