Swedish symphonic metal band Eleine has fired drummer Jesper Sunnhagen and bassist Filip Stålberg following allegations of inappropriate behavior with fans.
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Singer Madeleine Liljestam and guitarist Rikard Ekberg announced their former bandmates’ “immediate” departure in a statement posted to social media Friday (Feb. 14.)
“They have broken one of the most important parts of our band member contract by acting inappropriately towards our fans,” the statement reads.
Remaining Members Say This Will Not Affect Tour
This April, Eleine kicks off a European tour in support of their 2023 album We Shall Remain. The band’s remaining members—Liljestam, Ekberg and guitarist Victor Jonasson—will proceed with the tour as a trio.
The firings “will NOT affect our upcoming tours,” according to the statement. Eleine will bring in stand-in musicians for all upcoming shows.
“Thank you for understanding that we put our fans first,” the statement concludes.
The statement did not provide further details regarding the nature of Sunnhagen and Stålberg’s actions, although plenty of online speculation exists.
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Elsewhere on the internet, fans praised the metal outfit’s swift and decisive action. “Much respect to you for having a zero tolerance response to this,” one Instagram user wrote.
You did the right thing to dismiss them from the band. No band needs that kind of behavior.
— Kenneth B Carlin (@kenneth_carlin) February 14, 2025
Another added, “Truly saddened to hear this, it must have been a tough decision but in the end I’m sure it’s the right one.”
Eleine Formed in 2014
Named for vocalist Madeleine Liljestam’s nickname, Eleine released their debut single, “Gathering Storm,” in April 2014. Their self-titled debut album came a year later.
Liljestam is the sole remaining original member. Jesper Sunnhagen joined in 2018, with Filip Stålberg arriving in January 2023.
Eleine’s 2018 album, Until the End, peaked at No. 22 on the Swedish album charts.According to their online bio, the latest record, All Shall Remain, “quickly has become the most popular and successful album release for ELEINE so far!”
On. Jan. 22, the symphonic metal outfit announced plans for a Latin American tour, although no dates have been announced yet.
Featured image by Sven Beyrich/SPP/Shutterstock
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