“As an early fan of Sweden’s The Haunted, I was deeply disappointed by their seventh studio album, Unseen, released last year. Andy Synn loved the album, though he admitted in his review that it was a true “grower” and not without its flaws. I’m afraid it didn’t grow on me. Though it had its moments, it seemed instead like another milepost in the decline of a once invigorating band.”
That’s how I began a post on February 3 called “Remembering When The Haunted Were Worth A Shit”, which was about a curious turn of events in which The Haunted released a previously unreleased video for the song “99″ from their 2004 album, rEVOLVEr, which happens to be the last album from the band I really enjoyed. I wondered why was it being released then, eight years after it was made. I wondered if the band felt the need to remind fans of an earlier time when their music meant more to metalheads than it seems to mean today. But there are now bigger mysteries surrounding this band.
About four hours ago, The Haunted’s front man Peter Dolving left this message on his Facebook page:
“I am officially quitting The Haunted. After years of working with the band, I am out. I have had it. I will NOT answer questions to why. It’s no one elses business. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to seeing you people at other shows with other projects.”
Doesn’t sound like it was one of those “amicable partings”, does it?
I’ve not yet seen any official statement by the band. I’m sure many people will greet this development as a plus, and perhaps begin thinking about the return of Marco Aro, who Dolving replaced in 2003 (beginning his second stint with The Haunted), particularly since Aro’s band Face Down broke up last year. One way or another, change is on the way, and perhaps this development will prove to be the catalyst for the band’s return to its musical roots. I hope so. What do you think?
(Thanks for the tip on this Axel.)
5 Responses to “PETER DOLVING QUITS THE HAUNTED”
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YES, great news. Hopefully this means they’ll focus on some AT THE GATES dates while they search for a new songer. Or better yet, wait for MARCO to become available again, and then I’ll start giving a shit 🙂
But as long as this gives them time to do some AT THE GATES dates, especially in the USA, I’m all for this
Disheartening stuff. I always felt he gave them such distinctive character and style, as opposed to having some generically “angry-guy” screaming impotently over the top of things.
They’ve clearly been struggling to reconcile their divergent approaches for a long time now though, obviously things just reached breaking point.
Internet drama time!! Wooo! Shake that nasty pimply ass!
The debut album is a jolt of pure thrash intensity, the track listing just rolls over you like a freight train. Dolving added to those dynamics. I was stoked when he returned but in my personal opinion, the subsequent music was nowhere near the first.
BTW, Aro does sound like many other vocalists out there…….Dolving’s unique and frenzied attack will be missed.
Wait, does this mean that we might hear actual growls in the future? I own the album “One Kill Wonder” and I love it with a passion. For some reason Dolving’s vocals on the albums after it just didn’t do it for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next.