Portland death metal outfit Vitriol have once again been hit with a mid-tour mass exodus, raising questions about whether this is a streak of bad luck or the band’s newest unfortunate pattern. Despite consistently strong musical output, things have unraveled once again. Guitarist Keith Merrow (who joined in March), along with the newest members, bassist Brett Leier and drummer Andy Vincenzetti, have all quit the band mid-tour, allegedly abandoning founding frontman/guitarist Kyle Rasmussen at a Vermont gas station. Rasmussen has not issued a public statement, but both Merrow and Vincenzetti addressed the situation today (24th) via Instagram stories.
Merrow wrote:
“HE FUCKED AROUND AND FOUND OUT.
I’LL BE HOME FOR THANKSGIVING, BABY.
SORRY VITRIOL FANS. WE HAD TO ABANDON HIM AT A GAS STATION IN VERMONT.
MYSELF, ANDY, BRETT, AND MATT WILL NOT TAKE KYLE’S COWARDLY AND WEAK OUTBURSTS OF MISPLACED ANGER.
WE GAVE EVERYTHING WE HAD, AND NOW HAVE NOW LEFT YOU WITH NOTHING. MASS EXODUS.
THIS WAS THE DARKEST DAY OF MY MUSIC CAREER TO DATE”
Vincenzetti Expressed:
“Onwards and Upwards, Played some sick deathmetal and got to meet even sicker people. Thanks for all the messages, I’ll answer all of yall as soon as I can, just focused on driving back safe to Portland from New York, much love!”
This isn’t the first time Vitriol has faced a major walkout mid-cycle; bassist/vocalist Adam Roethlisberger also quit during the band’s 2024 tour. We’ll update as soon as Rasmussen or the band releases an official statement.
The remaining tour dates would have looked like this:
11/25 Montreal, QC @ Foufone’s Cabaret
11/26 Toronto, ON @ The Baby G
11/28 Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary
11/29 Columbus, OH @ Spacebar
11/30 Chicago, IL @ Reggies
12/02 Denver, CO @ The Roxy
12/04 Boise, ID @ Shredder
12/05 Seattle, WA @ Substation
12/06 Portland, OR @ Twilight
Feature Image Photo Credit: Peter Beste
