Overkill - Drummer Jason Bittner Leaves The Band
Drummer Jason Bittner has decided to leave the ranks of the legendary Overkill after a seven-and-a-half-year period. Jason will now focus on the reactivated Shadows Fall and his new band, Category 7.
Bittner's statement via 'Metal Injection' is as follows:
"On August 1, 2024, I played the Vagos Metal Fest in Portugal, and it was the last show I will play in the band Overkill. For a while now I have been juggling a few different bands along with Overkill, and I knew at some point something would have to give since I simply can't be three places at once. Over the course of this last year, my schedule has reached that breaking point.
"At this time Shadows Fall is working towards completion of our new material that will take us back out on the road sometime in 2025, as well as our fall shows we have booked for the rest of this year celebrating 20 years of The War Within.
"Compounded on top of this is my new band, Metal Blade recording artists Category 7 whose album just hit the shelves last month and will start touring soon through 2025. All of this adds up to something having to 'take a break', so as of today I no longer play drums in Overkill so I can concentrate solely on the bands that I am a full member/owner of.
"Now don't worry – they currently have another great drummer already learning the material, and he will be ready to do battle for the upcoming tours. I would like to thank EVERYONE in the Overkill extended family for 7 1/2 years of laughs, killer shows, and fun around the globe.
"All our crew members throughout my run, our agents Dolores Lokas and Mike Monterulo, my tech Animal for always having my back (Shake and Bake), as well as all of our crew past and present, the SKULLKRUSHERS (much love Jurgen), and all the fans who supported my tenure in the band, I love you all, thank you, and will miss you on the European and King Diamond tours… but I'll see you out there with Shadows Fall and Category 7."
Bittner's statement via 'Metal Injection' is as follows:
"On August 1, 2024, I played the Vagos Metal Fest in Portugal, and it was the last show I will play in the band Overkill. For a while now I have been juggling a few different bands along with Overkill, and I knew at some point something would have to give since I simply can't be three places at once. Over the course of this last year, my schedule has reached that breaking point.
"At this time Shadows Fall is working towards completion of our new material that will take us back out on the road sometime in 2025, as well as our fall shows we have booked for the rest of this year celebrating 20 years of The War Within.
"Compounded on top of this is my new band, Metal Blade recording artists Category 7 whose album just hit the shelves last month and will start touring soon through 2025. All of this adds up to something having to 'take a break', so as of today I no longer play drums in Overkill so I can concentrate solely on the bands that I am a full member/owner of.
"Now don't worry – they currently have another great drummer already learning the material, and he will be ready to do battle for the upcoming tours. I would like to thank EVERYONE in the Overkill extended family for 7 1/2 years of laughs, killer shows, and fun around the globe.
"All our crew members throughout my run, our agents Dolores Lokas and Mike Monterulo, my tech Animal for always having my back (Shake and Bake), as well as all of our crew past and present, the SKULLKRUSHERS (much love Jurgen), and all the fans who supported my tenure in the band, I love you all, thank you, and will miss you on the European and King Diamond tours… but I'll see you out there with Shadows Fall and Category 7."
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Comments: 16
Visited by: 74 users
| Blackcrowe Posts: 498  |
Sad news, Jason it is their best drummer, the main problem with Overkill is their never maintained a constant line up, for me the main problem is They have never valued their bandmates as they should, for other side maybe it is the main stronghold that maintain the band unique style intact. But It’s hard to work with Verni and Bobby and they knew it.
---- Silence shrouds the forest As the birds announce the dawn, Three travellers ford the river, And southward journey on.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61700  |
I might agree Category 7, but Shadows Fall c mon. Its weird, really it is weird choose.
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7350  |
What the fuck is wrong with Jason?
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| Blackcrowe Posts: 498 |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 05.08.2024 at 19:48 I think it is not Jason fault …
---- Silence shrouds the forest As the birds announce the dawn, Three travellers ford the river, And southward journey on.
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| Metal God Contributor Posts: 116 |
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7350 |
Written by Metal God on 06.08.2024 at 01:06 Having side projects along with it doesn't give justice to his skills. This fad of labels incorporating a band to thump their own interests have tarnish the legacy of musicians. We have seen with Machine Head, Mikael Akerfeldt futile collaborations etc. Jason is awesome drummer. What the hell is with Shadows Fall?!
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61700 |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 06.08.2024 at 08:02 Thats my question to, well Maybe Overkill has 5 years left to tour and maybe 2 albums,. but still wtf is Shadows Fall?n
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6078  |
Let's hope they don't poach the drummer from Flotsam and Jetsam again. so as of today I no longer play drums in Overkill so I can concentrate solely on the bands that I am a full member/owner of. Perhaps implying that he was a gun for hire in Overkill, without full-time member status.
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| A Real Mönkey Posts: 1091  |
At least no one's Bitt(n)er about it.
---- "Change the world. My final message. Goodbye." ~Last words of Harambe, seconds before he was shot, according to child he shielded from gunfire
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| Metal God Contributor Posts: 116 |
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| Boxcar Willy yr a kook Posts: 9102  |
Bittner has been in Shadows Fall for basically their entire career, it makes sense that he would want to go back to them fulltime when they're releasing new material and planning on touring.
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| Boxcar Willy yr a kook Posts: 9102 |
Also had no idea he was the drummer for Stigmata. That's cool!
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| Metal God Contributor Posts: 116 |
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| Boxcar Willy yr a kook Posts: 9102 |
Written by Metal God on 12.08.2024 at 04:18 Anthrax must pay more 
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| Novas Posts: 232  |
Don't get me wrong, Bittner is one of my fav drummers & got to see them twice with the band. Just bring back the previous drummer Ron Lipnicki, who is still drumming for DD's solo band Verni. He's been Overkill's drummer from Immortalis until Grinding Wheel, then Jason joined. Before Bittner, I think he was their best drummer. Wouldn't mind hearing Lipnicki back. Also Shadows Fall has announced before Bittner's decision to join Overkill they were reforming. Sucks, but was only a matter of time. Excited for Shadows Fall reformation though!
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| Metal God Contributor Posts: 116 |
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