Drummer Jeremy Spencer quits Five Finger Death Punch

(Image credit: Stephen J. Cohen / Getty Images)

Jeremy Spencer has announced his departure from Five Finger Death Punch. The drummer, who didn't appear with the band at recent shows as he was recuperating from a back injury, broke the news after undergoing a second bout of surgery.

"This decision has been weighing on me for months, and now the time has finally come," Spencer told Pulse Of Radio. "I started to play when I was six years old, and I feel fortunate that my body has provided me with several decades of doing what I love most: drumming.

"However, the rigorous physical wear and tear has got me to the point where I feel I can no longer deliver a performance that brings me satisfaction and joy. I feel the band deserves to get someone with the fire and energy, capable of delivering the performance that the fans deserve.

"Like you, I will be cheering them on to continue making great music as they tour the world and bring exciting shows to all our cherished fans."

For the band's recent co-headline shows with Breaking Benjamin, Scale The Summit drummer Charlie Engen filled in for Spencer. As yet, there is no news of a permanent replacement.

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 40 years in music industry, online for 27. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.