Breaking Benjamin drummer Shaun Foist has announced he will step away from touring due to health complications. The band has revealed his replacement for their upcoming fall tour. The announcement was made through a statement shared on Instagram.
Foist’s statement detailed his ongoing battle with Hashimoto’s disease and its impact on his ability to perform.
“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,” Foist said. “During the ‘Awaken The Fallen’ tour, I was experiencing extreme leg fatigue and complications, making drumming nearly impossible.”
The drummer explained the recent medical developments that led to his decision.
“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,” he continued. “After speaking with my family and doctors, I’ve decided to step away from the road at this time to focus on healing.”
Foist concluded his message with gratitude for fans and optimism about his future.
“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,” he said. “Thank you for the years of love and support. I will play drums again.”
Breaking Benjamin released an official statement announcing James Cassells as Foist’s replacement: “We are thankful to Shaun Foist for all the years of playing with us and being a part of the Breaking Benjamin family. The fall tour starts tomorrow and we are welcoming our friend James Cassells to the stage.”
Foist’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Breaking Benjamin. He has been an integral part of the band’s recent success and evolution.
Wikipedia reported that Shaun Foist joined Breaking Benjamin in 2014 when the band reformed with a new lineup handpicked by frontman Benjamin Burnley. This reformation came after the band’s hiatus and marked a fresh chapter that led to successful albums like Dark Before Dawn and Ember.
Foist’s musical journey began early in his career. Modern Drummer documented that his dedication to drumming started from learning with his father. Before joining Breaking Benjamin, he built his reputation touring with Picture Me Broken and playing alongside notable musicians including Brooklyn Allman, daughter of Gregg Allman.
The drummer’s professional approach and work ethic have been well-documented throughout his career. Modern Drummer noted that Foist has consistently demonstrated his commitment to excellence in his performances. This makes his health-related departure particularly significant for both the band and fans.
His replacement, James Cassells, steps into a role that has been crucial to Breaking Benjamin’s sound during their most commercially successful period. The timing of this transition demonstrates both the urgency of the situation and the band’s commitment to continuing their scheduled performances despite the challenging circumstances. The fall tour begins immediately.
