Mercyful Destiny on Tuesday introduced that they had determined to half methods with bassist Joey Vera, who had been performing within the reunited heavy steel band for the final 5 years. Saying the choice was mutual, Mercyful Destiny lead vocalist and bandleader King Diamond supplied a quick assertion.
Final yr, Vera, who additionally performs in Armored Saint and Fates Warning, did not take part in Mercyful Destiny’s first North American tour in 23 years due to a scheduling battle. He was changed on the highway by bassist Becky Baldwin.
See the band’s replace beneath.
In 2019, Vera took over on bass for late Mercyful Destiny co-founder Timi Hansen when the influential group reunited. It is at present unclear who will play bass in Mercyful Destiny going ahead.
READ MORE: Mercyful Destiny Albums Ranked
“Mercyful Destiny and Joey Vera have mutually determined to separate methods,” the band stated on Tuesday.
King Diamond stated, “Our friendship and respect for one another will at all times stay the identical, and all of us sincerely want one another the very best for the longer term.”
Initially upon their reformation, Vera was meant to fill in for Hansen, who had been battling most cancers, however grew to become Mercyful Destiny’s full-time bassist after Hansen’s demise in November 2019. The band’s reunion tour bought underway in Hanover, Germany in 2022, with the group enjoying their first dwell present since 1999.
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Mercyful Destiny Replace – Jan. 16, 2023
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Gallery Credit score: Chad Childers, Loudwire
