A day after AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was arrested for allegedly attempting to hire someone to murder two people*, the band has issued a statement on the matter. Although there is no definitive word on Rudd's status with the band, their words hint that his time with the rock legends may be over.

* 11/7 update: The procuring-murder charge against Rudd has been dropped. Three other charges remain. Details here.

The three-sentence statement was issued on their Facebook page. It reads, "We've only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album 'Rock or Bust' and upcoming tour next year."

Rudd was released on bail yesterday after offering no plea, but the use of the word "absence," without a word like "possible" or "potential" before it, suggests that they are already making plans to carry on without him. There was also no expression of concern along the lines of, "Our thoughts are with him at this difficult time," which is more-or-less standard in such statements.

Last month, rumors about Rudd's departure from AC/DC were circulating after they released a new publicity photo for the upcoming record that omitted Rudd, and it was revealed that he had also missed a video shoot due to a "family emergency."