Shortly after finishing the European tour promoting their new opus, In The Passing Light Of Day, Pain Of Salvation lost one of their members, as Ragnar Sólberg decided to leave the band. The guitarist posted a long statement explaining that personal misunderstandings with the band's leader, Daniel Gildenlöw, were impossible to handle, and he was asked to leave the band.

Ragnar Sólberg said: "As it turned out, everybody worked on the album as a team, but as soon as our album was finished last year, the band leader started acting in a very similar manner as what we have been seeing of the band Ghost recently. It was clear that this was not 'our' album anymore, but his. I got payed a small amount of 1000 euros for my work for those 2 years, that did not even cover my travel expenses," reads the statement.

"I have spoken my mind about all of this while still doing what I could to keep a professional relation towards everything, after all it is also my music that we have been playing and I have wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible despite the unjust treatment I have faced. Instead of making amends, offering better salary or even giving credit where it's due I was instead asked by Daniel to leave the band yesterday."

The full statement can be read here.




Daniel Gildenlöw released a response and announced that former member Johan Hallgren is going to step in and replace Sólberg.

"After a few years of working together with Ragnar, I feel that we have come to a point where it is necessary to part ways. It feels very sad, because we are losing a great vocalist and stage personality in Ragnar. It felt great writing the new album together with him, and I am very thankful for that time. We all are. But with time it has become clear that his true place is not in this band. Musically, it has worked very well, but there are so many other variables that need to click in order to make a band strong and stable."

"All scheduled shows will happen as planned. How? Well, we are happy to announce that, starting today, Johan Hallgren will be returning to the band as a full member again, and we will go full throttle ahead through this. We are very happy about seeing him back onboard, and we are sure you will accept him back with open arms, as will we."

Johan Hallgren added: "Already when I quit the band, I felt that I really wanted to come back. This feels fun as hell, and I will go into this with full force - hook, line and sinker. I have promised myself to supersede everyone's expectations of my return. This is something I know well, and I am damn good at it. And more than that, I have really missed them all - it's a wonderful gang!"

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Pain Of Salvation