Drummer Shannon Lucas Releases Statement: “I’m Stepping Back from Black Dahlia Murder to Focus on Other Things in Life”

Yesterday, we learned that drummer Shannon Lucas has been sitting out The Black Dahlia Murder’s current tour, and that Abigail Williams’ Alan Cassidy has been sitting in for him. Now Lucas has released a video statement on the matter, which you can watch below. The quick version is:

• Yes, he’s leaving The Black Dahlia Murder to focus on “other things.”
• He helped the band pick Cassidy as fill-in.
• Cassidy is not a permanent replacement; there is still no permanent replacement.
• He’s not leaving music altogether: he’s scheduled to begin tracking drums for his new project with Adam D. and Corpsegrinder in January, and has a grind project he’s been working on for awhile, and for which he’ll also track drums next year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ewXzuY-ClU

I’m sad to see Lucas leave The Black Dahlia Murder — I’m a massive fan of his drumming — but excited to hear these other projects he’s working on. And, as always, it’s nice when a band splits with a member on amicable terms, as seems to be the case here. So that’s all good.

And now we wait to see who will be the new permanent drummer in The Black Dahlia Murder ! Any predictions, fantasies, or fears? Shout ’em out in the comments section below.