Denata Replace Drummer/Vocalist Ponta Sjösten

Swedish thrashers Denata have formally parted ways with drummer/vocalist Ponta Sjösten, after the musician suffered serious damage to his ears.

"The illness grew stronger for each day and now he came to the point where he had to choose between the health and the music," explained Denata. "We wish him all the best in the future and hope to see him as assistance producer on our next album."

The band will enlist Åke Danielsson as the permanent replacement for Sjösten, and guitarist Tomas Andersson will now handle all vocal duties.

"Right now we are in progress of the pre production of our upcoming album," continued the band. "No dates are confirmed yet but if everything goes as planned we will enter studio Hell Smell with Mique from Seance as technician sometime during November - December 2002. The new release will fall under Arctic Music Groups wings and we are glad to work with them again. More details will come later."

Source: Digital Metal