The Latin metal band Ill Niño is once again facing lineup changes following the sudden departure of guitarist Xander Raymond Charles, who publicly confirmed he was dismissed just weeks before the start of the upcoming Latin American tour.
Charles, who had been brought in at the beginning of 2026 as a permanent member, revealed that the decision was communicated to him unexpectedly, despite having been committed to the project for several months and with scheduled shows approaching.
At the beginning of 2026, I was hired by ILL NIÑO to become a permanent replacement and the newest member. Last night, I received a call informing me that I am no longer needed as a replacement. This was a total shock, as I had been committed for several months and the first show is in three weeks. I was told that this decision was completely out of my control and had nothing to do with me.
As of today, I am available for work. If anyone needs a guitar player, I am here. I keep my word and commit to what I agree to. Lastly, there is no bad blood, and I understand this is strictly a business decision. I wish ILL NIÑO nothing but the best.
The departure comes at a key moment for the band, which is preparing for a commemorative tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Revolution Revolución, one of the most representative albums of Latin-influenced nu metal. The tour is scheduled for April and includes performances across several countries in the region alongside (hed)p.e..
So far, Ill Niño has not issued an official statement regarding the situation, generating uncertainty among fans given the proximity of the live dates. The lack of clarity about who will take over guitar duties adds pressure to a tour that marks an important milestone in the band’s history.
