Rock Band Splits: Why Did My Chemical Romance Break Up After 12 Years? [VIDEO]

The alternative rock band My Chemical Romance split up Saturday according to a statement on their website.

"Being in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing," the statement read.

In late September 2001, New Jersey natives Gerard Way and Matt Pelissier formed a band in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. Their first song, "Skylines and Turnstiles" was written in response to the tragedy. "My Chemical Romance" soon grew to include Way's brother Mikey as well as Ray Toro, Frank Iero and Bob Bryar."My Chemical Romance rebuffed later characterizations as "emo" and "emo-pop." Gerard Way noted that the band found their main influences to be metal-related.

Their top-performing singles include 2010's "Sing," 2004's "I'm Not Okay" and most notably, 2006's "Welcome to the Black Parade," a 2006 radio staple that later was performed by a number of marching bands including Temple University's Diamond Band in 2009.

In a lengthy column, Tris McCall of the Newark Star-Ledger lamented the band's breakup, wrote the following.

"The music they made was beautiful, even when it was ugly; and valid, even when the band was pulling your leg."

The rock band split was amicable, but no official reason was given by the band. In his statement, Gerard Way wrote: "My Chemical Romance is done, but it can never die."