Former Trivium drummer Paul Wandtke has opened up about his short-lived stint with the band following news of yet another lineup change behind the kit. Wandtke, who joined Trivium in 2015 and departed a year later, shared a lengthy post on social media revisiting his experience and promoting his current project, Dead Original.
According to Wandtke, his time with the band ended abruptly after he requested a modest post-tour bonus and off-tour retainer. He claims he was earning around $600 per week after taxes and was told to relocate to Florida to help the band save on travel costs. Following his dismissal, Wandtke says the group allegedly attempted to keep his Tama drum set and asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement — which he refused.
Despite those issues, Wandtke acknowledged that his own performances had faltered over time and expressed no ill will toward the group.
Wandtke’s full statement reads:
“After seeing the announcements about Trivium’s new drummer (which I’m a huge fan of) and Alex Bent (damn can he play) leaving, it brought memories of my time leaving Trivium. I just want people to know this Trivium story!
“I’ll never forget when Matt Heafy said to me, ‘WE ARE GIVING YOU THE WORLD’ when I had asked for any small type of tour bonus post tour and any kind of minimal retainer for off time from touring after being announced into the band. I mean I was announced as an official member of the band so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. I was only making $600 a week after taxes. Their solution was for me to move to Florida so they could save on flights. After that I got fired and the worst part—they tried to steal my Tama drum set. Yes, it’s true. I had to contact my Tama rep at the time who now works for Evans Drum Heads to help me get my kit back! They then asked me to sign a non-disclosure agreement… I politely declined signing the NDA because I believe in freedom of speech. Other than that, I had a killer time!
“I think the guys genuinely are very cool people! Especially Paolo and Corey, and even Heafy was very cool. I thought we got along nicely and it felt like a brotherhood starting — which of course I diminished. Was I the best drummer? No! My double bass playing gradually got worse and worse as the touring cycles progressed because I couldn’t handle it. It’s exhausting playing doubles for 90–120 minute sets for months at a time! I’m more of a metal-rock drummer!
“And I really enjoy singing grunge-inspired music with my Nirvana tribute and original project Dead Original. We’re working on album two finally! I think America should grunge again, and so too should the world grunge again!
“Anyway that’s how it ended for me. I wish the guys the best forever! Woo hoo stay metal.”
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54 Comments
Ex-TRIVIUM Drummer Paul Wandtke Reflects on His Exit: “I Got Fired… They Tried to Steal My Drum Set”
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Drummer from their worst album… and least technical drum album by farrrr
Robert Becker He didn’t even play on the album! That was Mat Madiro from From Ashes to New
Dustin Varner some people
Robert Becker which album?
Brett Kaufman SITS
Brian Claus that was my guess but couldnt even find his name on an album. That and VF are “ok” but easily bottom two Trivium albums…IMHO
Robert Becker ye he only played live haha, mat madiro was the actaully preformer but couldnt tour i do believe
Robert Becker I believe you’re thinking about the drummer before him, Mat Madiro.
What a lame attempt at an attention grab and trying to promo his new grunge band in the same breath as he admins to messing up the tour with his poor double bass playing skills
Eric Romero yeah that dude was never very good. His feet are actually awful
Dustin Hunter agreed, worst they’ve had yet
What the problem? He only expresses his feelings
Can’t even give the man his drum kit? Come on guys!?!
Jeff Martin it was their kit lollol
Jeff Martin Knowing Matt personally (I’ve met him 3 times at shows) i can almost guarentee you this is bullshit.
Ummmmm 🤔
WTH !!
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Bones Skelotèn this wins the internet for today
So it isn’t just their music that sucks
Trying to get some lime light lol
But they gave it back…they’re all pretty cool guys 🤦♂️
Devon James Silvers After he had to get other people involved, they finally let him have it.
Cory smdh
Devon James Silvers Didn’t read the article, did you? 🤣🤣🤣
Devon James Silvers you look like you shouldn’t be allowed around schools 🤷🏻♂️
Stealium
“I harbor no ill will towards these guys. But I’m gonna tarnish their reputation.”
Sure, bud..
When you’re in trivium, you’re IN trivium. That means you do what’s best for the band. When I got to the part about him not moving to Florida I could instantly see that as being a huge issue for multiple reasons.
Josh Cross I don’t blame him, Florida fucking sucks
Josh Cross I couldnt care less about Trivium, but I wouldnt ever expect anyone to move to that shit hole.
Dan Lowndes when you’re in a band that tours all over the world, that enables you to live your dreams, as an amateur musician myself that hates his day job and was never able to make it work in any of my past bands, i would move to Florida to be in Trivium. I hate Florida too, I lived there for 6 months and haven’t been back since, The politics there suck too! But if you’re dedicated and understand the work and commitment that it takes to be in a band on that level, you’re gonna move to Florida where the band is based.
That level of comittment and understanding isnt for everyone, that’s why this dude likely isnt in the band anymore.
Josh Cross I am in a band that tours a lot and we make it work over a distance. I lived in Florida for four years and regardless I will NEVER set foot in Florida again.
Dan Lowndes Exactly, planes can be caught to and from anywhere. Mega big bands work with members living all over. Requiring someone to move to Florida just seems controlling.
JFC
Man they keep Paulo….every time lol
Sounds like something a wee toddler would say 🤣
No one eats, until Matt Heafy eats!! IYKYK!!!
Steve Bullock I knew Matt Heafy, he’s a twat. Bitch acted like he was famous when he was a freshman in high school. Fucking nepo baby.
Jay Senatro I’m a huge trivium fan, met him when they came to Perth long time back and his arrogance was insane 😂 Corey was great!!!
Steve Bullock First time I ever saw them they dimmed the lights real low… “you know who we are… you know what we came here to do…” bitch, this is the Lake Brantley High battle of the bands and you are 18 minutes away from losing to a song about a carwash… take it down a couple of notches.
Jay Senatro hahahahahahaha
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Bro is making shit up
Jesus Christ dickhead. Be honest instead of a piece of shit
He was like
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Whoever can listen to singing has no clue about drumming. God awful.
This band is what I would categorize as “A One album Wonder”. That one album in the beginning. Whatever it was called.?.?. Not sure if it was the first or second record. What ever record had “Gunshot to the head of trepidation”. Great album. Then things descended. Oh wait, that album was called ascendancy, right? I’m not sure. And I’m not trying to make fun. But whatever it was it was a good record.
Adam Warthen this is absolute bullshit. Trivium have had quite a few great albums. Especially the newest ones.
Trivium has always sucked ass
This guy is way better than Greyson. That dude needs to stick to his buddy rich impression
Triuvm is poser metal band . I saw them on tour with Danzig in 2005 and their guitar player didn’t even know who John Christ was . They made two decent albums then tried to be a generic Metallica.
They’ve had more drummers than Spinal Tap