The response is very positive and also the Alex fans promote him with full ballots. Everything is going to be perfect but a serious problem is coming out... Simon is forced to leave the band. It's not a problem with the members of the band but only the impossibility to carry on due to his personal and professional engagements. The auditions for a valid substitute start very soon. It's not simple 'cause the new bass player must have rhythm, the right sound, attitude and time enough to travel. After various tests the choice falls back on a friend of Manuel, Erik Ancona. He's a great guy with a good "live" experience.

Erik is officially introduced on december, the 28th of 2003 during a heated live show at "Greenwich Pub" - Curtarolo (PD).

From january of 2004 he is the new bass player of Icebreakker.