Van Halen [ tickets ] has announced the departure of Gary Cherone, the band's third lead singer. The split was "both mutual and amicable," according to a statement released today (11/5) via the band's official website.

Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony are continuing work on a new Van Halen album, and Cherone--a former member of Extreme who joined Van Halen in 1996--''will pursue other musical ventures,'' the statement said.

Said Cherone: ''I had a great time singing with the band and I wish Eddie, Alex and Michael all the best.''

''Gary is a brother and he and I will continue to have a personal and musical relationship,'' said guitarist Eddie Van Halen.

The Cherone-fronted Van Halen failed to live up to the album and ticket sales of the band's previous incarnations with founding singer David Lee Roth and Roth's replacement, Sammy Hagar.

''Van Halen III,'' the only album the band has released with Cherone behind the mike, was certified gold (500,000 units shipped to retailers). All of Van Halen's previous album releases have gone at least double-platinum (2 million copies shipped). The 1998 tour in support of ''III,'' which often played to half-filled houses, proved to be a box-office disappointment compared to the band's traditionally sold-out road ventures.

No further information was released regarding future plans for Van Halen or Cherone, though the rumor mill is sure to be rife with the possibilities presented by Cherone's departure.

Progress has been slow on Van Halen's follow-up to ''III,'' which hasn't been assigned even a tentative release date. The band began to work on the record while touring last year, and at least three producers have been involved in the project, according to the band's website. Nine tracks were reportedly completed by August, and 20 new songs had been written for the album.

On Nov. 9, Van Halen will release ''Van Halen Video Hits: Volume I,'' on DVD, featuring the bonus track ''Without You,'' which wasn't available on the VHS version.