Justin Foley

Justin Foley is an American musician best known as the drummer of the metalcore band Killswitch Engage. He is also a former member of the band Blood Has Been Shed along with Killswitch Engage's former lead singer, Howard Jones. Early life Foley is a classically trained percussionist who attended the University of Connecticut for his bachelor's degree and the University of Hartford's Hartt School for his master's degree.

Foley has cited Charlie Benante and "obscure" Russian classical composer as some of his influences.

Career Before joining Killswitch Engage, Foley participated in a Connecticut band called Red Tide. Red Tide began as a thrash metal outfit in 1993 then evolved into a jazz metal band in the late 1990s. As the primary lyricist and one of the songwriters for Red Tide, Foley earned local celebrityhood. With Red Tide, Foley released at least five demo tapes and two CDs. Red Tide disbanded in 2002 as there was a general lack of interest in continuing.

In 2001 Foley joined Blood Has Been Shed, he recorded one album with the band Spirals which was released in 2003. He remained a member until the band’s disbandment in 2005. He joined the band just as they were hitting their height of popularity as his first two appearances came on The End of Heartache (2004) and As Daylight Dies (2007). The group have been considered one of the more influential bands in the Metalcore genre and Foley has played on 7 total albums, along with being nominated for 3 Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance.

When he is not touring Foley has been known to serve as a freelance orchestral musician with many Connecticut symphony orchestras such as the Waterbury Symphony and New Britain Symphony. citing the marimba as his favorite orchestral instrument.

In 2009 Foley filled in on four shows during As I Lay Dying’s South American tour when their drummer Jordan Mancino had to sit out due to health problems.

Foley is one of the many advertising artists for Evans Drumheads, Yamaha Drums, and Zildjian Cymbals. He also toured with the band in support of the album.

Foley started Lybica, a four-piece instrumental post-rock/metal band, in 2020. His primary role is guitarist, but he played both guitar and drums on their self-titled album, which was released on September 16, 2022. Lybica is signed with Metal Blade Records.

Gear Foley favors a smaller drum after playing a bigger kit earlier in his career. He uses a "20" kick and 10", 13", and 15" toms. Instead of using two drums for double-kick, he uses one drum with a double pedal. Much of his gear consist of Yamaha products who he is sponsored by.

Personal life Foley has been quoted as saying that if he did not play drums, he would like to try out for the New York Yankees, of whom he is a fan. He is also a Simpsons fanatic. Foley is known for his love of cats, a major inspiration for the band Lybica, where Foley plays guitar. He is married to his wife Leigh.

Discography

Red Tide

Themes of the Cosmic Consciousness (1997) Type II (2001)

Blood Has Been Shed Spirals (2003; Ferret Records)

Killswitch Engage

The End of Heartache (2004; Roadrunner Records) As Daylight Dies (2006; Roadrunner Records) Killswitch Engage (2009; Roadrunner Records) Disarm The Descent (2013; Roadrunner Records) Incarnate (2016; Roadrunner Records) Atonement (2019; Metal Blade Records) This Consequence (2025; Metal Blade Records)

Lybica, drums and guitar Lybica (2022; Metal Blade Records)

As a guest Unearth – Darkness in the Light (2011; Metal Blade Records)