The drummer, who joined the progressive rock band in 2007, was featured on Coheed And Cambria’s fifth, and most recent, album, 2010’s Year Of The Black Rainbow. Before that Pennie co-founded and played drums for the Dillinger Escape Plan between 1997-2007.

“I am very thankful for the times I shared the stage with the guys in Coheed and especially want to thank the amazing, supportive fans that I’ve met while on tour,” Pennie said in a statement posted on Kerrang!’s website. “There are a lot of exciting projects on the horizon in addition to Return To Earth and Fight Mannequins that I feel require 100 per cent of my commitment and attention. I feel that this is the right time to make that happen.”

Coheed and Cambria wrote the following statement on the band’s Facebook page: “Tough decisions were made today that will help shape this band for the coming years. We extend our deepest appreciation to Chris Pennie for an incredible journey.”

The band officially split with Michael Todd in August a month after the bassist allegedly threatened a Walgreens pharmacist with a bomb scare to obtain prescription painkillers. He was arrested on charges of armed robbery and possession of a controlled substance.

Click here for Coheed And Cambria’s Facebook page.

Click here for the Kerrang! story.