Kataklysm Drummer Taking a Break From the Band to Treat Alcohol Issues

Kataklysm drummer Max Duhamel is taking a break from the Montreal-based death metal band to address some personal matters.

Duhamel will not be performing on the band's new album Waiting for the End to Come, which is due out later this year or early 2014 via Nuclear Blast. While "taking a break" sounds a bit nebulous, Duhamel issued an honest and detailed statement about his status, revealing that he has alcohol issues that need to be treated.

Given the fact that his body is suffering from the effects of withdrawal and a general lack of health due to these issues as he has attempted to stop drinking, combined with the physically taxing nature of playing extreme death metal like that which Kataklysm does, he needs to get healthy and feels that he is unable to play to the best of his ability. Therefore, he is putting himself first, which is important and critical for his overall well-being, yet he is also unselfishly sitting this one out so the album can be as strong as possible.

Here is Duhamel's complete statement:

"Hello everyone, it is with an a extremely heavy heart that I announce today that I will not be performing on the new Kataklysm album. I have been struggling with many personal issues the last year but lately, the main one has been alcohol. It's been affecting my body in a very negative way to the point that when I came home after the Ex Deo tour we just did, I tried to stop drinking for few days and it's been very hard without having any with drawls [sic] symptoms. I've also lost a lot of weight as some of noticed recently and I'm not in good shape.

"I've heard the new material my brothers have written and its truly incredible stuff. It's really some of the best music the band has ever done but it's going to be a very demanding album and my state of mind and body is not ready to confront this big task right now. I need to clean my body and my mind and come back focused to Kataklysm and I don't know how long this will take.

"The guys have reached out to help in any way they can, which I can't thank them enough. I'm truly blessed to have them as a family, so as I start my road to recovery I send this message to all of you and thank you for all the support. It's time to take my life in my hands and take responsibility, I will not be attending the Juno Awards ceremony in two weeks for Ex Deo nominations, but I will close my contract with the shows in May that are left. Extremefest, Beastival in Germany and Metalfest Cszech Rep will be my last shows until I'm ready again to come back in full form, you guys deserve the best of me. See you later."

Noisecreep wishes Duhamel the best in treating his issues and hopes that he is able to get back into fighting shape, so to speak!