Breaking Benjamin drummer Shaun Foist is stepping away from the band as he faces an ongoing battle with the autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s disease.
In a message to fans, Foist noted he’d been plagued with the disorder 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,” he continued. “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,” the drummer explained. “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.”
In a separate statement, Breaking Benjamin offered their support to Foist and thanked him for “all the years of playing with us and being a part of the Breaking Benjamin family.”
They went on to announce that Asking Alexandra’s James Cassells would be behind the kit for their fall tour, which begins on August 29.
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