Asking Alexandria founder, guitarist and primary songwriter Ben Bruce has announced he's leaving the band.
In an Instagram story posted to the group's page this afternoon (January 19th), Bruce reveals that he'll be "stepping away from Asking Alexandria" to spend more time with his family.
"To my amazing AA family," Bruce wrote in the post. "First and foremost, I want to say thank you to everyone for the years of love and support. It means more to me than you can imagine.
"I've spent my entire life dedicated to music. It's been my first love since about the age of two and the journey I've been on has been absolutely incredible.
"As I've grown older and my life has inevitably changed, I have come to realize how precious time is. The time I have spent with all of you has been the time of my life. But now it's time to dedicate my life to my family.
"On top of family medical situations, leaving my children means missing out on too many important moments in their lives. It's so important for me to be there for them as they grow, and to be here f or my family as they need me to be.
Which means, after a lot of thought, I will be stepping away from Asking Alexandria. Thank you to everyone who has come and see my play live and listened to the songs I've written over the years.
"The memories will live on in my heart forever. I truly love you all so much for the years of support you've given me and Asking Alexandria.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Bruce formed Asking Alexandria as a teenager in 2006, a couple years before longtime bandmates Danny Worsnop, Cameron Liddell, James Cassells, and Sam Bettley would join the roster.
From their initial days as a polarizing yet wildly popular metalcore band, to their more recent shift into traditional rock, Bruce has remained the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of Asking Alexandria.
Surely, his absence will leave big shoes to fill in the band, and as of now, AA haven't revealed who'll be stepping in to take his place.
See a screenshot of Bruce's post announcing the split below.
