Coheed and Cambria reveal that Zach Cooper will fill the void that was created by the departure of troubled bassist Michael Todd in a video explaining the circumstances surrounding the new hire.

In 2011, Coheed and Cambria said farewell to half of their lineup. Original bassist Michael Todd was let go so he could deal with his legal/substance abuse problems following a drug store hold up before the band's opening gig for Soundgarden in Massachusetts early last year. Coheed's drummer of seven years, Chris Pennie, also left the band due to mutual creative differences -- he was replaced by original stickman Josh Eppard.

Almost immediately following the arrival of Eppard, the band began working on what will be their sixth full-length studio album, despite the lack of a bassist. In a new video (watch below), Coheed and Cambria let their new bassist Zach Cooper introduce himself and talk a little about how the former AM to AM member landed the gig.

During the clip, Cooper can be heard (and seen) dropping the grooved-out low end for what is, presumably, a new track from Coheed and Cambria. Frontman Claudio Sanchez explains that after some initial reservation caused by the audition, Cooper really locked into the feel of new tunes. "You could start to see this excitement and this flare in his playing," says Sanchez. "It's a clear picture of what the songs need to be [and] it's not muddied in any way."

"I'm just really enjoying the experience up to this point. It's been really cool they're all great guys and they're fun to work with," says Cooper of his new gig. "It's been a blast." Fans will get to see the new bass-man in action on the band's upcoming spring tour, which kicks off April 29 in Charlottesville, Va. Coheed and Cambria also have a few festival dates on the books, as well as a slot opening for Iron Maiden on their North American tour this summer.

Watch Coheed and Cambria's New Bassist in Action

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