This past week, Vio-lence announced somewhat cryptically that they are parting ways with guitarist Bobby Gustafson. In a social media post announcing the lineup change, the band say they parted ways due to “logistical difficulties that weigh too heavy to function in a productive manner.”
“Vio-lence and Bobby Gustafson have agreed to part ways effective immediately.
“The band cites ‘logistical difficulties that weigh too heavy to function in a productive manner’. Remaining members all ‘thank Bobby for his time in the band and all his Vio-lence efforts.
“We wish him the very best.”
Cryptic, we know, but it’s likely referring to schedules or travel distances. At least this seems to be a fairly mutual decision. It’s unclear exactly what is going on with the band in light of this recent announcement, but it does appear that Vio-lence intend to complete their European tour.
Gustafson was originally in Overkill and joined Vio-lence in 2020, at the time filling in for guitarist Ray Vegas.
As of now, there is no other information available on the decision, and the band have not made any statements except for the one above. It appears that Gustafson has still been re-sharing and promoting posts about the band’s MTV Headbangers Ball 2022 tour dates.
Tour dates for the run are as follows:
November
23 – Amersfoot, Netherlands – Fluor
24 – Hamburg, Germany – Kulturpalast
25 – Mannheim, Germany – MS Connexion Complex
26 – Zlin, Czech Republic – Masters Of Rock Café
27 – Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
28 – Regensburg, Germany – Airport Eventhall
29 – Stuttgart, Germany – LKA Longhorn
30 – Zurich, Switzerland – Alte Kaserne
December
1 – Brussels, Belgium – La Madeleine
2 – Essen, Germany – Turock
3 – Aarhus, Denmark – Voxhall
4 – Stockholm, Sweden – Slaktkyrkan
5 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Trädgarn
Vio-lence released an EP earlier this year via Metal Blade Records titled Let the World Burn. It’s available on streaming platforms now and numerous formats are still available. Later this month, the band will release a reissue of their 1988 debut effort, Eternal Nightmare, which is available for preorder today via Metal Blade Records.