A major change within Belgian death metal outfit Aborted was announced earlier today, as their long-time bassist Stefano Franceschini announced that he was stepping away to pursue higher learning.
Now, he hadn’t been touring with the band during their recent runs, as he was already in the midst of his educational journey, which started during the pandemic. According to a statement from the band, the initial intent was to continue without him until he got his PhD, at which point Franceschini would return to the fold. Sadly, he realized that “research doesn’t stop,” resulting in his exit from the band.
“Since the objective would be to keep pursuing the academic career, my availability to tour can’t but shrink even further. And this is why, in the most amicable way possible, the guys and I have agreed to part ways.”
According to the band, it’s not all one big bummer though, as Franceschini was able to record his bass parts on their upcoming album, so fans will be able to get a taste of the man’s bass playing one last time on what they’re calling “the best Aborted album yet.”
As it stands, Aborted are expected to take part in a tour this Spring with Carnifex, Revocation, and Vexed. Moving forward, Aborted will play on without a bass player on stage. In lieu of a permanent member in that position, they’re going to play with a backing track to cover the bass parts. There’s no word if they’ll eventually find a replacement at this time.
You can find the full statements from Franceschini and Aborted below, as well as the band’s list of tour dates this spring.
Stefano Franceschini:
“Hey, what’s up everyone? As you may have noticed during the band’s last couple of tours + EU festival run, I wasn’t rocking out on stage with the dudes as I regularly did until COVID. Long story short, after the pandemic hit, I had to reconsider my career (as lots of my fellow musicians did, I’m sure), so I got my degree and then applied for a Ph.D. position. Though this new job has proven professionally rewarding in many ways, it also kept me from doing what I loved doing the most until 2-3 years ago: touring. Besides four awesome, tightly-packed shows last year, I couldn’t join the guys on other equally successful occasions because of the schedule my Ph.D. program required me to follow. Since the objective would be to keep pursuing the academic career, my availability to tour can’t but shrink even further. And this is why, in the most amicable way possible, the guys and I have agreed to part ways. Keep in mind that those four gentlemen were sweet enough to wait until I would finish my studies to resume as a 5-piece, but that’s the thing with research: there’s never really an end to it; it’s an ongoing process with its full-time demands. In other words, I would never allow myself to slow down the band’s plans so that I could rejoin them ‘at my convenience.’
“I will never forget those first electrifying weeks when Sven first asked me if I would be interested in joining the band. I couldn’t believe it; I had just been asked to join one of my favorite metal bands (as cheesy as it sounds, it’s true!). Fast forward to the tour with Kreator, Sepultura, and Soilwork in 2017; the 70K Tons of Metal Cruise, my first US tour and first time in the US ever thanks to the band, and the Hell Over Europe II Tour (best tour ever, hands down), and the NZ/Aussie tour with TBDM (rest in power, Trevor) in 2018, followed by the most insane year touring-wise (all those crazy flights during the summer… LOL). Add to this pinch-me experiences 2 EPs and 2 records, and there you have the dream of any musician coming true.
“Typing these words is not easy. At the same time, however, I’m perfectly aware that not only have I been lucky enough to make these memories; I have been even luckier to be surrounded by the most wholesome fans, crew, agents, and, more importantly, bandmates through this incredible journey.
“Thank you Sven, Ian, Ken, Dan. You guys are truly family, and I love you immensely.
“Stefano
“PS: Actually, the albums are 3, because your fav Italian bass player is on the new one too!!!! And believe me. It effing bangs!!
“PPS: Sven, Ian, Ken, Dan – it’ll always be cake over pie. Period.”
Aborted statement:
“We’re sad to announce the departure of bassist Stefano Franceschini (click through ???? to see his full statement), as he continues his academic pursuits that kicked off during the pandemic. The original plan was for us to return to being a five-piece when he completed his PhD, but he’s since realized that research doesn’t stop.
“FORTUNATELY, he recorded on our upcoming album, so you’ll get to hear his immense talent one final time. You’re not ready for the best Aborted album yet!
“As for us, we will be continuing as we have been while Stef has been busy being smart and unable to tour: as a four-piece with backtracked bass, so Stef will be with us every time we take the stage.
“These photos are from the last show we played with Stef, the Cleveland date of Lorna Shore’s ‘Pain Remains’ tour. We’ll now treasure this moment forever, as we had no idea it would be our last time performing with him as a member of the band. He will be missed dearly, not only as an amazing musician, but as a true brother to all of us.”
Necromanteum EU/UK Tour 2024
16.03.24 DE – Köln / Essigfabrik
17.03.24 DE – Berlin / SO36
19.03.24 SE – Stockholm / Slaktkyrkan
20.03.24 SE – Gothenburg / Brewhouse
21.03.24 DK – Copenhagen / Amager Bio
22.03.24 NL – Hengelo / Metropool GZ
23.03.24 UK – London / Electric Brixton
24.03.24 UK – Manchester / Club Academy
25.03.24 UK – Bristol / SWX
27.03.24 FR – Paris / Le Machine Du Rouge
28.03.24 BE – Sint-Niklaas / Casino
29.03.24 CH – Pratteln / Z7
30.03.24 DE – Karlsruhe / Substage
31.03.24 DE – Munich / Technikum
01.04.24 IT – Milan / Legend
02.04.24 AT – Vienna / Arena
03.04.24 CZ – Prague / Palac Akropolis
04.04.24 PL – Wrocław / Zaklęte Rewiry
05.04.24 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser
06.04.24 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle
