Sad news for Bad Religion fans, as longtime drummer Brooks Wackerman has announced his departure from the legendary punk band.

Formerly of Infectious Grooves and the Vandals, Brooks Wackerman joined Bad Religion in 2001 and made his studio debut with the band on The Process of Belief in 2002. Wackerman's recruitment became part of a modern renaissance for Bad Religion, who would also release The Empire Strikes First, New Maps of Hell, The Dissent of Man and True North with Brooks behind the kit. Wackerman also drummed on Bad Religion's 2013 Christmas Songs record.

Brooks announced his leave from Bad Religion on Oct. 27 via Twitter:

Dear boys and girls,

After 15 years, 6 records and countless tours- I've decided to move on from Bad Religion.

This wasn't an easy decision to make after spending a good chunk of my life in such an iconic band, but after reassessing my future in music it was time for me to pursue another path.

As I'm writing this, my mind is flashing back to my audition with these guys in 2000. I'll never forget how exhilarating it was to pay "Stranger than Fiction" (my first song) with them and how well is all jelled, as I was doing my best to camouflage my nerves while walking into Cole Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

To have this education and growth has been invaluable to me, and I'm forever grateful to this band for allowing me to be a part of a movement that I can honestly look back on our time together and say, "I'm proud of what we accomplished."

BW

Wackerman's departure comes a year after longtime guitarist Greg Hetson confirmed his own leave from Bad Religion.

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