Wayne Lozinak, guitarist for metalcore stalwarts Hatebreed, has received a diagnosis of a benign meningioma, a non-cancerous brain tumor. In response to this health development, the band has announced that their live bassist, Matt Bachand, will temporarily move to guitar to cover Lozinak‘s duties. The news comes with widespread well wishes for Lozinak‘s swift recovery and successful emergency surgery.
The situation unfolded swiftly, beginning on June 14th, while Hatebreed was at Download Festival. Lozinak started experiencing mild symptoms that raised concerns of a potential stroke. As a precautionary measure, he sought medical attention the following day upon the band’s arrival in Lille, France. A CT scan performed at the emergency room revealed the brain tumor, leading to his immediate admission for further evaluation.
Following a comprehensive 24-hour assessment, including an MRI, it was confirmed that the tumor is a benign meningioma—a slow-growing mass believed to have been present for years. Hatebreed released a statement detailing the situation and offering an optimistic outlook:
“Send Wayne Lozinak some love! On the night of June 14th, while at Download Festival, Wayne began experiencing mild symptoms that raised concerns of a possible stroke. Out of an abundance of caution, he sought medical attention the following day upon arriving in Lille, France. After undergoing a CT scan at the ER, doctors discovered a brain tumor, leading to his immediate admission for further testing. Following a thorough 24-hour evaluation, including an MRI, it was determined that the tumor is a benign meningioma—a slow-growing mass that has likely been present for years. We are immensely relieved that Wayne’s diagnosis is the best possible outcome given the circumstances. Wayne will be returning to the U.S. to prepare for surgery and focus on rest and recovery. His strength and resilience remain unwavering, and he is determined to return to Hatebreed as soon as he is able. We appreciate all the love and support from fans, friends, and the music community during this time. Further updates will be shared as appropriate. Thank you for respecting Wayne’s privacy as he begins this journey toward full health.”
This health news comes as Hatebreed prepares for a busy summer. This past April, the band announced the highly anticipated return of the annual “Summer Slaughter” tour for 2025. The tour is set to kick off on July 8th in St. Petersburg, Florida, and will run through July 28th, concluding in Grand Rapids. This year’s lineup for the “Summer Slaughter” run will feature support from various acts including Fugitive, Gridiron, Malevolence, Incite, Escuela Grind, and Snuffed On Sight on select dates.
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