After ten years drummer Stephen van Haestregt has decided to part ways with Within Temptation. You can still see Stephen with the band on stage during their upcoming theatre tour and in the future with his band My Favorite Scar. The Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers have issued the following update:\"It isn\'t easy to say goodbye after all we\'ve been through together. In this period of time many dreams have become reality for all of us and exceeded our highest expectations. Through the good and bad it has created a bond; we\'ve had a wedding, a funeral and have seen each others kids being born and growing up. Everything passed in a flash and we are looking back on it with a smile.\"
Stephen\'s statement regarding his decision to leave the band reads as follows:
\"This may come as a surprise, but after ten great years the time has come for me and Within Temptation to go our separate ways. I remember well the time that I got involved with Within Temptation as a studio technician. \'Mother Earth\' marked the beginning of a successful era. I couldn\'t have imagined that I would be their drummer in two years\' time. Within Temptation developed from an underground band to Holland\'s best selling musical export product. A childhood dream came true: I toured over 40 countries, shared the same stage with heroes like Iron Maiden, Metallica and Rammstein and performed in a sold out Ahoy\' with the Metropole Orchestra. In short, it\'s been an incredible time. The things we experienced will stay with me forever.\"
On April 29 in Antwerp, Belgium, Stephen will be on stage with Within Temptation for the last time.
From the start of their sabbatical year at the end of 2008, Stephen started producing, recording and mixing other bands again. Also as a musician, you have not heard the last of him though. In July 2010 Stephen\'s band My Favorite Scar will release its debut album. In March 2010 the band will start touring, playing as many shows as they possibly can.
