\"As the band now rapidly continues to grow for each year, the time and commitment needed for being in studio and on tours increase. Not really wanting this, Johan chose to include the whole band in his doubts regarding this directly from the start, and now when the time has finally come.\"

The search for a new drummer has started, though Johan Langell will stay for the remaining gigs this year, and has also offered to help teach any new drummer his or her parts. Comments the drummer:

\"After having been the drummer of Pain Of Salvation for more than 17 years, I have decided to leave the band. At this point, many of you may wonder why, and the answer is quite simple. For a few years now I have increasingly felt that the joy and passion of playing drums has diminished, to the point where I feel that I just can\'t go on anymore. Looking back, I can see that this process started already five years back, when I became a father. Since then, my priorities have shifted more and more from music and playing drums to family, and I have caught myself feeling jealous of friends who lead typical and normal family lives. Some people might find this strange, considering the position and success of Pain Of Salvation, but this is actually part of the problem. The bigger the band gets, the more time and devotion is required, and as for myself, family comes first now. That\'s where I want to spend my time and devotion. I have had difficulties going on tour and spending time away from home, even if it\'s only a week.\"

If you want a chance to see Pain Of Salvation with Johan behind the drums, you need to see any of the shows they have planned for the rest of 2007.

Johan Langell used Pearl MBX drums with two 22\" bassdrums for may years. More recently he switched to East drums, along with Evans heads on his toms and Remo on his snare drum, Sabian cymbals, and Tama\'s Power Tower System to hold all parts together.