Evanescence guitarist John LeCompt and drummer Rocky Gray are no longer with the group following what appears to be an ugly falling out with lead singer Amy Lee.
"John and Rocky were in Evanescence for four years and we shared some great times together playing live, but they were ready to move on and so we have parted ways," Lee wrote in a blog entry posted yesterday (5/6) at the band's MySpace page. "Evanescence is something I have loved and nurtured since I was fourteen, and I will continue to protect and fight for it as I always have."
LeCompt cast a less amicable light on the breakup.
"Around 3:30 pm yesterday I received a call on my cell from Amy," he wrote in a blog entry posted at his personal MySpace page. "This call wasn't from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason. ... I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life. It's funny how many of us there are now."
Founding Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody split with the group in 2003 and was replaced by Terry Balsamo (Cold); bassist Will Boyd exited last year and was replaced by Tim McCord (Revolution Smile).
"... I know that many of you think [Amy Lee] is some genius or savior of some kind," LeCompt added. "I just want you to know that my family and I will forever remember her as being about as deep as the shallow end of a child's wading pool and her lyrics about as deep as the 2 dimensional surface that they were written on. Singing beautifully for the duration of a record or two can move the spirit of the people listening, but the way you treat those around you who you are supposed to care about speaks volumes more than that and I would hope that some of you are listening."
So far, Gray has limited his remarks to a statement in which he essentially said he is not legally permitted to comment on the nature of the split.
"Amy Lee's management emailed me last night to tell me that, in their view, the contract I signed to record, perform and tour with the group says that I'm not allowed to have any free speech in regard to Evanescence," he said. "The way they spin it, I'm not even allowed to say I quit the group, I guess. But the news is out there, so, there ya' go. I need to have a lawyer read over all that mess to tell me what, when and how I can tell you all the REAL FANS what really went down, if I ever can, haha."
Gray and LeCompt plan to continue their work together in a new band dubbed Machina, which LeCompt said in his blog posting will be doing some major-label showcases in New York this month.
Meanwhile, Lee said in her blog posting that the shake up won't affect the band's tour plans, which include an upcoming run on the European festival circuit, and a co-headlining slot on Korn's Family Values Tour.
"Terry, Tim and I are very excited to play live with some amazing new musicians and we will rock harder than ever," she wrote. "Stay tuned for more news on that front. And don't worry about the tour, guys."
Evanescence released its latest album, "The Open Door," last October. The disc, which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart, features the group's latest single, "Sweet Sacrifice."