Vitriol Implodes on Tour: Band Members Abandon Frontman Kyle Rasmussen at Vermont Gas Station
In a dramatic turn of events that has stunned the extreme metal community, Portland-based death metal outfit Vitriol has effectively disintegrated mid-tour, with three members abruptly quitting and leaving vocalist/guitarist Kyle Rasmussen stranded at a gas station in Vermont.
Former guitarist Keith Merrow broke the news in a series of scathing social-media posts that were quickly captured and reported by Lambgoat. According to Merrow, he, drummer Andy Vincenzetti, bassist Brett Leier, and an additional member identified only as Matt walked away from the band after what he described as repeated “cowardly and weak outbursts of misplaced anger” from Rasmussen.
“HE FUCKED AROUND AND FOUND OUT. I’LL BE HOME FOR THANKSGIVING, BABY,” Merrow wrote. “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 LEFT YOU WITH NOTHING. MASS EXODUS. THIS WAS THE DARKEST DAY OF MY MUSIC CAREER TO DATE.”
The mass exit marks the latest chapter in Vitriol’s turbulent history. Founded by Rasmussen, the band has cycled through numerous members over the years and had only announced its current “brand new” lineup earlier this year ahead of the ongoing North American run with Weeping.
As of press time, Kyle Rasmussen has not made any public statement regarding the situation, and Vitriol’s social media channels remain silent. It is unclear whether the band – now presumably reduced to a one-man operation – intends to fulfill the remaining tour dates. The scheduled shows are as follows (status currently unknown):
11/25 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Électriques Cabaret
11/26 – Toronto, ON @ The Baby G
11/27 – London, ON @ Honey Dip
11/28 – Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary
11/29 – Columbus, OH @ Spacebar
11/30 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies
12/2 – Denver, CO @ The Roxy
12/4 – Boise, ID @ Shredder
12/5 – Seattle, WA @ Substation
12/6 – Portland, OR @ Twilight
Fans awaiting clarification are left refreshing the band’s former-members page, which continues to grow at an alarming rate. More details will be reported as they become available.
Have you even heard of this band before?
