Jason Bittner explains why he left Overkill after seven years.
Long-standing dissatisfaction
Jason Bittner's departure from Overkill, announced last August, came as no surprise to those who followed the drummer closely. Already very involved in the reunification of Shadows Fall since 2021 and an active member of the supergroup Category 7, it seemed inevitable that Bittner would end up prioritizing his other commitments. However, in a recent interview for the podcast Scum Bridgehe revealed that his decision went well beyond a simple scheduling issue.
“If I'm honest, the impetus for me was my dissatisfaction with my role within Overkill,” he declared. “I haven't been happy in the group for two years. It wasn't a surprise that I left. I love the guys on a personal level, but I wasn't happy with my place, let's say, professionally, within this group. I was not a full member. And it's essential for me, at this stage of my career, to be involved in decisions. I hate being told just what’s going to happen.”
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A role of “committed musician” difficult to accept
Bittner explained that his role in Overkill differed from his past experiences, where he often played a more central role in groups: “During my career, I have always been involved in the creation or decisions of the groups in which I participated. Overkill was the only band where I was just a committed musician. Even in my previous projects, like Flotsam And Jetsam, I was a 20% co-owner. With Overkill, after seven and a half years, it became too much to bear.”
Despite his frustration, he wanted to clarify: “I want to be clear: I have no problem with the guys, I played the game, but I was looking for something else. I wanted to find a role where I could have a say.”
A new stage with Category 7 and Shadows Fall
Since his departure, Jason Bittner has fully focused on his other projects. Supergroup Category 7, whose debut album was released this summer, is planning a headlining tour for March. At the same time, Shadows Fall will mark its comeback with a new single expected for December 6.
With a busy schedule and projects where he takes a more active role, Bittner seems to have found a balance that better meets his professional and personal aspirations. This new chapter in his career reflects his desire to continue to develop as a musician and creator.
