Ex-Himsa guitarist addresses departure

Ex-Himsa guitarist Matt Wicklund has released a statement regarding his June departure from the band: "In the new March issue of Revolver there is a small Himsa spread that spends many of its lines saying unwarranted and fabricated lies about me and more specifically my departure from HIMSA. Nearly everything they said concerning me is false. First of all, I quit the band in June simply because I was not happy playing with those guys anymore. I had a musical vision that I couldn't possibly achieve under the limitations of their musical abilities. I needed to be with players that could keep up with my ideas. I wanted to go much more technical and have a much more dynamic vocal approach including tonal singing involved with my music. I felt that they were holding me back. Yes, it is true that I had fallen in love with my wife Jasmin but that has nothing to do with me quitting. I'm sure it is just easier to blame it on that than it is to face the truth of the matter. Next, they claim that I wanted immediate success and that I wanted my strings changed for me, etc. Etc. This is also false. I work very hard at what I do and have never been fed with a silver spoon nor have I wished for such. Also, I'm not sure where Himsa gets the notion that they were involved in a lawsuit with me. I NEVER SUED ANYONE! We may have had a dispute over royalties because I felt that they were trying to cheat me but there was never a lawsuit. Unfortunately, Himsa decided to leave my name off of the upcoming release, Hail Horror on which I performed and co-wrote. Their unprofessionalism is astounding. Even in the Reolver article, it suggests that Sammi and Kirby were the masterminds to the music on this soundrecording. Well, when I was there in the studio recording these songs, Sammi wasn't in the room or even on the continent for that matter. I am responsible for co-writing Seminal and The Destroyer and for writing Pestilence and Send Down Your Reign in their musical entirity (excluding the lyrics and vocals, of course). Two other songs that I had written were removed from the final version of the record after I quit. These songs may appear reworked on a future recording by one of my bands. I believe in being paid for work done. I had never signed any contract with Prosthetic records at the time of the recording of Hail Horror. This was due to lack of good management. I was so busy touring and writing the record that I hadn't even thought about the contractual issues. I had requested that certain things get done by my manager and it was his fiduciary duty to oblige me. He didn't satisfy my requests in a timely fashion, so I contacted a lawyer to settle out the contractual agreements. I just wanted to be included in the contract just like all of the other members! And that was my right since I was not only playing on the whole record but co-writing it as well! Any person with a sound mind would have done the same thing! Another thing HIMSA claimed was that I quit because I didn't want to tour anymore. This is also not true. Derek said 'the band is not their married life anymore' referring to the fact that I was recently married. Actually, my wife is very supportive of my musical life and helps me out with everything. She is just as involved in the music world as I am! I am involved in two new bands now and will be recording in 2 weeks. You better believe you all will be seeing us on the road very soon in support of this new music! We are all very excited about this and can't wait to get back out there and make some noise! I will share more details about these bands in the near future. I have moved on from all of this in a very positive direction with some kick ass material that I know you all will enjoy! Until this new music comes out, pick up the new Himsa record and give it a spin. I hope you like what you hear!"