The Swiss folk metal titans have made the sad announcement that violin player Nicole Ansperger has decided to leave the band.

It’s only been a year since Ansperger joined the band as Eluveitie’s full time violinist, but leaving the band has not been a decision she has made lightly. Read the full statement below:

“Dear fans:

As mentioned before it can become pretty difficult to reconcile personal obligations and the touring life. A lot of things have changed within my family and my personal situation during the last 12 months; and now my familial situation makes it impossible to me to be on the road with my band constantly.

After careful consideration and with a heavy & bleeding heart I made the desicion to leave Eluveitie.

I was a very hard step to me and I will miss Eluveitie – the music, the band, the crew and very much also YOU, the fans!

I wanna thank you all – you`ve been the best fans of the world to me!!! You rocked, you`ve been wonderful and I won`t forget you!

Also I`d like to thank my mates in Eluveitie – thank you for the amazing and intense time we had together! You`ll always be in my remembrance! I wish you all the very best for your future ways and of course I wish you a awesome new fiddle player.

This certainly doesn`t mean an end to my musical career. Music will always be a very important part of my life and who knows – maybe we`ll see each other again one day.
Keep on rockin, guys & girls!”

Sad but very understandable reason to leave the band. Eluveitie have called out for a replacement violinist to tour with the band for 3 months from September-December. If you can rock a violin record yourself playing along to their track ‘King‘ (seen below), upload to YouTube and send the link to violin@eluvietie.ch. We would also like to see the new wave of violin shredders out there!