"We want to keep this respectful, so without going into much detail, Mike and the rest of us had serious differences of opinions. Mike did formally resign from the band, and he has since been replaced with Dave Culross."

Mike, who was one of the founders of Suffocation, states on his website:

"There are not many things related to the Suffocation brand I can honestly say brings me sadness. Except, the lack of pride that exists within those who have the "right" to claim the name as their own. This battle has been one that to any focused being, should make obvious sense but has evaded some for 2 decades. Within any foundation the weakest link will always cause all structure to crumble. The one fact that keeps me at peace is the fact that anyone who has ever seen or spoken to me regarding Suffocation and the industry as a whole, has always left with an understanding of the level of focus and pride that I personally hold for myself, the brand that is Suffocation and the genre we influence and helped create."

It's not the first time that Mike decided to part ways with the band: he did it before in 1994 and was replaced by drummer Doug Bohn.

In related news: Decrepit Birth vocalist Bill Robinson will step in for frontman Frank Mullen for the Eastern leg of their upcoming tour, due to the fact that Frank has responsibilities to his job and family.

However, Frank will be performing with the band at Neurotic Deathfest in Tilburg, the Netherlands from March 2-4.

Other bands confirmed for this festival include Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Origin and Legion of the Damned.