Ken Bedene, the former drummer of the renowned death metal band Aborted, has recently spoken out about his departure from the band and addressed troubling allegations circulating on social media regarding his alleged inappropriate interactions with a young female fan through online communication.

Earlier this month, Aborted made an unexpected announcement confirming Bedene’s immediate departure from the band after a long tenure. They quickly reassured fans that their much-anticipated European tour would proceed as scheduled, with Kevin Paradis stepping in to fulfill drumming duties. Unfortunately, no further context or explanation was provided at that time, leading to speculation among fans and followers.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Ken Bedene’s Departure from Aborted

Bedene first joined Aborted in 2010, taking over the drumming role from Daniel Wilding. He made his mark on the band’s sound with his performance on the critically acclaimed Global Flatline album released in 2012, and he continued to contribute to every album including the latest, Vault of Horrors, set for release in 2024.

While no explicit reasons for Bedene’s exit were disclosed initially, he has since taken to his social media platforms to clarify the situation. His statement alluded to an online conversation with a young female fan, which he claims was “consensual and reciprocated,” indicating that he believes the interaction was not inappropriate given the circumstances.

Bedene further emphasized that the young fan was of consenting age in her location and acknowledged, “While legal, I understand it never should have happened.” This admission reflects his awareness of the sensitive nature surrounding such interactions, especially within the public eye.

In his statement, the drummer noted that despite some “false claims” and “misinformation” circulating about the nature of the interaction on social media platforms, he does not wish to escalate the conversation further. Instead, he aims to “acknowledge my part and learn from it,” indicating a desire for personal growth and accountability.

READ MORE: 65 Bands That Have Only One Original Member Left

Regarding his decision to part ways with Aborted, Bedene stated, “My departure from Aborted is intended to protect the people and the community I’ve cared about and created music with for more than 15 years.” He expressed a desire to distance the band from the controversies surrounding his personal communications, emphasizing that his bandmates should not bear the burden of his actions.

Bedene’s full statement is as follows:

Over the past two weeks, I have taken time to reflect on what’s been posted – knowing how important it is for me to address it. I never intended to make anyone uncomfortable, and I am truly sorry.

The bottom line is: I had a consensual and reciprocated conversation online with someone of consenting age in her state. While legal, I understand it never should have happened.

Those who know me are rightly surprised at the situation and the extensive misinformation out there. I’ve always carried myself with respect for others. Consent is something I take seriously, and I would never knowingly cross that line.

I’m horrified by the false claims about the conversation and about my character. Though this was a private conversation, and the falsification of events surrounding it is defamatory, I will not continue the rhetoric by sharing ‘my side.’ My focus right now is acknowledging my part and learning from it.

As a husband and father, seeing my family so negatively affected by something they did not do has been brutal. Though my wife has already shared that we have an open relationship, I am truly sorry to her for the inappropriate attention she’s received as a result of my actions. She’s my best friend, and I have the utmost respect for her and the life we’ve built together. She’s stood by me through everything, and she doesn’t deserve the harassment.

My departure from Aborted is intended to protect the people and the community I’ve cared about and created music with for more than 15 years. I left the band to distance them from this. They had no part in my communications, and they shouldn’t have to carry the weight from them.

Going forward, I am taking a step back to help my family heal and to reflect.

Thank you.

Upcoming Tour Plans for Aborted in 2025

As mentioned earlier, Aborted was gearing up for their upcoming touring schedule at the time of the announcement regarding Bedene’s departure. The band officially commenced their 2025 European tour with a performance on April 24 in Tilburg, Netherlands. They have additional shows lined up across Europe and the U.K., with dates confirmed through May 25 in Bristol, U.K..

Fans can explore all tour dates, cities, and venues, along with ticketing information, by visiting the official Aborted website.