Bassist and founding member of German heavy metal veterans Accept Peter Baltes has just announced that after more than forty years with the group, he is leaving. He did not give any particular reasons for his departure, only a brief statement at the band's official Facebook page.

Peter Baltes commented: "To all Accept fans: I hereby like to announce my departure as bass player from Accept. I have been with the band from the very beginning. Many of you have been there as well. I like to thank you all for the great years we shared together. Keep it Metal. Peter."

A statement from the rest of the band members as follows: "We are all heart broken! Peter needed a change in his life and we wish him all the best. He will always be part of the Accept Family and to honor his tribute to music history, we should all wish him well. Gaby, Wolf, Mark, Uwe & Christopher ...indeed Accept WILL KEEP IT METAL!"

Guitarist/founding member Wolf Hoffmann adds: "We spent four decades together and went through thick and thin, ups and downs and I remember some incredible moments on stage. There was a blind understanding between us, personally and musically, that is very rare in this business. Looking back, I will forever cherish the carefree early years, the countless hours we spent writing songs, goofing around or roaming the cities together on tour - just having a good ol'time!

"Especially these last 10 years, after the revival of Accept being so much fun and so successful that I thought we would continue forever and sail into the proverbial sunset together - maybe until one of us would drop dead on stage. But I guess I was wrong, it wasn't meant to be. To see Peter leave Accept now saddens me immensely but there's nothing I can do but to wish him well - hoping that this is the right decision for him and that he will find whatever he is looking for ...I will certainly miss my musical brother!

"One thing is certain, however: Accept will continue full steam ahead!"

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Accept