Guitarist Martin Haglund has decided to leave Astral Doors. Martin explains:

"This decision has not been easy to make, but its needed. I have reached a point where I feel I have to focus more on my kids and support them in their hobbies and interests, by doing that I'm not able to give Astral Doors 100%. I don´t want to be the one that´s holding the band back so I let go. I will continue playing, writing and record music but on a more suitable level. I´ll keep the metal flowing that´s for sure.

Being a member of Astral Doors has given me experiences and memories that I'll bring to the grave. I am truly proud of my time in Astral Doors and what we have accomplished and brought to the hard-rock scene. Thanks and hugs to all of you! Now Astral Doors will reload and hit you harder then ever."

Nils Patrik Johansson, singer of Astral Doors comments: "Martin is a great guy and we wish him all the best. He did a great job with the mixing of our previous album that's for sure. Hope the job he did with that album will open a lot of doors for him as a producer."

Astral Doors will not bring in a new guitar player in the band to replace Martin; Joachim Nordlund (founding member of Astral Doors, together with Johan Lindstedt and Nils Patrik Johansson) will from now on handle all guitars himself.

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Astral Doors