News.RttP{Hate Eternal's Erik Rutan responds to Derek Roddy & Announces New Drummer}

Hate Eternal's Erik Rutan responds to Derek Roddy & Announces New Drummer

If you've been following the metal online press over the last few days
you're aware that drummer Derek Roddy has parted ways with Hate Eternal.
Unfortunately this departure was at a crucial time for Hate Eternal as the
band are scheduled for a well advertised tour with Chiamaira and Arch Enemy
in only a matter of days. In an effort to persevere like he has done so many
times, Erik Rutan sought out a replacement to sit behind the kit for the
tour. Erik has found that replacement in Kevin Talley. Kevin has played in a
number of bands, namely Chimaira and Dying Fetus. We are excited for the
tour and look forward to hearing how Talley will effect the live sound. Erik
Rutan sent us this message to acknowledge and confront everything said by
Roddy in his press release:

HATE ETERNAL ALIVE AND STRONGER THAN EVER!!!!

First off,I want to say that Hate Eternal WILL NOT be cancelling any
upcoming tour dates,PERIOD!We are very much looking forward to seeing
everyone next week on the Chimaira/Arch Enemy tour as well as seeing you
loyal sick maniacs in Europe who have been so patiently waiting to see us
for over a year.

At this point we would like to announce that Kevin Talley will be stepping
up to the plate and filling in on drums for the upcoming US Chimaira/Arch
Enemy tour.Kevin is an amazing talent that we very much look forward to
touring with and we want to thank him sincerely for his help in fulfilling
our committment.

Regarding Derek Roddy,He has left Hate Eternal with very little warning and
I want to set the story straight.We wish to take the high road here so there
will be no mud slinging and whining,just facts.Randy and I spoke to Derek
this past weekend and he informed us that a situation in his life had arisen
which might stop him from doing these tours and force him to leave the
band.But if everything turned out ok,he would fulfill his obligation to the
band and fulfill our touring committments .We did not hear from Derek since
that conversation and the next thing we know,48 hours later,I get a phone
call from a friend stating about Dereks press release with him quitting the
band in which we had no prior knowledge of, contradicting our conversation 2
days prior.I found out like everyone else did online!

Regarding the content of his press release, we Hate Eternal have never
stopped or restrained Derek from playing, recording or touring with any
other projects(He has recorded multiple albums during the 6 years of Hate
Eternal with Council of the Fallen,Aurora Borealis,Nile,plus doing drum
clinics,his instructional videos and his new project with Alex Webster).So
we found his statement quite a contradiction and shocking to say the least.I
still have not spoken to Derek since this and
have no idea where his head is at.No one has supported Derek more than Randy
and I for the last 6 years and we have made many sacrifices for Derek to be
a part of this band.Anyone and everyone in this buisness knows if you think
you are going to make tons of cash playing metal,than you are in it for the
wrong reasons,that is why we have been supportive in Derek making money with
his other projects,clinics,dvds,etc..We as a band have had financial
setbacks with a van accident and being stranded in Canada forcing us to
cancel many shows but every other tour we have done has made financial gain
, not a ton
of cash,but in the green.What band has not had financial woes.Hate Eternal
has helped Derek become a very well known drummer,sell dvd instructional
videos,endorsements ,etc and make tons of fans of Dereks drumming.After 6
years of playing together we would have hoped that he would leave on better
terms than he did ,but life goes on.We wish Derek luck in his future
endeavors.

Nothing will stop Hate Eternal!!

Sincerely,
Erik Rutan
Hate Eternal