After 12 years behind the axe, Roope Latvala has decided to leave Children of Bodom.

A statement was released today:

Dear COB Hatecrew, we need to share something with you at this point. Our friend, brother, and a guitar player for 12 years, Roope, is no longer with the band. As we parted ways with no bad blood, we wish him nothing but the best and thank him for allowing us to share the last 12 years of our lives with him. Hope you know that this will not affect the upcoming shows or the new album as we recorded it as a four piece and it is already mixed, mastered, heavy as shit and ready to go! Enough said, See you soon!

It is a pretty surprising development as nothing seemed to suggest Latvala’s imminent departure from the band, but perhaps after 12 long years it was time to move on or just settle down.

If anything develops on the departure, of course we will update you!