"The time has come, my friends for me to step down from my position as vocalist of the greatest band in the world!

"I feel I've reached a stand still in the creative process with Darkane and together we came to the decision to let fresh blood into the band for the upcoming fifth album. Darkane is constantly evolving and I'm sure that this ignition will be great for the band.

"We certainly part ways as very good friends and we're in fact still working together on finishing the long-awaited DVD. Hopefully the Darkane 'Layers of Live' DVD will be released this autumn and, in a way, sum up my seven years with Darkane and be the perfect closure.

"I feel very honored and privileged to have been a part of such a great musicianship as Darkane and I have tons of great memories from all we've experienced together. I'm really gonna miss it!

"I want to send out a great big thanks to all the people I've met and gotten to know over these seven years! To all family and friends for supporting me and the band. To all the great bands we've met, played and toured with, especially to Devin Townsend (I wouldn't have made it through the U.S. without you!). To all the crew that has helped us out over the years. To Erin Lynch for believing in us and coping with all our bad habits, misshapes, accidents and illnesses (You sure are the Darkane tour mama!). To the Nuclear Blast crew, in Europe as well as in the USA (Thanks for helping me fulfill one of my biggest dreams, Gerardo! Keep working those vocals, Loana, and keep your enthusiasm flowing!). To all the fanzines that spread the word about metal all over the world. Your work is extremely important and appreciated! And finally a HUGE thanks to all the fans all over the world for coming to the shows and supporting Darkane! You are my, and Darkane's, true inspiration!"

The remaining members of Darkane have issued the following statement regarding Andreas' departure:

"We can look back at seven great years together with Andreas. He joined us as a stand in for Lawrence on a small tour with Soilwork and Naglfar in March 1999. After the first show of the tour it was clear that he was the guy we were looking for! Since then Andreas has sung on three albums and participated on tours with Darkane in Europe, U.S., Japan and Israel. We have had a lot of fun together and Andreas has always been the helpful, happy and friendly guy in the band.

"We sure are gonna miss you, and we know that you'll reach a lot of success with whatever you do in the future! We would like to wish you all the happiness and success and thanks a lot for being a part of Darkane!"

Darkane's upcoming DVD was shot in May 2006 in the band's hometown of Helsingborg, Sweden. The band last year completed a European tour in support of their fourth album, "Layers of Lies", available now on Nuclear Blast Records. It is the follow-up to the band's third studio CD, Expanding Senses, which was released in 2002.