Bob Bryar, drummer for My Chemical Romance, has parted ways with the New Jersey band. According to a guitarist Frank Iero, Bryar left the band a month ago after grappling with the decision for some time.

"As of four weeks ago, My Chemical Romance and Bob Bryar parted ways," Iero wrote on his blog. "This was a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors, and expect you all to do the same."

Bryar replaced original My Chemical Romance drummer Matt Pelissier in 2004, following the band's tour of Japan that year.

Iero also gave fans some info on the band's upcoming album.

"We have been writing some very powerful new songs so this week the four of us entered the studio once again, and what has been ending up on tape each night is some of the most exciting and honest work we have ever created," he wrote.

The album is expected to come out later this year.