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.

Justin Foley
Foley with Killswitch Engage in 2023
Background information
Also known as	JayFo
Genres	Metalcore thrash metal
Occupation	Drummer
Member of	Killswitch Engage Lybica
Formerly of	Red Tide Blood Has Been Shed
Website	killswitchengage.com

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.^[1]

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 (cited by interview).

Foley joined Killswitch Engage after the departure of the previous drummer, Tom Gomes, in October 2003.^[2] Foley has played drums on six albums with Killswitch Engage, to date.

Foley is one of the many advertising artists for Evans Drumheads, Yamaha Drums, and Zildjian Cymbals.

Foley also plays drums on metalcore band Unearth's 2011 album, Darkness in the Light, filling in for departed drummer Derek Kerswill.^[3]

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 Metalblade Records.^[4]

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.^[5] He is also a Simpsons fanatic.^[6] Foley is known for his love of cats, a major inspiration for the band Lybica,^[7] where Foley plays guitar.^[8]

Discography

Red Tide

Main article: Red Tide (band)

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

Blood Has Been Shed

• Spirals (2003; Ferret Records)

Killswitch Engage

Main article: Killswitch Engage discography

• 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)

Lybica, drums and guitar

• Lybica (2022; Metal Blade Records)

As a guest

• Unearth – Darkness in the Light (2011; Metal Blade Records)