There has been a ripple effect after Nervosa announced a major lineup change when Fernanda Lira (vocalist/bassist) and Luana Dametto (drummer) quit the band. The two have eventually announced their new project, Crypta, which features Burning Witches guitarist Sonia “Anubis” Nusselder. With that being said, Sonia decided to quit Burning Witches in order to focus on the new band. The group issued a statement expressing it was more difficult than they thought to keep an all girl band together. However, they are doing what they can to not give up and are currently looking for “a new witch.” Sonia joined the group in 2018 who originally replaced guitarist Alea Wyss and worked on albums 2018’s Hexenhammer and 2020’s Dance With the Devil.
Read the band’s full statement below:
“MANY SAW IT COMING: SONIA HAS LEFT THE BURNING WITCHES!
Yes, indeed to keep a girl band together is more difficult than we thought. Nobody wanted to sign us as a band, with the argument that woman-bands do not last. Well it seems THAT Curse is real! But we will NOT give up!
Sonia has left us for her new project. We saw this coming and we have to accept it. People change and people move on. We wish her all the best!
For us as a Band this means we have to work harder. We will continue our path and will of course look for a new Witch!
But first of all, this Friday, we will have a LIVE JAM with some amazing girls and friends. More news on Wednesday! Please stay tuned!
We will take our time to search and announce the new lead player, please understand we are as shocked as you are. We will use the Corona-times useful, to choose the right person for our lead guitarist position.
The backbone of the band will remain strong, in friendship and musically. We are already working on new songs and are TOP motivated to return on stage.
We want to thank all the fans for the amazing support and will keep you posted about our future moves! Stay positive! It sounds like a cliché but it was never more meaningful than now: WE ARE READY TO FIGHT!!!
Romana wants to add the following:
“Beloved BURNING WITCHES fans, we are certainly sad about the decision of Sonia to leave us, but at the same time I am more encouraged and I look forward with pride to our future shows and the next challenges!
We have an outstanding team together, so you don‘t have to worry, we are gonna give our very best!
Thank you all so much for understanding and trusting us, only the one who is wholeheartedly dedicated to the band is a real WITCH!”
Sonias stated: “Dear Witches disciples, for personal reasons and with a lot of deliberation, I have decidedto fully dedicate myself to CRYPTA and COBRA SPELL and to leave BURNING WITCHES.
The last 2,5 years were FULL of amazing and priceless experiences, it made many of my dreams become reality and I always put all my passion and love for music into it. This journey also opened many doors for new challenges that I am overly anxious to pursue. Such as starting my own bands, writing my own music and push that further.
I am extremely thankful for my my dear family, friends and of course all the wonderful fans for the immense support. I deeply thank the band and the management for the fantastic concert/stage moments, traveling the world, being part of 2 fantastic BURNING WITCHES full-length albums that I will for ever look up to.
This is was a very hard decision, but sometimes you can’t pursue a bigger dream, without giving up a meaningful one in return. I will continue my musical path with full passion for music and for the fans!
I wish BURNING WITCHES all the very best of success!”
Please read her full statement on her media pages.
The BURNING WITCHES will of course continue – check in next Friday May 29th for a „Live from the studio“ session with guests!”
This Friday (29th) the group will have a live acoustic Corona Jam at 7PM CET/ 1PM EST. Musical guests for the stream will be announced tomorrow (27th).
“THANKS TO ALL THE FANS & LIVE-JAM ANNOUNCEMENT!
Thanks a lot for the fantastic understanding & the great support we got yesterday from our amazing fans. ❤️
You truly stood by our side in difficult times, just like a good friend, that was so lovely and means a lot to us. 😀
There is no time to waste, we have a CORONA ACOUSTIC JAM for you this week, live at the studio and with some terrific friends as special guests.
This Wednesday we will have the announcement of our guests for you, the acoustic video stream will be online LIVE on Friday the 29th of May at 19.00 CET. Please tune in for this special event in those difficult times.
We are very excited – see you all Friday!!!”
