Foo Fighters have effectively cut ties with Josh Freese, the superstar drummer they enlisted to join the band following the death of Taylor Hawkins.

Freese, who has played with everyone from Nine Inch Nails to Guns N’ Roses, announced that he was fired from the group on Instagram, stating that the band called him earlier this week to tell him that they decided “to go in a different direction with their drummer.”

“I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band,” he wrote. “In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I’ve never been let go from a band, so while I’m not angry—just a bit shocked and disappointed. But as most of you know I’ve always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I’m fine. Stay tuned for my ‘Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters‘ list.”

A representative for Foo Fighters did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

Foo Fighters announced that Freese was joining the band as a full-time member in anticipation of their upcoming tour in May 2023. Freese had played with the group during its Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts the year prior, and fans suspected he was joining the lineup after he canceled shows backing the Offspring and Danny Elfman.

Throughout his career, Freese has been a member of various bands including Devo and A Perfect Circle. As a session musician, he’s contributed to a variety of records from acts including Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson and 100 Gecs.

Foo Fighters were most recently scheduled to perform at Soundside Music Festival in Sept. 2024, but dropped out of the event two days before the show. They are next scheduled to perform at the Singapore Grand Prix on Oct. 4.