A new videotaped statement from drummer Shannon Lucas in which he confirms his departure from his band of the past five years, Michigan's unstoppable sons of molten melodic death metal THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, can be seen below. During the two-and-and-half-minute clip, Lucas also confirms that he has launched a new project with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and CANNIBAL CORPSE vocalist George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, for which he hopes to start tracking drums in January. Shannon also reveals that he is in the process of opening up a tattoo shop with his wife outside Richmond, Virginia, the details of which will be made available soon.

As previously reported, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER has recruited drummer Alan Cassidy (ABIGAIL WILLIAMS) to sit behind the kit for the band's current trek with DETHKLOK, MACHINE HEAD and ALL THAT REMAINS.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's latest album, "Ritual", sold 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 31 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Deflorate", opened with around 12,000 units to enter the chart at No. 43.

Released on June 21, 2011 via Metal Blade Records, "Ritual" was described in a press release as "a collection of 12 tracks that see the band staying true to their sound and style while progressing in both writing and musicianship."