Danish/American metallers Pyramaza have recruited “longtime producer and very good friend” Jacob Hansen [Invocator, Annubis Gate, Beyond Twilight] as the band’s new guitarist.

Commented the group: “It seemed so natural to us to bring Jacob on board, given that he has always felt like an extra member of the band anyways. He has been with us since the beginning, producing, mixing and mastering Melancholy Beast and Legend Of The Bonecarver, and mixing and mastering Immortal.

“It’s no secret that Michael [Kammeyer] was the main songwriter in Pyramaze, as well as the backbone of the band in every conceivable way. However, with our new lineup that also consists of original members Morten Gade [Wuthering Heights] and Jonah Weingarten [Structure Of Inhumanity, Echoterra] longtime lead guitaristToke Skjønnemand and new vocalist Urban Breed [Tad Morose], we have split up the songwriting duties, and pledge to put our hearts and souls into this new album and the future of  Pyramaze.

Michael‘s shoes are big ones to fill, (literally) and in doing so we feel that we are honoring his legacy to the best of our abilities.

“Before Michael and Niels (bass) had announced their departures from the band, we had already arranged to have Jacob mix the new album, so the transition has gone smoothly to say the least.

“We want to thank our fans for standing by us through all of our hardships, and we promise to deliver the best album we can. We love you all!”

Pyramaze parted ways with guitarist Michael Kammeyer and bassistNiels Kvist in February. In a statement, Kammeyer blamed his departure on his inability “to find the mental surplus as well as the sheer time to put into the large endeavor that Pyramaze has become.” He added, “It has become increasingly taxing on me to find the energy that is needed to do all the stuff that I have to do. In fact, it has become difficult to the point where it’s not justifiable anymore.”

Vocalist Urban Breed joined Pyramaze in July 2008 following the departure of ex-Iced Earth singer Matt Barlow.

Barlow handled the vocals on Pyramaze‘s last album, Immortal, which was released in the U.S. on June 24, 2008 via Locomotive Records.

Immortal‘s vocal sessions were helmed by producer Jim Morris, who has worked with Iced Earth on the group’s last few releases. The CD was mixed by Jacob Hansen [Raunchy, Invocator, Mercenary].

Barlow originally joined Pyramaze as the replacement for Lance King [Nightmare Records] who left the band in November 2006.