In addition to the departure of drummer Josh Freese, Nine Inch Nails have revealed that they also parted ways with band programmer/keyboardist, etc. Alessandro Cortini. Cortini had the following to say about his exit from the band:
"It's been exactly 4 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 & Co. have been aware of this decision of mine for a while now and are prepared to take the band to the next step.
Thanks to all the fans who welcomed me at the beginning of my journey and supported me through the years: I hope to see you around here or there.
Alessandro"
As previously reported, Freese will be replaced by Ilan Rubin of Lostprophets fame. Meanwhile, band mastermind Trent Reznor has affirmed that the group will now continue on a quartet for their upcoming touring plans, which aside from the already known Australian run, include a North American amphitheater tour in mid-April and the European festival circuit in the summer. After that the band will take a break to focus on new material and other projects.