In a surprise shake‑up announced on July 30, 2025, the Foo Fighters have tapped Ilan Rubin as their new drummer, replacing Josh Freese, whose exit in May set off a dramatic switch with Nine Inch Nails. Rubin, widely known for his eighteen‑year stint touring with Nine Inch Nails since 2009, is stepping into the role as the Foo Fighters gear up for a major 30th anniversary tour.

Rubin’s arrival is layered with full‑circle irony: he becomes the Foo Fighters’ drummer precisely after Freese returns to Nine Inch Nails. Freese, originally the NIN drummer from 2005 to 2008, left to focus on family life and later joined Foo Fighters after Taylor Hawkins’ passing in 2022. Now, he’s back with Trent Reznor’s outfit for their “Peel It Back” tour starting August 6.

Rubin steps into Freese’s shoes twice over: first at NIN and now at Foo Fighters. Freese confirmed his departure earlier this year on Instagram, expressing surprise but no bitterness.

Rubin’s credentials are solid. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with NIN in 2020 as the youngest ever member at 32. Beyond NIN, he’s drummed for Angels & Airwaves, Paramore, and collaborated with Danny Elfman. Yet whether he joins Foo Fighters as a full‑time member or just handles touring duties remains unconfirmed.

This switch sets the stage for contrasting tour timelines. Nine Inch Nails begins their North American leg of “Peel It Back” in Oakland on August 6. Meanwhile, Foo Fighters set their comeback tour in motion on October 2 in Jakarta, with Dave Grohl temporarily filling in behind the kit during the transition.

Fans across forums have noted the cyclical nature of the move: back in 2009, Rubin replaced Freese in NIN, and now it’s reversed. Reddit commenters joked about draft‑style trades, noting that Rubin’s move feels like a full‑circle moment with “a future draft pick to be awarded in 2027” in jest.

This episode highlights how much lineup changes still ripple through rock music. Ruby moves from one renowned act to another, while Freese circles back to where he began. The Foo Fighters are now revving up for their milestone year with fresh energy. And fans are watching closely, this drummer swap may be the kind of rock‑world plot twist that inspires plenty of future riffs.