• Matt Cameron announces his departure from Pearl Jam after 27 years.
• Cameron expresses gratitude towards his bandmates and fans.
• The band acknowledges Cameron's significant contributions during his tenure.

Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron has surprised fans by announcing his departure from the band after nearly 30 years. Cameron's announcement came via social media, where he stated, “After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” thanking his bandmates for the “opportunity of a lifetime.” His exit follows the completed Dark Matter World Tour, though no reason was given for his departure, according to HuffPost, SFGate, and Channel News Asia.

Pearl Jam publicly recognized Cameron's significant role. The band stated, “Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer. He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings,” acknowledging the deep impact of his presence within the group. The band did not mention any plans for a replacement for Cameron, who has been integral since he joined in 1998, as confirmed by HuffPost, SFGate, and Channel News Asia.

Prior to his time with Pearl Jam, Cameron gained prominence as the drummer for Soundgarden. Although not a founding member of Pearl Jam, he joined as a stabilizing force during a tumultuous time for the band, where they had already cycled through four drummers. Cameron’s contributions to the group included playing on albums starting with 2000’s Binaural, and he recently completed a yearlong tour supporting their 12th studio album, Dark Matter, according to HuffPost, SFGate, and Channel News Asia.