U.K. metallers DARK FOREST have parted ways with guitarist James Lees and have replaced him with Patrick Jenkins (pictured below). The band states: "[James] decided to call it a day, saying that he feels his time in the band has run its course and he wants to explore and concentrate on other areas in his life. We respect his decision and would like to thank Jim for his huge contribution in making DARK FOREST what it is and for all the fun we've had over the last ten years!

"Pat has been our friend for many years and has supported the band since the early days. His guitar skills have blown us away, his sense of melody and song writing are completely akin to DARK FOREST and he has been playing guitar with Christian in their folk project GRENE KNYGHT for a number of years so he was always the perfect choice to fill Jim's shoes."

DARK FOREST is currently writing and rehearsing material for its third album, to be released later this year.

The band's second full-length CD, "Dawn Of Infinity", came out in 2011 via Cruz del Sur Music.

A young band based out of Birmingham, England, DARK FOREST has been knocking skulls around for a few years now, after the release of its self-titled debut album on Eyes Like Snow Records in January 2009. Their traditional take on heavy metal is as British-sounding as some of the best NWOBHM bands, reinterpreted with a modern production's punch able to make them stand out alone.

If your heart has a soft spot for IRON MAIDEN, ANGEL WITCH, ISEN TORR or early DEEP PURPLE, DARK FOREST boasts the kind of fist-pumping old-school classic metal to make your day.