Swedish death/black metallers ZONARIA have parted ways with drummer Emanuel "Cebbe" Isaksson and guitarist Emil Nystöm.

Comments Emil: "So it's time for me to take a break. I've been at this for the better part of 10 years. Through ZONARIA I've learned to know some great friends for life. I've just come to that point in my life where I feel that I can put in the effort and time that ZONARIA requires. At the moment I'm focusing on my media production company and ZONARIA needs someone who is in it full hearted, like I've been before. ZONARIA will is still in my heart and the guys in the band are still great friends of mine.

"First of all, I'd like to thank all our fans, friends and people we've worked with through out the years. You've given me some of my greatest memories and eight great European tours I'll never forget. I'm sure we'll meet again.

"Thanks and all the best!"

States ZONARIA bassist Max Malmer: "It's a sad day announcing that this happened. It feels like parting ways with a great couple of friends. Which it, of course is, even though we still will be seeing each other. This wasn't what we wanted, but it will be for the better of the band in the long term. Emil and Cebbe just didn't have the time anymore to dedicate their lives to the band. Things in life change, so we must move on. This changes nothing for the future of the band, though; we will still go on as usual, me and Simon!

"I will see you guys on the road."

Adds Isaksson: "So this is it, my time to step down as the drummer of ZONARIA. It's truly been a blast and an huge part of my life the last seven years but I've reached a point where I had to make a choice.

I'm away a lot with my job, which makes it hard to put the necessary time and energy into ZONARIA and also makes my home time that much more precious. I also don't want to in any way, now that the new album has been released, hold back the rest of the guys from gigs and/or tours because I'm away.

"I want to thank my brothers in ZONARIA that I've shared all these great experiences with, along with all the great people we've worked with, bands and crews we've toured with and of course all fans around the world for supporting us!

"If anybody ever wanna say hi or grab a beer sometime, you can still catch me on the road as drum tech currently for IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY and PAIN, among others."

ZONARIA will not cancel any shows or stop any othe ractivities. The band is in the process of finding new members and will announce the new musicians' identities as soon as possible.

ZONARIA's third album, "Arrival Of The Red Sun", was released on July 23 in Europe and August 14 in North America via Listenable Records. The CD was recorded at Abyss studio in Sweden with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, SONIC SYNDICATE, HYPOCRISY, CENTINEX, CARNAL FORGE).

Photo by www.emilmedia.se