Shortly after Swedish power metallers Civil War released their third studio album The Last Full Measure via Napalm Records last year, vocalist Patrik Johansson decided to call it quits with the group. His departure was unexpected, leaving the band to inform their fans the following right before the holidays:
“Good evening to you all!
As some of you probably already noticed our vocalist Patrik suddenly left the band without any further notice. It came as a really big surprise to us all. We just had a meeting and we came to the conclusion that Civil War will go on, and all planned gigs and festivals will be done as planned! We’ll take the holidays now to let all this sink in and then we’ll start the hunt for a new singer after that.
Best Regards /Myhr,Mullback,Rikard and Petrus!
STAY TUNED!”
Since then, Civil War remained optimistic and hopeful. They accepted this change on New Year’s Eve when they announced auditions for a replacement vocalist:
“2016 has been a year of changes, to say the least. A lot of people that have influenced us in many ways has left this world,
and it’s very possible that people that will influence us in the future have been born.
Also for us there have been changes, but now we’re facing new year. A year with new challanges.
When we wake up tomorrow we’ll start our mission on finding a new singer for real by starting with sending out audition-songs.”
After a month long journey in search for a singer, Civil War found Kelly Sundown as their new vocalist.
“We proudly present Kelly Sundown as the new voice of Civil War!
He´s known for his work with Adagio, Beyond Twilight, Darkology, Epysode, Outworld, Zierler and touring singer for Firewind, he brings experience and huge talent into our ranks.
We are very happy to say that we found just the right person and powerful voice we’ve been looking for. Help us give the warmest welcome to Kelly. We are all very excited to write a new chapter in Civil War’s history together!”
