ONSLAUGHT Comments On Drummer's Departure

The remaining members of the U.K. thrash band ONSLAUGHT have released the following statement regarding the departure of their drummer and founding member, Steve Grice:

"Steve Grice's contribution to ONSLAUGHT was priceless, from its original inception and subsequent rebirth. We're sad to see Steve leave over what we felt was a genuinely small issue and on the eve of one of the longest tours in the band's history.

"We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for his tireless work and wish him every success in whatever path he chooses for the future, and just to say, as Steve moves on, so does ONSLAUGHT!"

Grice released a statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET in which he blamed his decision to quit ONSLAUGHT on "a series of events that, in [his] opinion, have seen the recurrence of old patterns of behavior that fuelled the band's original demise in 1991." He added, "This culmination of occurrences came to a head when I learned through a third party that the band had booked a series of shows without my knowledge, and with the intention of using another drummer, during a period of time reserved for family commitments. Be very clear — the temporary use of another drummer does not present me with a problem. My issue is with the fact that at no point did anyone from the band let me know that these decisions had been made." He continued, "Again in my opinion, there is a considerable gap between certain parties' view of ONSLAUGHT and the truth in terms of album sales and concert attendances. My reality, that of a father of two approaching 50, was simply incompatible with this alternate world view."

ONSLAUGHT has recruited Michael Hourihan (EXTREME NOISE TERROR, DESECRATION) to play the drums during the band's "Scream For Violence" tour starting on March 31 in Hamburg, Germany. According to a press release, the band is well rehearsed and prepared to perform a killer set, including songs that they have never played before such as "Shock And Awe" and "Rest In Pieces", among others.

ONSLAUGHT's "The Sound Of Violence" video can be viewed below. The band's first official clip in twenty years (the last being from the group's 1990 full-length, "In Search Of Sanity") was filmed and edited by Lukas Hambach of Bloodwork Entertainment (DESTRUCTION, GAMMA RAY) and produced by Tommy Morriello and Thosten Lütje.

"The Sound Of Violence" comes off ONSLAUGHT's fifth album, "Sounds Of Violence", which was released in January via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Killing Peace" was recorded and mixed at Hansen Studio in Ribe, Denmark with acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, MERCENARY, VOLBEAT, HEAVEN SHALL BURN).