Andrew Freeman has broken his silence on his dismissal from LAST IN LINE, the band formed by original DIO members guitarist Vivian Campbell, drummer Vinny Appice, and bassist Jimmy Bain. In a candid new interview, Freeman called the decision "completely asinine" — and made clear he has no intention of going quietly.
LAST IN LINE was established in 2012 as an original act rooted in the same musical DNA as the classic DIO lineup, and Freeman served as its vocalist for 14 years. More than a hired frontman, he was a co-owner and business partner alongside Appice and Campbell, and co-wrote approximately 50 percent of every song across the band's three studio albums.
The actual dismissal came in September 2025, delivered via letter from the band's manager — but Freeman only learned of the public announcement months later, in March 2026, when Appice discussed the situation in an interview and confirmed the band was searching for a replacement. "I think it's completely asinine, the decision they've made," Freeman stated, noting that audience feedback during his tenure had been consistently positive and that his co-songwriting contributions were substantial.
From Appice's side, the split appeared to have been building for some time. "There was a lot of tension between us… finally we just said, 'It'd be a lot smoother to find another singer,'" he explained. He cited comments Freeman made from the stage at their final performance at the M3 Rock Festival in Maryland in 2024 as a contributing factor — though specifics remained vague.
Freeman's account points to a different source of friction: the band's limited touring schedule, which stems directly from Vivian Campbell's full-time role in DEF LEPPARD, one of rock's highest-grossing touring acts. According to Freeman, the infrequency of LAST IN LINE dates actively cost him more lucrative opportunities with other established artists. The arrangement, he suggested, left him professionally constrained without adequate compensation.
Campbell has not publicly commented. The band is currently auditioning for a new vocalist.
LAST IN LINE released three studio albums — Heavy Crown (2016), II (2019), and Jericho (2023) — and built a devoted following through their melodic hard rock approach and deep roots in the DIO legacy. Despite the upheaval, the band's musical catalog stands as a genuine achievement independent of the DIO association — which makes the acrimony behind the scenes all the more unfortunate for fans who have followed them from the beginning.