“It just had to be the right time.”

On Friday, November 22, Adam Gontier appeared on Loudwire Nights alongside his co-frontman from Three Days Grace, Matt Walst, where they candidly discussed the remarkable journey that led Gontier back to the band he was instrumental in founding back in 1997. Their heartfelt conversation provides insight into the dynamics of the band and the excitement surrounding their reunion, which has fans eagerly anticipating the new direction of Three Days Grace. To catch the full discussion, make sure to listen to the player located towards the end of this article.

“I had some other stuff to deal with and eventually, here we are,” Gontier expressed enthusiastically, while Walst listened intently. “[I’m] very, very excited, man. The music is some of the best that I’ve ever been a part of. It’s just amazing.” This sentiment reflects the shared excitement of both members about their new collaborative endeavor.

Walst, who became part of the band in 2013 following Gontier’s departure, shared his own enthusiasm regarding this pivotal moment in Three Days Grace‘s career. “It’s been awesome,” he remarked confidently to Loudwire Nights host Chuck Armstrong. “It’s like a new life in the band. I grew up watching the band practice in my basement, throwing toy cars at them while they were practicing. To have Adam back and still be in the band, playing guitar, singing backup, singing leads — it’s just a new thing and it’s going to be so fun.”

Discover the Timeline of Adam Gontier’s Reunion with Three Days Grace

Both Walst and Gontier were open about the timeline that led to the exciting new lineup of Three Days Grace. Walst revealed, “I think it’s been about two-and-a-half years,” indicating how long the band has been discussing Gontier’s return to the group. “[That was] just the band talking about it and talking without him and then finally getting together and actually doing it.” This lengthy conversation period laid the groundwork for what would culminate in a spectacular reunion on stage.

Interestingly, this two-and-a-half-year discussion period predates the monumental reunion performance where Gontier joined Three Days Grace on stage in Huntsville, Alabama, in April 2023. “I can’t remember exactly what it was, but Brad [Walst, Matt’s brother and bassist in the band] and I were chatting a little bit about it,” Gontier recalled. “And then the guys were coming through here around the Nashville area and just asked me if I wanted to come out and maybe sing a couple of songs.” His decision to accept the invitation sparked the possibility of an official return to the band.

As Chuck listened to this timeline unfold, he inquired whether it felt strange for Walst’s brother to be discussing Gontier’s return to the front of Three Days Grace. “No, not at all,” Walst quickly responded. “I talked to Brad about it. I think I talked to him about it and was like, ‘What if this happened?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, that’d be great.’ And I was like, ‘Let’s do it.’ Three years later and here we are.” This natural progression highlights the band’s mutual respect and desire to move forward together.

Exciting Plans for New Music and Performances in 2025

With the release of “Mayday,” the first song featuring both Gontier and Walst co-fronting Three Days Grace, fans are eagerly anticipating what the band has in store next. This track marks a significant moment as it is also the first song from the band since the 2022 album Explosions, creating a buzz among their dedicated fanbase. The anticipation for new material has fans champing at the bit for more updates.

Looking ahead, Three Days Grace has several exciting live performances already scheduled for 2025, including appearances at major festivals and the first leg of Disturbed’s spring tour celebrating their iconic debut album, The Sickness. “I can’t wait to see the reaction of the crowd,” Walst expressed enthusiastically about the band’s upcoming live shows next year. “It’s going to be fun because Adam can play guitar for some songs and sing backup, I can play guitar and sing backup… The possibilities are endless. It’s going to be crazy.” This sentiment encapsulates the thrill of their collaboration and the energy they plan to bring to their performances.

Gontier echoed Walst’s excitement, expressing his eagerness to engage with fans during live shows but also highlighted his anticipation for the on-stage dynamics with Walst as they share frontman duties. “I’m looking forward to trading off songs here and there,” he shared with the Loudwire Nights audience. “There are so many songs that the guys have put out over the last 10 years that I haven’t been around for that I love and I want to sing. I think we might do that a couple of times, maybe I jump on one of the newer ones and Matt sings a couple of the old ones.” This collaborative spirit promises to create a unique experience for fans.

In addition to gearing up for their live performances, Three Days Grace has also been diligently working on new material beyond “Mayday.” There is a wealth of new songs in the pipeline, suggesting that fans can expect more exciting news in the near future. “We’re pretty close to finishing [a full album],” Walst mentioned. “There should be a new album by next year.” This declaration has fans buzzing with anticipation for their forthcoming releases.

Insightful Highlights from Adam Gontier and Matt Walst’s Discussion on Loudwire Nights

• How they both feel about this new band lineup being permanent: “As far as we’re concerned, this is the next step for the band. We’ll just keep it going.”
• The collaborative experience of writing “Mayday” and other new songs together: “We check our egos at the door. We’re just friends writing songs to be honest.”
• A glimpse into the sound of upcoming new tracks: “[‘Mayday’] is a good representation of what we’ve been working on, I think… We know exactly what we want to do. The focus and the drive that everybody has right now is pretty incredible to see.”

Catch the Full Podcast Interview with Adam Gontier and Matt Walst Below

Adam Gontier and Matt Walst joined Loudwire Nights on Friday, November 22; the show replays online here. You can tune in live every weeknight at 7 PM ET on the Loudwire app, or check if the show is available on your local radio station to listen to interviews on-demand.