In what fans are calling “the most educated breakup in metal history,” TRIVIUM have officially split with drummer Alex Bent after nine years — and according to very reliable sources (mostly us), the reason wasn’t creative differences or scheduling conflicts. It was music theory.
Apparently, Bent’s recent decision to “expand his horizons” and take up music theory lessons backfired when the rest of the band could no longer understand a single word he said in rehearsal.
“He started talking about Mixolydian modes and diminished sevenths,” said bassist Paolo Gregoletto, visibly traumatized. “At first, we thought it was a new coffee order or a gaming clan. Then he brought a whiteboard.”
According to insiders, the final straw came when Bent referred to a breakdown as “a modulation to the relative minor with syncopated hemiolas.” Guitarist Corey Beaulieu reportedly walked out mid-sentence, muttering, “I just wanted to chug, bro.”
Frontman Matt Heafy attempted to mediate but admitted he lost track of the argument after Bent used the word “polyrhythm” unironically.
“I used to think 7/8 time was a kind of protein shake,” Heafy confessed. “We needed someone who hits drums, not one who gives lectures on harmonic tension.”
Despite the split, both parties insist things ended on “great terms” — meaning no one threw a double bass pedal this time. Bent’s official statement thanked the band for “nine amazing years,” while TRIVIUM’s thanked him for “teaching them that music apparently has rules.”
In a quick turnaround, the band has already recruited Greyson Nekrutman (SEPULTURA, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES), who reportedly promised to never mention music theory, scales, or anything ending in “-olian.”
Paolo reassured fans:
“We wish Alex all the best. He’s off somewhere discussing chord inversions and parallel motion. Meanwhile, we’ll stick to what we know — playing everything loud enough so nobody notices we’re in drop C.”
TRIVIUM’s new EP “Struck Dead” arrives October 31 via Roadrunner Records, perfectly timed for Halloween — and possibly symbolic of what happened to Alex’s membership after he uttered the words “circle of fifths.”
