WARBRINGER announces new drummer

Upon returning home from their first European tour earlier this summer, in support of Napalm Death and Suffocation, WARBRINGER found itself one member short. While the group had just made touring bassist Ben Bennett official after 6 months of live shows together, since original bass player, Andy Laux, was still in high school, they, now had to begin to replace then-drummer Ryan Bates after he informed them he wished to leave the band.

Fortunately, after putting a number of potential candidates through the wringer, the very talented Nic Ritter won the band over with his diverse and technical style. Ritter, 27, had been playing with progressive thrash act Prototype, a band whose song "The Way It Ends" was a bonus cut on Guitar Hero III, since relocating to LA from San Diego. He has also been keeping busy with his death/grind side-project, Bodybag Johnny. WARBRINGER's recent show in Mesa, Arizona last weekend was his first with the band and from all reports the group didn't miss a beat. You can catch a glimpse of his capabilities via video on his MySpace page (myspace.com/nicritter).

Ritter had the following to say about his induction into the band: "I have been working at getting in a legit, professional band for a while now, and I feel this band is a great fit for me. I can't wait to get on the road and play with the new and improved WARBRINGER lineup. We are already throwing around ideas for the next album and I can't wait to write and record it with the rest of the band. It's going to be brutal!"

Also speaking to the potential of the new album, Bennett added: "I gladly look forward to contributing with riffs and songs for the new album. Oh and by the way, expect some fat bass in the future of WARBRINGER."

Under an arduous life of non-stop touring, the band has certainly approached its developing career much like the title of its debut full-length, "War Without End." However, as young as some of these guys might be, they understand that along the road to reward there will be a few unexpected bumps, and with a new drummer and a permanent bass player they're ready to show Wacken their best lineup yet on August 2nd.

Soon after their return from Europe, where they'll tour with Sworn Enemy and All Shall Perish, WARBRINGER will embark on a North American tour beginning Aug. 22 with label mates and blackened folk metallers Finntroll. This will be the band's third tour of the States after sharing stages with the likes of Exodus, Goatwhore, Nile, Suicide Silence and others. Check the dates below:

w/ Bonded By Blood, Avenger of Blood, Meltdown & Exmortus
07/18 Mutant House – Chino, CA
w/Possessed
07/19 The Jumping Turtle – San Marcos, CA
w/Merciless Death & Hatchet
07/25 The Black Castle – Los Angeles, CA

w/Finntroll
08/22 Jaxx – Springfield, VA
08/23 The Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA
08/24 BB Kings – New York, NY
08/25 Middle East – Cambridge, MA
08/26 Club Soda – Montreal, QC
08/27 Imperial d'Quebec – Quebec City, QC
08/28 The Opera House – Toronto, ON
08/29 Peabody's – Cleveland, OH
08/30 The Pearl Room – Mokena, IL
08/31 Triple Rock Social Club – Minneapolis, MN
09/01 Garrick Centre – Winnipeg, MB
09/02 The Exchange – Regina, SK
09/03 The Warehouse – Calgary, AB
09/04 Starlite Ballroom – Edmonton, AB
09/06 Sugar – Victoria, BC
09/07 Plaza Club – Vancouver, BC
09/08 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
09/09 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
09/10 Slim's – San Francisco, CA
09/11 House of Blues – W. Hollywood, CA
09/12 The Jumping Turtle – San Marcos, CA

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Tags:  Warbringer, Napalm Death, Nic Ritter, drummer, Finntroll

jason    July 17, 2008