Italian "extreme epic metal" act STORMLORD have parted ways with keyboardist Simone Scazzocchio. "There were no discussions or troubles with him, he was simply not interested in playing metal music anymore," the band write in a press release. "Our split has been friendly, we kept good relations and we wish him the best.
"After some months of auditions, now we are glad to introduce you Luca Bellanova, that's the new keyboard player of STORMLORD! Luca is 20 years old and a really talented musician, as well as a big fan of STORMLORD. He made his first appearance with the group at the recent show in Bergamo."
STORMLORD are currently writing the material for their fourth album, tentatively due in late 2006 via Scarlet Records. The follow-up to last year's "The Gorgon Cult" will feature a "much more epic direction" than that on its predecessor, "but with the same high skill quality level," according to the press release.