Henrik Olsson and Benjamin Ellis Have Quit Scar Symmetry, Replacements Named

Some
major
changes
have
taken
place
within
the

Scar
Symmetry
camp,
as
the
melodic
death
metal
act
announced
earlier
that
their
drummer,
lyricist,
and
founding
member
Henrik
Olsson
and
guitarist
Benjamin
Ellis
have
both
quit
the
band.

According
to
a
statement
from
the
band,
Olsson
opted
to
walk
away
from
the
band
he
helped
create
back
in
2004
so
he
could
focus
on
his
family
life,
while
Ellis
reportedly
left
to
seek
other
musical
opportunities.

In
light
of
those
massive
changes,
the
band
announced
that
former
Carnal
Forge
and
ex-Nightrage
drummer
Lawrence
Dinamarca
will
take
Olsson’s
spot
behind
the
kit,
while
Devin
Townsend
live
band
guitarist
Stephen
Platt
will
take
Ellis’
place.

In
the
interest
of
clarity,
here
is
the
band’s
complete
statement
on
the
matter:

“We
regret
to
announce
the
departure
of
our
drummer,
lyricist
and
founding
member
Henrik
Olsson
and
our
guitarist
Benjamin
Ellis.

“This
year
it’s
been
20
years
since
Henrik,
Jonas
and
I
formed
Scar
Symmetry.
Little
did
we
know
when
we
recorded
the
demo
for
the
song
Seeds
of
Rebellion
that
it
would
sow
the
seeds
for
a
two-decade
long
progressive
melodeath
journey
that
has
taken
us
to
places
beyond
our
wildest
dreams.
We
created
seven
Scar
Symmetry
albums
together
that
we
are
immensely
proud
of,
and
Henrik’s
drumming
and
awe-inspiring
lyrics
have
played
a
big
part
in
our
enduring
success.

“Due
to
family
reasons,
Henrik
couldn’t
join
us
when
we
returned
to
the
stages
post-covid
in
2022
and
he
has
been
sitting
out
all
shows
since.
He
has
now
made
the
decision
to
leave
the
band
to
continue
to
focus
on
his
family
as
well
as
on
other
musical
endeavours.
While
we
will
continue
to
miss
him
dearly
–
we
did
our
last
show
with
him
in
2019
–
we
do
understand
and
respect
his
decision.
We
are
so
grateful
for
the
creativity,
passion
and
energy
that
Henrik
has
fueled
the
band
with
and
we
wish
him
nothing
but
the
very
best
as
he
moves
on
to
the
next
chapter
of
his
life
and
career.

“After
a
couple
of
tours
as
a
session
player,
Benjamin
joined
the
band
in
2016
and
toured
with
us
up
until
the
end
of
2022.
A
consummate
professional,
Benjamin’s
live
performances
were
immaculate,
as
were
the
guitar
solos
he
contributed
to
last
year’s
release,
our
comeback
album
The
Singularity
(Phase
II
–
Xenotaph).
Benjamin
has
been
working
on
some
seriously
delicious
music
of
his
own
for
years
now
and
the
time
has
come
for
him
to
step
down
from
Scar
Symmetry
and
to
reveal
his
future
musical
plans.
We
thank
him
for
his
hard
work
and
dedication
and
we
are
looking
forward
to
following
him
on
his
continued
journeys.

“So,
without
further
ado…
Let’s
present
the
new
guys!

“It
is
our
utmost
pleasure
and
honor
to
welcome
Lawrence
Dinamarca
into
the
band!
Lawrence
is
a
real
drummer’s
drummer;
he
was
hand-picked
by
Henrik
to
take
over
the
live
duties
in
2022
and
has
been
touring
with
us
ever
since.
This
tornado
of
a
drummer
has
played
with
bands
like
Nightrage,
Carnal
Forge,
Manticora
and
Loch
Vostok
in
the
past
and
the
fierceness
of
his
playing
is
in
stark
contrast
with
his
gentle
personality!

“Let’s
set
the
scene
for
our
next
introduction:
a
couple
of
years
back,
I
went
to
a
Devin
Townsend
show
and
was
blown
away
by
the
guitarist
in
his
band,
a
Mancunian
guitar
phenomenon
who
was
celebrating
his
35th
birthday
that
very
day!
After
the
show,
at
the
bar,
we
were
introduced
to
each
other
and
I
immediately
broke
out
in
song,
singing
‘HAPPY
BIRTHDAY’
at
the
top
of
my
lungs,
getting
the
help
of
a
loosely
assembled
choir
consisting
of
other
people
from
the
touring
party
as
well
as
random
bar
patrons.
Our
birthday
boy
was
surprised
but
probably
not
as
surprised
as
when
I
called
him
up,
about
a
year
later,
asking
him
to
start
touring
with
us.
It
is
our
honor
and
utmost
pleasure
to
welcome
mr
Stephen
Platt
into
the
fold!

“Please
give
Lawrence
and
Stephen
a
very
warm
welcome
as
well
as
your
best
wishes
for
Henrik
and
Benjamin!”