Kevin Max leaves Audio Adrenaline, Josh Engler joins the group

AFTER nearly two years, over 150 shows and the 'Kings & Queens' album, Audio Adrenaline have announced that Kevin Max is stepping down as lead singer of the band. Josh Engler, formerly of the band Abandon, will replace Max as the group's new lead vocalist.

In an open letter to his supporters Kevin Max wrote, "When I was informed that Audio Adrenaline was moving forward into more of a 'Worship Music' direction, I had initial feelings of confusion and doubts. However, I truly believe that whatever the band decides to do, they will have meaning in God's Kingdom as they are men with pure hearts. I had to be honest with myself accepting that my calling was not in this specific form. God has wired me as an artist and given me a desire to create music in many different genres. I move forward now to be a steward of what he has given me, and through faith I am believing he has lead me again to a career in solo music. I support and stand behind my former bandmates and consider myself an ally and a friend both personally and musically.

"As many of you know, I have spent a prior decade in solo music. After dc Talk, I went through a period of finding myself and learning the hard way that without a team around me, left to my own devices, I could easily get lost in myself. Lost in my own ego, God found me and broke me of my pride. He then brought me back to Nashville. I have spent the last two years being refined and restored. I feel revitalized. I am excited about what is around the corner for my family, friends and the music that God continues to gift us with. I have no desire to run from Nashville. I have no desire to run from what I have continued to pursue in the Christian Arts. If anything, I feel that these last two years have given me the tools and desire to make the best art I can within this industry. One of the first dc Talk monikers was 'if it's Christian, it ought to be better.' That is my new goal and again more than ever, a slogan in my life. I, Kevin Max, promise to dive deep into music, poetry, stories and imagination, but most of all into the web of wonderful relationships and people that God has brought into my life on this amazing journey of the soul." Max's forthcoming album is 'Broken Temples'. A track from the project, "Infinite", is available today from iTunes.

Josh Engler previously was Abandon's lead singer from 2004 to 2012. In 2013 he became the worship arts pastor of Bethel Church in Evansville, Indiana. Now, with the full support of his church leadership, he is excited to join Will McGinniss, Jared Byers and Dwayne Larring. Audio Adrenaline are currently in the studio and their new album is slated for release in 2015 by Fair Trade Services.