Breaking Benjamin drummer, Shaun Foist. Photo: Sergione Infuso/Corbis, Getty Images
Breaking Benjamin fans are facing bittersweet news: drummer Shaun Foist has announced he’ll be stepping away from the band’s tour schedule to prioritize his health.
Foist, who has been part of Breaking Benjamin’s powerhouse lineup since 2014, revealed that he’s been fighting Hashimoto’s disease for nearly a decade. The autoimmune condition has left him battling fatigue, leg weakness, and muscle control issues—serious challenges for a drummer. During the Awaken the Fallen run, the symptoms hit harder than ever, with extreme leg fatigue making shows nearly impossible to play.
After meeting with doctors and leaning on his family, Foist made the difficult choice to step aside. In a heartfelt online message, he reassured fans that this is not the end of his story: “I care deeply about our legacy and I don’t want my health to affect performances. Please keep supporting the band—I will play drums again.”
Breaking Benjamin responded with gratitude, thanking Foist for his years of dedication and calling him an irreplaceable part of the family.
James Cassells Steps In
In the meantime, the throne behind the kit won’t stay empty. James Cassells, drummer for Asking Alexandria, will be joining Breaking Benjamin on tour.
Cassells admitted he’s still “wrapping his head around” the opportunity, but his excitement is undeniable. “I’m beyond stoked to announce that I’ll be hitting the road with Breaking Benjamin this fall,” he shared on Instagram. “They’ve shaped so much of who I am as a musician. It’s a huge honor to be part of this, and I can’t wait to get out there and play for you all.”
Fans will get to see this new lineup in action as the band kicks off their co-headlining tour with Three Days Grace on August 29 in Ridgedale, Missouri. Rising act Return to Dust will open the shows, with the trek running through October 12.
A Look Back at Foist’s Time With Breaking Benjamin
Foist first joined Breaking Benjamin during the band’s 2014 rebirth, when frontman Benjamin Burnley reassembled the group with fresh faces after a turbulent split. Since then, Foist has been behind the kit for Dark Before Dawn (2015), Ember (2018), and Aurora (2020), helping shape the band’s modern era. His precise yet powerful drumming has been a backbone of their sound onstage and in the studio.
Before his time with Breaking Benjamin, Foist cut his teeth with the band Picture Me Broken—but it was with Breaking Benjamin that he cemented his place in rock.
The Road Ahead
While Foist focuses on healing, the band continues to look toward the future, with new music in the works and a massive fall tour underway. Still, his promise to return offers hope: this isn’t goodbye—it’s just a pause.
As Three Days Grace’s Adam Gontier wrote in support of Foist: “We’re gonna miss you out here buddy. Much love.”
And judging by the outpouring of fan messages, Foist’s presence—and his eventual return—will be eagerly awaited.
SOURCE: Loudwire