Opeth part ways with keyboardist

Opeth have parted ways with keyboardist Per Wiberg following a mutual decision in the band. A replacement has been found who is already rehearsing with the band and who's identity will be revealed at a later date. Vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt released the following statement about the matter:

“Well, it’s been somewhat of a revolving door of members during the last couple of years, and now, Per is no longer a member. Mendez, Axe and Fredrik and I came to the decision that we should find a replacement for Per right after the recordings of the new album, and this came as no surprise to Per. He had, in turn, been thinking about leaving, so you could say it was a mutual decision. There’s no bad blood, just a relationship that came to an end, and that’s that. We wish Per the best, and he did a splendid job recording keyboards for the last record, which stands as his final recording with Opeth.”

Opeth remain hard at work on their next album, which follows up 2008’s critically acclaimed Watershed. The album is due out this Spring through Roadrunner Records.

Per Wiberg will continue his work with stoner metal band Spiritual Beggars.