"Shell-shocked yet determined", HIM are currently investigating different ways to imitate the sound of drums with machines.

The drummer has released the following statement on his personal Facebook page:

"With a heavy heart, I'm announcing my departure from HIM, a magnificent band that I've been part of for the past 16 magical years. It has been a journey that I will remember for the rest of my life. There is no drama, bad blood or any negativity involved in my departure. I simply feel that it's time for me to move on as a musician."

Mika/Gas states that one thing he's recently started to miss is songwriting:

"I've always been a songwriter. I didn't feel the need to write after I joined the band in 1999 and noticed that [frontman] Ville [Valo] is a tremendous songwriter. In my mind, he has never brought a single half-assed song to the practice room. (...) But last fall I've started to feel that I'm missing writing again and that I would like to pursue my own musical interests."

HIM has been a band for 23 years, releasing eight studio albums to date, of which their fifth full-lenth, 'Dark Light', was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA), making them the first Finnish rock band to have a gold album in the United States. They have had five of their studio albums certified platinum in Finland, with 'Razorblade Romance' being certified double platinum in Finland and platinum in Germany.