Veteran Dutch death metal outfit Pestilence have announced a significant lineup change just ahead of their winter touring schedule. The band has officially welcomed Dario Rudić as their new full-time bassist. Rudić steps into the role following the departure of Roel Käller, who split with the group back in September.
The arrival of Rudić comes at a crucial time for the band, as they prepare to hit the road for a series of dates across Europe and the UK. The 44-year-old musician, hailing from Zadar in Croatia, expressed his disbelief and excitement at joining a band he has looked up to for decades.
“Hello, I’m Dario Rudić from Zadar, Croatia. I’m 44 years old and I’ve been playing music since I was 15,” he says. “I’ve been listening to metal my whole life and of course one of the first death metal bands was Pestilence, who were my role models then and now. Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that one day I would get the chance to play with these greats. I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with the masters from Pestilence and opening new musical Portals with them.”
Since their formation in 1986, Pestilence have remained a driving force in the genre, often cited alongside giants like Death, Cynic, and Atheist for their progressive approach to extreme metal. Led by founder and guitarist Patrick Mameli, the band has weathered various storms, including breakups and reunions, to remain a relevant force in the scene today.
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Fans can expect to see the new lineup in action very soon. Following a brief run in Italy and Spain, the band will arrive on British shores for the “Echoes of Horror” tour. This headlining run kicks off in Bristol on December 8th and concludes in London on December 14th. These shows will serve as a perfect opportunity to see the revitalised quartet before they turn their attention to the future.
The band continues to promote their 2021 album, Exitivm, which saw them charting on the Billboard 200, alongside a recent slate of remastered classic reissues including Consvming Impvlse and Testimony of the Ancients. Looking ahead, Mameli and his crew are working on a new studio album titled Portals, currently expected to land in 2026.
If you want to catch the new lineup live, you can see them at the following UK dates this December:
- 08/12 – Bristol, The Fleece
- 09/12 – Manchester, Rebellion
- 10/12 – Glasgow, Ivory Blacks
- 11/12 – Newcastle upon Tyne, The Groove
- 12/12 – Edinburgh, Bannerman’s Bar
- 13/12 – Sheffield, Corporation
- 14/12 – London, Camden Underworld
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