Nine Inch Nails [ tickets ] principal Trent Reznor has announced a replacement for current NIN drummer Josh Freese, who plans to leave the group following its in-progress 2008 tour.

"With great pride and excitement I announce the addition of Ilan Rubin to the lineup beginning next year," Reznor wrote in a message posted at NIN's website. "I had the chance to see Ilan playing his ass off at Reading and Leeds a couple summers ago and he blew me away. We recently invited him out to rehearse with us and he blew us away--the perfect guy to pick up the sticks after Josh leaves us at the end of the year."

Early last month, Reznor announced that Freese--who has been with NIN since 2005--would be departing from the lineup following the conclusion of NIN's North American tour, which is set to wrap Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. The split is amicable, according to Reznor, who wrote that he and Freese are "still dear friends."

According to the NINWiki website, Freese and his wife, who reside in Southern California with their two sons, are believed to be expecting a new child early next year.

Fans likely won't have to wait long before they see Rubin on stage with the group; Reznor wrote on NIN's website that there will be "some 2009 tour announcements soon."

Rubin is currently the drummer for Welsh band Lostprophets.

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