If you were scrolling through rock news in late 2024, you probably saw the headline that felt like a fever dream: Adam Gontier is back in Three Days Grace. But here’s the kicker—Matt Walst didn’t go anywhere.
In a move that basically zero people saw coming, the band decided to keep both of them. It’s a two-singer powerhouse now. Honestly, it’s one of the gutsiest calls a heritage rock band has made in years.
For over a decade, fans were split into two camps. You had the "Adam or nothing" crowd and the people who realized Matt actually saved the band from imploding in 2013. Now, in 2026, we’re seeing the payoff of that survival.
The Day Everything Changed in 2013
Let’s go back. It’s January 2013. Three Days Grace is at the top of the rock world, but behind the scenes, things are messy. Adam Gontier leaves suddenly, citing health concerns and a need to move on. The band has a massive co-headlining tour with Shinedown starting in weeks.
Most bands would have cancelled. They would have gone on a "hiatus" that eventually turned into a breakup.
Instead, Brad Walst called his brother.
Matt Walst was already fronting My Darkest Days at the time. They were doing well—"Porn Star Dancing" was a massive hit—but blood is thicker than chart positions. Matt stepped in, originally just as a "fill-in" for the tour. He had to learn a career’s worth of songs in a matter of days.
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People forget that Matt wasn't some stranger. He had co-written songs like "Scared" and "Let You Down" on their debut album way back in 2003. He was already part of the DNA of the band, even if he wasn't the face of it yet.
Why Matt Walst Was Actually the "Savior"
There’s a lot of debate on Reddit and in YouTube comments about who is "better." But "better" is the wrong word. Matt brought a different energy. It was more aggressive, maybe a bit more "active rock" than the grunge-heavy vibes of the early 2000s.
Look at the stats. They don't lie.
With Matt, the band released three studio albums: Human (2015), Outsider (2018), and Explosions (2022).
They didn't just survive; they thrived.
- "Painkiller" and "I Am Machine" became instant staples.
- "The Mountain" and "Infra-Red" kept them at the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts.
- They eventually tied—and then broke—records for the most #1 singles in the history of that chart.
If Matt hadn't stepped up, we wouldn't have those songs. The band would be a legacy act people talk about in the past tense. Instead, they became a bridge between the 2000s and the modern rock scene.
The Small Town Connection
The thing most people miss about this band is that they are all from the same tiny town of Norwood, Ontario. We’re talking about a place with a population of maybe 1,300 people.
When Adam left, it wasn't just a business dispute. It was a friendship rift. When Matt joined, it was literally keeping it in the family. Brad and Matt are brothers. Neil Sanderson (drums) and Barry Stock (guitar) grew up with them. That chemistry is why they didn't fall apart. You can't manufacture that kind of loyalty in a corporate studio in L.A.
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The 2025 Reunion and the "Alienation" Era
Fast forward to late 2024 and 2025. The band announces Alienation, their eighth studio album. It’s the first one to feature both Adam and Matt.
It sounds like it shouldn't work. Two lead singers? It usually feels like a gimmick. But if you listen to "Mayday" or "Apologies," you hear it. They aren't competing. Matt plays rhythm guitar and handles certain registers, while Adam brings that iconic raspy grit.
Matt has been incredibly humble about the whole thing. In recent interviews, he’s joked that it’s like a sports team. You put the best players on the field. If that means having two world-class frontmen, why wouldn't you do it?
What Most People Get Wrong About Matt
There is a weird misconception that Matt was just a "placeholder."
Twelve years is not a placeholder.
Matt Walst fronted Three Days Grace for longer than Adam Gontier did during the first run. He earned his stripes in the trenches of world tours and recording sessions. He helped write the hits that kept the lights on.
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Does he sound like Adam?
No. And he shouldn't.
Matt’s voice has a higher ceiling in terms of range. He can hit those piercing notes that Adam usually avoids. On the other hand, Adam has that soul-crushing gravel that defined the One-X era. Together? It’s a massive wall of sound.
What’s Next for the Band?
As of 2026, the band is currently on the Alienation World Tour. It’s one of the biggest rock tours of the year. Seeing them live right now is a surreal experience. They’re playing the old classics like "I Hate Everything About You" with both singers, and then pivoting into Matt-era hits like "The Mountain."
The setlist is basically a history lesson in Canadian rock.
If you’re a fan who walked away when Adam left, it’s time to come back. And if you’re a fan who only knows the Matt era, you’re about to discover why the early stuff was so legendary.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Listen to the "Alienation" album specifically for the vocal handoffs. It’s a masterclass in how to share the spotlight without ego.
- Check out the 2026 tour dates. They are hitting over 60 cities across North America and Europe. This lineup won't last forever, so catch it while you can.
- Respect the evolution. Bands that don't change, die. Three Days Grace chose to evolve by embracing their past without firing their present. That’s a rare win in the music industry.
The "Matt vs. Adam" debate is officially over. The reality is much cooler: we got both.