Death metal band Vitriol have split up mid-tour, citing their frontman\u2019s \u201ccowardly and weak outbursts of misplaced anger\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Portland group were out on their 2025 North American tour, which saw them debut a new line-up comprising founding member, guitarist and lead singer Kyle Rasmussen, Keith Merrow (guitar), Brett Leier (bass) and Andy Vincenzetti (drums).<\/p>\n
This followed former drummer Matt Kilner\u2019s departure from Vitriol this summer. In September 2024, bassist, co-vocalist and co-founder Adam Roethlisberger quit the band mid-tour.<\/p>\n
Writing on Instagram Stories yesterday (Monday November 24), Merrow shared details on Vitriol\u2019s sudden break-up, and the circumstances that had led to them parting ways with Rasmussen.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe fucked around and found out,\u201d he wrote in all caps. \u201cSorry Vitriol fans. We had to abandon him at a gas station in Vermont. Myself, Andy, Brett, and Matt will not take Kyle\u2019s cowardly and weak outbursts of misplaced anger.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cWe gave everything we had, and now have left you with nothing. Mass exodus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Merrow went on to say that having to make the announcement was \u201cthe darkest day of my music career to date\u201d.<\/p>\n
Later, a follow-up post captured the \u201cfuckin brutally depressing 25-hour drive home\u201d from the tour with Vincenzetti.<\/p>\n
The latter shared his own statement online, writing: \u201cOnwards and Upwards. Played some sick deathmetal and got to meet even sicker people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Merrow has since responded to Rasmussen\u2019s lengthy two-part video message about the situation (see above), saying: \u201cEveryone who\u2019s reading this \u2013 Me, Brett, and Andy\u00a0left\u00a0Vitriol\u00a0because\u00a0Kyle\u00a0sucks. That\u2019s it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t require an absolutely psychotic 2 part video series to explain.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe irrationally screamed at the whole crew at the top of his lungs on multiple occasions. We simply won\u2019t tolerate it, just like all the other 19 people who left this failed band. What more needs to be said? It\u2019s the same shit as every other victim of his abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n
He later wrote: \u201cI\u2019ve received so many messages in the past 24 hours from you guys. We really appreciate your kind words.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe silver lining in this situation is that I met Brett\u00a0and\u00a0Andy. We\u2019re continuing together as a band under a different name because we love each other. The amazing bambino crew will be joining us as sound engineers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Per Lambgoat<\/a>, Rasmussen\u2019s video messages saw him take accountability, but dispute some claims from his bandmates. He detailed a confrontation with Merrow \u2013 saying the latter had entered his private space, triggering Rasmussen\u2019s anger issues.<\/p>\n \u201cBrett just shouts, \u2018You can\u2019t talk to us like that\u2019,\u201d he explained. \u201cI said, \u2018Talk to you guys like that? I yelled at Keith\u2019. I was like, \u2018What about the physical invasion and not respecting when I asked him to leave the space when he was being hostile?’\u201d<\/p>\n He told his followers: \u201cI see my therapist every single week, even on tour.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The singer said: \u201cI feel like [my bandmates] must feel a responsibility to make their actions sound as reasonable as possible by inflating the offences of my actions.\u201d<\/p>\n He also admitted to occasional cocaine use when on tour, claiming that all members took part. The vocalist said a 30-hour intoxicated period had preceded the incident that resulted in the split.<\/p>\n