FFDP (Stephen Jensen / F3 Studios)

LAS VEGAS (CelebrityAccess) — American metal band Five Finger Death Punch (FFDP) announced that it has officially parted ways with guitarist longtime guitarist Jason Hook.

Hook joined the band in 209, replacing Darrel Roberts following his brief tenure with the group but he was forced to take a hiatus in February during the band’s sold-out European arena tour due to unexpected medical complications following an emergency gall bladder surgery in 2019.

Stepping in for Hook on the guitar will be British guitarist Andy James, who recently appeared on a 55DP’s recent single “Broken World.”

Hook’s departure from the band appears to be amicable and in a press statement announcing his exit, he said:

“I have had the pleasure of meeting so many of you in person. Thank you for the endless stories of how our music has touched your heart in some way! But the best part of being on tour the last 12 years, by far, has been playing my guitar and seeing the joy on your faces every night. I will miss that more than anything. As far the reason I’m leaving…well, there really isn’t just one. I’ve been in bands my entire life and I feel like I’ve done all the good that I can here. It’s time to pass the baton and move on to new challenges.”

“Jason is an incredible guitar player so we had to find someone on the absolute top of their game. Someone like Andy James who was already a well-known virtuoso and had the chops to step into Jason’s shoes. Andy completed our European Tour with us back in February so he was already tried by fire. We instantly clicked both musically and personally so he was the obvious choice. We even have the same birthday… Some things are just meant to be,” added bandmate and founding member Zoltan Bathory.

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