Before Matt Heafy established himself as the permanent frontman of the American heavy metal band Trivium, the vocal duties belonged to Brad Lewter, who served in the role from 1999 to 2000. The original singer recently reflected on his tenure with the group and his decision to step away prior to their mainstream success.
Approximately a year after Trivium formed, the band recruited a 13-year-old Matt Heafy. In a recent interview with Metal Hammer (via Guitar.com), Brad Lewter recalled the group’s early days and how the young guitarist’s intense work ethic immediately shifted the band’s dynamic.
Speaking on the dedication of his former bandmates, Brad Lewter stated:
“Heafy and Travis [Smith] were really determined. They’d be woodshedding, where you just sit and go over the same riff over and over again, whereas me and [founding member] Jarred [Bonaparte] had other things away from the music.”
Observing the “laser focus” and perfectionism developing within the band, alongside the active management and promotional role taken by Matt Heafy‘s father, the original vocalist realized the demanding schedule was not suited for his lifestyle.
“I didn’t know if I wanted to be on that train,” he admitted.
Brad Lewter officially exited Trivium in 2000. While acknowledging the band’s subsequent international success, he noted that his departure was ultimately the correct choice for his personality.
“There were some regrets about hopping off when I did – seeing them on MTV or touring with Metallica – but it wasn’t for me. I’m more of an introvert. I’m an animator, and so I would sit in my comfortable space in a dark room in front of a screen.”
Today, Brad Lewter has established a professional career outside of the music industry, working as a professor of animation and motion graphics at Ithaca College. Despite their divergent paths, he confirmed that there is no remaining animosity.
“I am still friends with Heafy and his wife on social media,” he noted, concluding: “so I see the updates, and that’s not the kind of life I could sustain.”
