Finnish gothic metal band To/Die/For have parted ways with drummer Tonmi Lillman. According to vocalist Jape Perätalo, “Tonmi is very great drummer and recorder and musician, but he is having so much other things to do also. To/Die/For is a thing I wanna do with all of heart and that’s why I decided to be free, and do it without Tonmi  again. It is sad, but I have my life, too, and I cannot just wait and wait all the time. Of course there is other reasons, too, but [no] personal problems. I love him as a friend always.”

Perätalo added, “Trying to it with Tonmi it would take too long and the next To/Die/For album would not come before 2020… or do it sooner with guys who are living more near me, rehearsals would be easier, etc. etc. Many reasons.”

The new To/Die/For lineup will make its live debut on October 23 at the Icehall in Kouvola, Finland. In addition, the band will enter the studio on October 5 to begin recording its sixth album for an early 2011 release.

TO/DIE/FOR’s new lineup:

• Jape Perätalo – Vocals
• Santtu Lonka – Drums
• Juppe Sutela – Guitar
• Josey Strandman – Bass
• Antti-Matti “Antza” Talala – Guitar
• Jussi-Mikko “Juska” Salminen – Keyboards

For more info: http://www.myspace.com/tdfrocks