Swedish melodic death metallers Dark Tranquillity have amicably parted ways with bassist Daniel Antonsson.

Commented the band: "The decision has been growing for a while, and the main reason is that Daniel wanted to focus on his own musical projects as well as working more in his recording studio. Being first and foremost a guitarist, he felt that the playing bass in a full-time band didn’t allow him much time for his main instrument and true passion. With this in mind, he chose to follow his heart and step aside at this point instead of committing to another album and an intense touring cycle that would leave little room for other activities.

"We thank Daniel for his years in the band — filled with great shows and amazing memories and experiences in all corners of the world — and wish him all the best with his future musical career."

Added Antonsson: "I want to thank the guys in Dark Tranquillity and the amazing Dark Tranquillity fans around the world for the last four years of touring around the globe! It's been awesome! Also a huge hug to the Dark Tranquillity crew and all of the people working with us. I will miss you all very much! You are like family to me and I hope we will meet again soon! But...now is the time for me to follow my heart and again focus on my guitar playing and being a recording engineer/producer in my studio Gothenburg Rock Studios. We will meet again on the road or in the studio — that's for sure!"

Dark Tranquillity has set "Construct" as the title of its tenth studio album, due on May 27 via Century Media Records. The Cd will be mixed by Jens Bogren (Paradise Lost, Opeth, Katatonia) at his Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden.

Dark Tranquillity's next live appearance is scheduled for April in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Some European summer festivals are already announced and the band is also working on a North American tour for September.

Dark Tranquillity digitally released the "Zero Distance" Ep on October 22, 2012 in North America. Taken from the European tour edition of "We Are The Void" (2010), the five tracks on the Ep are a must-have for any diehard Dark Tranquillity fan.

Dark Tranquillity's ninth Cd, "We Are The Void", sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The effort landed at position No. 15 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.