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An Interview with Jason Bittner, Drummer of Category 7 and Shadows Fall

By Justin Smulison

One of the top metal drummers of today is a local favorite – Jason Bittner!

Since his early days with Shadows Fall in 2001, Bittner has emerged to become one of metal’s top drummers. A former student at the Berklee College of Music, Bittner has played with several rock and metal groups, and his abilities behind the kit pushed him to new heights with stints in notable bands like Toxik, Flotsam & Jetsam, and more recently, Overkill.

When it was announced that he had co-created a new metal band with veterans such as Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head), Jack Gibson (Exodus), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob) and singer John Bush (Armored Saint), I was admittedly an instant fan. That quintet, Category 7, released their debut in 2024 to widespread fan and critical acclaim, highlighted with anthems like “Exhausted,” and “Mousetrap,” and “Apple of Discord.”

The success of Category 7 and what Bittner has referred to online as his co-ownership of the band, as well as the return of Shadows Fall, ultimately forced him to exit Overkill after two powerful albums (including 2023’s Scorched, a standout in their discography).

We talk about standout songs and albums from Bittner’s impressive body of work and what it’s like to be behind the kit for a superb metal group that is not a “supergroup.” We also learn a bit about his musical philosophies and contributions to an upcoming album from a rising metal unit out of California, Becoming.

This is also a last call for tickets for Jason Bittner’s Metal Birthday Bash All-Star Jam at the Extreme Music Awards 2025 – Jan. 11, 2025 at the Empire Live! in Albany, NY.

Full Disclosure: Some references during the interview may be obsolete, since this was produced just prior to Bittner’s departure from Overkill and Category 7’s tour cancellation for 2025.

Category 7 song clips: “In Stitches,” “Land I Used To Love”

Category 7 online
https://www.category7official.com
https://www.facebook.com/category7band
https://www.instagram.com/category7band
Tweets by category7band

@category7official

https://www.youtube.com/@Category7Band
See John Bush’s Category 7 interview here on RadioRadioX!
http://www.metalblade.com
http://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords
http://www.instagram.com/metalbladerecords
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www.ShadowsFallMusic.com