by Trivium bassist Paolo Gregoletto recently opened up about the band’s split with longtime drummer Alex Bent. He shared his thoughts on the significant chapter in the band’s history in an interview with Thunder Underground.
Gregoletto emphasized that the band doesn’t expect fans to simply move on from Bent’s departure. He acknowledged the drummer’s substantial contribution to Trivium’s legacy.
“I don’t feel like I want fans to be, like, ‘Hey, okay, we’re over it. We expect you to be over it,’ kind of thing,” he said. “I’m, like, no. I’m, like, we made a lot of great music and there’s a lot of history between us.”
The bassist reflected on Bent’s tenure with the band and the quality of work they produced together.
“He was almost in the band as long as Travis [Smith, former Trivium drummer] was and almost made as many albums, I believe,” Gregoletto continued. “So that’s a pretty big chunk of our history right there. And I think ‘The Sin And The Sentence’, of the stuff we all did together, is maybe one of my favorite records we’ve done. And I think the [upcoming] EP [‘Struck Dead’], too — if that’s the end of the chapter, I’m, like, that’s a great ending right there, ’cause I think it’s a very, very cool EP.”
He expressed pride in the body of work created during Bent’s time with the band.
“And I can say without a doubt, I feel that the albums and EP has been an incredible run,” he said. “I don’t feel we had a real weak point. I can’t say that’s something I feel like for our whole career. So I’m, like, I feel very proud of that. It was a lot of effort and work and everyone’s part.”
Gregoletto stressed the importance of taking time rather than rushing into a decision regarding the band’s approach to finding a replacement.
“We’ve, in the past, had to make quick judgment calls, like in pressure, and I feel like that’s never been the best idea,” he explained. “It’s better to just take a breather, let everyone kind of just deal with the news that we just dropped on them first. And then, of course, like, let’s have fun on the tour.”
Gregoletto’s comments come just days after the unexpected announcement that shook the metal community earlier this month.
Louder Sound reported that Bent’s departure from Trivium was announced abruptly on Friday, October 3, 2025, via both his personal Instagram and the band’s social media accounts. The news came just hours before Trivium was due to perform at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California. This indicated the split was both sudden and unexpected. Both Bent and the band have described the split as amicable, but neither party has publicly disclosed a specific reason for the decision.
For their immediate touring needs, Trivium has enlisted Greyson Nekrutman as their touring drummer, as Metal Insider noted. Nekrutman is known for his work with Sepultura and Suicidal Tendencies. He stepped in with minimal rehearsal time and made his live debut with Trivium at Aftershock. The drummer is expected to continue with the band for their North American tour launching October 31.
Trivium guitarist Corey Beaulieu confirmed to ABC Audio that the departure “definitely was not something we were expecting.” The band quickly adapted by recruiting Nekrutman for their immediate gigs.
The timing of Bent’s departure coincides with a significant moment for the band. Trivium is set to release their new EP titled “Struck Dead” on October 31, 2025, the same day their fall North American headlining tour with Jinjer and Heriot begins, as 98 KUPD confirmed. The EP represents what could be the final recorded work featuring Bent on drums. This makes Gregoletto’s reflections on their collaborative output particularly poignant.
Nekrutman’s role is expected to be temporary as he is slated to return to Sepultura for their 2026 tour. Trivium plans to use this period to carefully evaluate potential permanent replacements. The band appears focused on maintaining stability and positivity during this transitional period while honoring the legacy of their work with Bent.
