Drummer and Guitarist Quit Metal Band Warbringer
Drummer Carlos Cruz and guitarist John Laux have announced they have left Californian thrash metal band Warbringer.
Though Cruz was only a member of Warbringer since 2011, Laux was an original member of the act, leaving vocalist John Kevill wondering whether or not Warbringer should trudge onwards.
Warbringer formed in 2004, quickly rising to underground success after releasing their 2008 debut album, ‘War Without End,’ via Century Media Records. Warbringer are now up to a total of four studio albums, while proving themselves to be some of metal’s hardest touring musicians. While on the road, Warbringer have toured with top-tier thrash legends such as Anthrax, Testament, Kreator, Overkill + many others.
In a May 10 Facebook post, John Kevill confirmed that Laux and Cruz had left the band before asking Warbringer fans if they’d like to see the act continue on:
So guys, all our fans and supporters, Kevill here up way too late drinkin’, there’s some bad news and as our awesome fans you guys deserve to know. I don’t feel right about our prolonged silence on this issue and I think it’s time we clear things up.
Drummer for the 3rd and 4th records Carlos Cruz and founding guitarist John Laux have left the band. This is a huge and devastating blow to us, and it makes even my own self doubt our future. Carlos made great contributions on the last two records, and John Laux started the band with me, we wrote our first songs together.
The more astute listeners have noticed this, as our last tour we did not have either of them on board. As for the why’s, I don’t entirely understand it myself, so I can’t provide a decent explanation here. I really wish I understood more than I do.
Still remaining is myself, founding member Adam Carroll (he’s back) and bassist of the fourth record Ben Mottsman.
This is why you haven’t heard much from us lately, why the nonstop touring machine has grinded to a halt, and why any updates here are more about the past than they are of the future.
Honestly I have my own doubts on if we can continue, or if it will be right if we do. At the same time, I started this band out of high school, it is my first and only band, and everything I feel I’ve accomplished in life that I can really be proud of is tied to this in one way or another. I have plenty of ideas left, and Adam has a million sweet riffs, and to be honest I never wanted this to be over, I wanted to tour straight through the fourth album and go onto the fifth. I felt like this band has evolved on every album, developed its own brand of ripping thrash metal, and I only wanted to continue that further.
So I need to ask all you guys, what do you think of this? In light of all I just said, do you want to hear another Warbringer record, or come see us again?
Basically, are you guys still with us?
At any rate, if you listen to any of the music we have made, remember to play it loud. Whatever the outcome may be, keep rocking.
-Kevill