ICED EARTH have announced that Brent Smedley will be stepping down from drum duty in the band for personal family reasons.

The new drummer will be Raphael Saini (pictured below) and will be performing with the group starting this summer.

"I have family members that are elderly and frail and need my help here in Jacksonville", Brent Smedley says.

"It's been one of the hardest decisions of my life but I simply cannot commit to the kind of schedule the band deserves and requires so I decided to ask permission to step down from my post."

"Brent has been a valued member of the group for a long time. We thank him for his contributions, friendship and energy and wish him all the best for the future. We want to welcome Raphael with open arms and are expecting for our fans to give him the welcome he deserves" - ICED EARTH.

As previously reported, ICED EARTH will be playing in Sofia on 2 February 2014.