Stampin' Ground UK Tour to Feature New Line up

Stampin' Ground will be hitting the road in the UK in November and December in support of their new album, A New Darkness Upon Us, released by Century Media in Europe on October 27th.

These shows will be the bands' first since their Sepultura UK support in July and the first with their new line-up, after long serving bassist Ian Glasper has decided to step down from the band.

Finding it increasingly difficult to give 100% commitment to the band, founder member Glasper is instead opting to concentrate on his family, his record label, writing a book and other journalistic interests. A full statement can be read below.

Ian did, however, want to finish the latest album before bowing out and Stampin’ Ground are pleased to announce that his permanent replacement is Ben Frost, former guitarist in UK metalcore band Unite. No stranger to Stampin’ Ground, Ben has known the guys for six years and was seen playing bass with the band on the Sepultura UK tour in July.

Stampin’ Ground guitarist Scott Atkins says: "Ben is a total all rounder, he plays guitar and bass, sings, is amazing on stage and is hungry to rock out with us."

Official statement from Ian Glasper: “Obviously, as one of the founding members of the band, it comes as a huge wrench, but after eight years as the bassist with Stampin’ Ground, I've decided to step down from the band.

This decision has been prompted by my increasing responsibilities elsewhere, not least of all to my wife and young daughter, which would be severely compromised by the level of commitment required of Stampin’ Ground to tour and promote the forthcoming new album to the degree it deserves.

My time with the band has been a blast - I've played with most of my favourite bands and traveled to places I never dreamt I'd see, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world - but it's very apparent that it's time for me to move on.

I believe that Stampin’ Ground's fourth album is by far the strongest record I've ever worked on with the band, so it's the perfect swansong for me, and to play the main stage at Download Festival as my last live show was another dream come true.

I would like to stress that this is an utterly amicable decision, I remain the best of friends with the guys in the band, and I wish them all the best for the future. I'd also like to extend my gratitude to everyone who has supported the band over the years and made it such a fun trip for me. Although it'll obviously be far more low-key than Stampin’ Ground, I'll be 'keeping my hand in' with several of my close friends in a new band called Suicide Watch, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for that.

I'm thrilled to hand over my role as bassist to Ben Frost, who has already played some shows with Stampin’ Ground when I was unable to make some European dates with Ignite and Agnostic Front a few years ago, and the recent dates opening for Sepultura. He was previously the guitarist/songwriter with Unite, who have toured extensively with Stampin’ Ground in the past and who were actually the first band I signed to my own label, Blackfish, so his appointment has karmic qualities attached to it as well! It's a great opportunity for Ben to tour internationally and it's nice to know that my bass lines are in safe hands with someone who genuinely understands the ethics of the band. Ian Glasper.”

Confirmed Stampin’ Ground UK tour dates include:

November
30 - Corporation - Sheffield, England

December
1 - King Tut’s - Glasgow, Scotland
2 - Academy - Manchester, England
3 - Josephs Well - Leeds, England
4 - Liverpool University - Liverpool, England
5 - Engine Room - Cardiff, England
6 - Zodiac - Oxford, England
7 - Wedgwood Rooms - Portsmouth, England
8 - Rock City - Nottingham, England
10 - Mean Fiddler (K-Fest) - London, England
11 - Guildhall - Gloucester, England
13 - Lemon Tree - Exeter, England
14 - Arts Centre - Colchester, England

Source: BW&BK