Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Shaun Foist steps away from touring with Breaking Benjamin – replacement revealed
Shaun Foist, drummer for multi-platinum hard rock band Breaking Benjamin, has made the tough choice to leave the band’s tour, as reported from theprp. Foist made the choice because he has been unable to play with the band due to the symptoms of Hashimoto’s illness, a degenerative autoimmune disease. He stated in the statement below, which was released on August 28, that he has been dealing with those symptoms since 2017 and that he intends to eventually return once his health is under control. With Asking Alexandria‘s James Cassells taking over behind the kit in what seems to be a permanent capacity, Breaking Benjamin won’t be missing any dates of their upcoming tour due to the lineup change.
Friends, family, and most importantly, the fans—
I’ve battled Hashimoto’s disease since 2017, facing fatigue, leg weakness, stiffness, weight changes, and overall drum playing control issues. During the ‘Awaken The Fallen‘ tour, I was experiencing extreme leg fatigue and complications, making drumming nearly impossible. we ran tests on my back that came out fine thankfully, but tests confirmed Hashimoto’s had flared, pushing my thyroid into “hyper” mode, causing weakness and weight loss.
After speaking with my family and doctors, I’ve decided to step away from the road at this time to focus on healing. Please continue supporting the band and enjoying the shows. I care deeply about our legacy, and I don’t want my health to affect performances. Thank you for the years of love and support.
I will play drums again. Shaun Foist
Still wrapping my head around this… I’m beyond stoked to announce that I’ll be hitting the road with Breaking Benjamin this fall and moving forward. They’ve shaped so much of who I am as a musician, and their impact on rock music speaks for itself.
It’s a huge honor to be part of this, and I can’t wait to get out there and play for you all. Let’s go. James Cassells