Alessandro Cortini is the second member of Nine Inch Nails to call it quits in December, despite Trent Reznor’s announcement that the whole band will take a hiatus after their Australian tour wraps in February ‘09. Well, that band will be a lot smaller as of Cortini’s recent statement:
“It’s been exactly four years since I joined Nine Inch Nails and the time has come for me to move onto new things. I feel a need to explore other paths in music and life which leads me to leave the tour at this stage. I am grateful of the chance I was given: it doesn’t happen every day to be able to work next to some of the most talented people on this planet. Trent and Co. have been aware of this decision of mine for a while now and are prepared to take the band to the next step.”
NIN’s drummer, Josh Freese, announced his departure about a week ago to spend more time with his family. There is no word on who will be playing drums for the Australian leg of their tour, but Reznor, an accomplished keyboardist himself, may step in for Cortini.