Nine Inch Nails' drummer Josh Freese is to leave the band during their upcoming US tour, it's been announced.

"Josh Freese fans, be sure to check out a show on the upcoming North American leg of the tour, as sadly they will be the last ones he's playing with us,” frontman Trent Reznor said in a statement.

Reznor said Freeze, who joined the band in late 2005, had expressed a desire to leave but insisted that they will remain “dear friends.”

At present, the singer - the only official member of the band - said he wasn't sure who would replace the drummer.

As previously reported, Nine Inch Nails will release their own version of the Apple iPhone application TapTap Revenge this month.

The application will include 16 tracks from the band's recent albums 'The Slip' and 'Ghosts I-IV' - a number of which have been remixed for the game.

(by Jason Gregory)