Swedish metallers SABATON have parted ways with guitarist Thobbe Englund. Thobbe will play his final gig with SABATON in August in the band's hometown of Falun, at the group's Sabaton Open Air festival, as part of a release party for SABATON's new album, "The Last Stand". The band states: "We wish him nothing but success and good luck in the future, and we salute him for all the good years and the fantastic moments we shared both on and off the stage!" Says Englund in a statement: "Today I have decided to announce my leave from SABATON. Why? …many may ask. "There is this thing that I truly believe in, and that is that one should always follow the heart. I have in recent years become more aware of what would make me feel real happiness and content, and that is to expand my own creativeness in combination with a somewhat stiller life, where I will not tour all year round at the speed of light. "Unfortunately, as a consequence, I will not be able to meet all of you wonderful people out there, which is sad, and I'm really gonna miss you all. But I will still be making music, of course, and as I am writing this I am making plans for the future. "During the many years of touring with SABATON, we have become like brothers. Together with the best crew in the world, we've had a true blast and there is a bond between all of us that cannot be broken. Therefore I find no reason to be sentimental, because brothers and sisters are friends for life, and the future is bright!" "The Last Stand" will be released on August 19 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2014's "Heroes" was once again produced by Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, LINDEMANN, HYPOCRISY) and it "marks a brand new chapter in SABATON history," according to a press release.
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