Professionally filmed live footage of Trivium's August 8, 2025 performance at Bloodstock Open Air in Walton-on-Trent, UK was uploaded online Friday, February 20, but the 17-song set has stirred controversy among fans.
The issue isn't the band's performance – it's the apparent absence of close-up shots of former drummer Alex Bent in the official footage. Across YouTube, Reddit and the band's social media pages, fans have accused the festival organizers of intentionally minimizing Bent's presence in the edit. Some comments include:
- You guys editing out the drummer of every clip is diabolical and this is coming from someone who watches every single Bloodstock upload. Super disappointing!
- @Bloodstockfestivals, in the 'Trivium is' section you left off Alex Bent, the drummer at the time of the concert recording. Not giving Alex Bent credit and leaving him out is wrong and offensive to Trivium fans.
- bloodstock even went through the bother to mention matt, Paulo and Corey, fully left out Alex, #bullieees
- Yo why the disrespect for Alex? He played the show it makes no sense to cut him out… super disrespectful to someone who put so much in
- Jfc you guys and the drummers. Give Bent the respect he deserves.
The backlash arrives shortly after Trivium and Bent officially parted ways. The band has since recruited Alex Rüdinger as his replacement, while Bent has begun mapping out his next chapter.
In a recent interview with Metal Drummers United, Bent reflected on his exit from the Florida metal outfit, emphasizing that the split is a reset rather than a retirement.
"I remember when I first joined [Trivium], it was, like, 'Gosh, another drummer? Really?'" Bent said. "But people that I met ended up becoming friends for life. So I appreciate every single fan that's come out to the shows, that, even to this day, books lessons with me or wants a signed stick or wants to do [interviews] like this, man. I really appreciate it, man.
"And just know I'm not going anywhere, man. I'm never planning on stopping. I don't have a backup plan. That's how I've always been since high school… So I'm not going anywhere, man. So anybody that supports me, I love you. I appreciate you guys, and I'm looking forward to the future, whatever that will be."
Bent also dismissed speculation that he plans to slow down: "There's nothing locked in stone… I'm happy with where I'm at, but I want to get back on the road, for sure. So, yeah, I think a lot of people are under the assumption that I'm trying to slow down or something, and that's not the case at all.
"I feel like I'm just getting started. So I would love to just continue working with the bands. I'm a free agent, and that's the first time I've been a free agent in almost 10 years. So I'm, like, bring it on, man. Studio work, touring, whatever, teaching. I wanna do this. So, that's pretty much what I'm doing, man. I'm just, like, 'Hey, I'm open. Let's go. Let's do this.'"
Trivium guitarist Corey Beaulieu recently described the split as amicable in an interview with Wall of Sound. "It just kind of happened, and it was kind of a surprise. I don't think anyone was really expecting it," Beaulieu said.
"But it is what it is. When it all kind of went down, we all wished each other the best. There's no hard feelings. It was just kind of one of those things where it's, like, life changes paths. And it's all positive. We made three amazing records together. The [upcoming] EP is amazing, which it will be his last thing. He started working on the [next full] record with us, so hopefully when that's finished and done, he'll feel a part of that."
