The saga of Trivium's mysterious drummer situation continues on, though this time we've actually got answers! According ex-Trivium drummer Paul Wandtke's website, he's officially exited the band in pursuit of a new band called Bedlem.
Paul Wandtke (Trivium’s former “touring powerhouse”) has a launched a new band in Chicago called Bedlem, their debut single “Triumph” will be released in February. Visit www.bedlemofficial.com for more info
Footage of Paul Wandtke tracking drums at Uptown Studios in Chicago, IL for his own original project Bedlem.
Guess the rumors were true, check out my new band "Bedlem" https://t.co/vzvJwMOkRB
— Paul Wandtke (@paulwandtke) January 20, 2017
Wadntke is also aware of Matt Heafy's statement that the last three Trivium drummers were just "session players," and he says he knew that coming into the band in an interview with Rock Feed.
"I was the first Trivium drummer in over ten years to get some press in magazines, like Modern Drummer. And that is a true statement, that Matt Heafy did say that [about me being what Trivium had always been always missing]. But bottom line, I did come into it in a work-for-hire situation. It makes sense to me what they were doing. If it was my band, I would have done the same thing, because you're taking on a stranger."
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise either that Alex Bent (ex-Battlecross, Brain Drill, etc.) is Trivium's new touring drummer, as confirmed by bassist Paolo Gregoletto.
https://twitter.com/TriviumPaolo/status/823369245891448832
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpRJ95A2JwQ[/youtube]