Ensiferum keyboard player Emmi Silvennoinen has left the band and been replaced by Netta Skog.
The Finnish folk metal outfit announced the change in a Facebook post, with Silvennoinen saying she is stepping down for family reasons.
Electric accordion player Skog is now onboard as a permanent member after a year as a touring musician.
Silvennoinen says: “Many of you have probably noticed that during the last year I have missed lots of gigs and now it’s time to put an end to all rumours.
“For family reasons, I have to step aside from Ensiferum. It’s been an amazing nine years. I have learned and seen so much all over the world. This decision was not made lightly.
“But every cloud has its silver lining and I couldn’t be any happier that my dear friend Netta will take my place in the band. I want to thank our fans around the world, everyone I met on the road and of course the guys in the band. There is no bad blood between us and I will always remain a part of the Ensiferum family.”
Skog adds: “With joy and respect, I hop in my lovely friend Emmi’s shoes. I’ve had time of my life during the last year with the Ensiferum guys and I’m thrilled about the upcoming tours, composing new material and all awesomeness that future will bring.”
Ensiferum released their sixth album One Man Army in 2015. The band have a number of tour dates lined up for 2016.
Ensiferum remaining 2016 tour dates
Apr 01: Lichtenfels Ragnarok Festival, Germany
Apr 02: Rotterdam Maasilo, Netherlands
Apr 03: Antwerp Trix, Belgium
Apr 04: Frankfurt Batschkapp, Germany
Apr 05: Esch Sur Alzette Kulturfabrik, Luxembourg
Apr 06: Hannover Musikzentrum
Apr 07: Copenhagen Amager Bio, Denmark
Apr 08: Leipzig Hellraiser, Germany
Apr 09: Vienna Szene Wien, Austria
Apr 10: Budapest Barba Negra club, Hungary
Apr 12: Bucharest Arenele Romane, Romania
Apr 13: Sofia Mixtape 5 Club, Bulgaria
Apr 14: Belgrade Dom Omladine, Serbia
Apr 15: Zagreb Vintage, Croatia
Apr 16: Burglengenfield VAZ Pfarrheim, Germany
Apr 17: Solothurn Kulturfabrik Kofmehl, Switzerland
Apr 18: Milan Fabrique, Italy
Apr 19: Karlsruhe Substage, Germany
Apr 20: Cologne Live Music Hall, Germany
Apr 21: Berlin Columbia Theater, Germany
Apr 30: Kopervik Karmoygeddon, Norway
Jun 10: St Goarshausen Rockfels, Germany
Jul 09: Ballenstedt Rockharz Open Air, Germany
Jul 23: Mexico City Hell & Heaven Fest, Mexico
Jul 29: Kiev Carpathian Alliance, Ukraine
Aug 06: St Maurice De Gourdans Sylak Open Air, France
Aug 11: Villena Leyendas Del Rock, Spain
Aug 25: Zyrakow Czad Festival, Poland
