Opeth unveil new guitarist

After 16 years of service, Opeth have parted ways with guitarist Peter Lindgren.

"It is with sadness I announce that Opeth and I are going separate ways after almost 16 years," said Lindgren in an official statement. "The decision has been the toughest I've ever made but it is the right one to make at this point in my life. The reason behind this is that I feel that I simply have lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in a band that has grown from a few guys playing the music we love to a world-wide industry. The love of music has always been, and still is, our motive, but I personally have lost something along the way. The massive amount of touring has taken its toll.

"These years have easily been the best of my life and I will always cherish the memory of what we have experienced together. I would like to thank the band, our management, record label people, all the bands I've made friends with for everything. Most of all, I would like to thank the fans from the depth of my heart for the support throughout the years."

Lindgren's replacement is former Arch Enemy and Talisman guitarist Fredrik Akesson. The band are currently working on the follow-up to their 2005 break through album, ''Ghost Reveries', which will be released through Roadrunner early next year.