Billy Talent Drummer Steps Away From Recording After Relapse With MS

Canadian rockers Billy Talent are about to start the second chapter of their career following 2014's Hits collection, but their first original album after the career-spanning set will not have drummer Aaron Solowoniuk in his familiar spot behind the kit. Solowoniuk has been afflicted with multiple sclerosis over the years and a recent relapse has led him to step away from the kit during recording sessions.

In the video above, Solowoniuk reveals, "As you know, I've had MS for over 15 years now and it hasn't stopped me from recording music or touring music ever. Over the past six or seven months I've been dealing with a relapse. I'm going to be switching medicine this week and doing everything I can to get healthy."

He states that as his symptoms with MS have returned, it's led to him slowing down and not being able to keep up on drums. Solowoniuk says his bandmates offered to wait until he was better, but he thanked them for the offer and told them that they should move forward as he wasn't sure how long it would take until he's better.

The band has reached out to Alexisonfire's Jordan Hastings with Solowoniuk's approval and Hastings has been laying down the drum tracks for the band's upcoming studio album. While he attempts to get better, Solowoniuk states that he's keeping busy taking photos and documenting the recording sessions for the group.

"Rest assured I'm going to do everything I can to get back on drums, but right now I need to step away for a bit and focus on my health," concludes the drummer.

The band will return to the road in June for Europe's festival season. See their dates here.

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