Pacific Northwest death metal unit Vitriol have shaken up their lineup again. The band announced today, July 31st, that drummer Matt Kilner is out after a roughly two-year run. 

A replacement is reportedly in the works. Meanwhile, former Gargoyl bassist Brett Leier has officially joined the group.

Vitriol shared the following statement:

We have two large developments to share. Firstly, we are deeply saddened to announce that Matt Kilner has chosen to step away from Vitriol. While I imagine that most people’s first instinct is to ask why, Matt’s reasoning is his own, and we want to afford him the respect of not speaking on his behalf. Suffice it to say, we are pained to see him go.

In more triumphant news, we have welcomed Brett Leier into the fold on bass and accompanying vocals. Brett is a wildly talented instrumentalist with a very potent creative mind. He also looks like he’d be camped out in a Serbian gas station bathroom with chicken wire pulled tight, which I think is a pretty sweet vibe. Brett is best known for his work in @gargoylband alongside fellow mega-shredders. Brett will be joining Keith Merrow and I on our upcoming, soon-to-be announced tour where we will re emerge as a four piece. We look forward to seeing what the future will bring. We will provide more information on the drummer situation soon enough.

Here’s a little Woo for my fellow Wooers.

While these goodbyes don’t become less painful, I’m at peace knowing that, if nothing else, part of this band’s legacy will be to have proven that grief does little to slow the art of loss. And that you simply can not kill what is already dead.

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