Breaking Benjamin drummer stepping away from band’s tour due to health condition

Posted On September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

Shaun Foist, the drummer of the American rock band Breaking Benjamin, has announced he is stepping away from touring with the group due to a flare-up of a health condition. 

Foist revealed the news in a recent post shared to the band’s social media accounts, in which he explained he has been suffering from an autoimmune disorder named Hashimoto’s disease, and would be stepping away from the band due to an exacerbation in his symptoms.

The drummer said in his statement: “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,” before adding that during the band’s last tour, he experienced severe complications to the point that it made “drumming nearly impossible.”

Foist continued that he needed to “step away from the road at this time to focus on healing,” then noting, “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 all the years of love and support.”

As a result of his departure, Breaking Benjamin have brought in a replacement drummer in the form of British band Asking Alexandria’s James Cassels, who said in a separate statement that it was a “huge honour” to join the band. 

Breaking Benjamin are currently on a tour of North America as part of their Three Days Grace and Return to Dusk tour. They are next set to play the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on September 3rd. 

According to the NHS, Hashimoto’s disease is a common autoimmune condition “where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).”

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