Jason Bittner

[Speedy]

I got the Shawdows Fall cd and also read that bittner was #1 in the modern drummer polls for metal and recorded performence. His drumming to me was outstanding. His fills and double bass chops left me with my jaw dropped to the floor. He also has a drum lesson in the dvd that comes with the cd "the war within". it was pretty cool how he went thru the whole song (the light that blinds) showing his every move. They even recorded on video him playing the drums on that song when he was recording it for the cd. Great Metal Drummer! Some of the best drumming i have heard in a while in my opinon.

[krazykenny5150]

He is among hte best in metal drumming. He did do a lot of studying in the music field. awsome drummer. Any1 have modern drummer festival video yet?

[Doom]

I really dont know why Bittner gets so much fuss. I just dont see why people think he is better than Cavalera, Lombardo, Paul etc. Those three in particular have done so much more than him and Cavalera in particular just seems to get ignored.

[Bernhard]

It's not about who's faster madness....

It's about at the right moment in the right band at the right place

[meshuggah1324]

You're right, but I don't hear anything that Shadows Fall plays that I haven't heard before. Rather boring if you ask me. He's very solid and schooled I hear, so way to go Bittner!

[Speedy]

I just dont see why people think he is better than Cavalera, Lombardo, Paul etc. .

I never said he was better than them, or even mentioned them. But I like him more than the others. I like his creativity more than the others too.

[Colin]

Dave Lombardo is just plain badass.

I have yet to hear Bittner's drumming.

[Doom]

I never said he was better than them, or even mentioned them. But I like him more than the others. I like his creativity more than the others too.

Actually I shouldnt have said that people think he is better than them, its just that he is getting alot of praise lately and I think there are other metal drummers who are more deserving of it.

[Bernhard]

Ok, some new Drummerworld exclusive: Jason Jason Jason

[Wegadrummer]

woooah! *gaasping* the kit.. so, so .. yeah.. amazing..

[Brainstemm]

Hey just listen to the track "Those who cannot speak" that is sick in the chorus. not sure if its just your average 16th's or what, he makes it sound of time but it crushes so solid its just so badass. anyway bittner is my inspiration to get nasty on the kit so.....cheers to a well schooled player keeping metal drummers in the know.

[DrumNut]

He's a good drummer.

[Looking_For_A_Band]

Hey just listen to the track "Those who cannot speak" that is sick in the chorus. not sure if its just your average 16th's or what, he makes it sound of time but it crushes so solid its just so badass. anyway bittner is my inspiration to get nasty on the kit so.....cheers to a well schooled player keeping metal drummers in the know.
I completely agree with you on that. bittner is my fav drummer, very thick solid beats, if you know what im talking about.

[pete_on_drums]

Jasons one of the best metal drummers ive seen. Him and chris adler are my Favourite drummers at the moment

[fam]

i'm new to this site and have enjoyed what i've seen so far, great site. but i can't believe i haven't seen one mention of jason bittner yet. I think the drumming on The War Within is incredible! awsome combination of power speed and technique, everything just makes sence!

[zildjian_dude101]

That's what this thread is about fam. I think Bittner is an amazing drummer. He's not the fastest, but the way he puts everything together is awsome. I don't know, I just think his drumming flows very well.

[MSUMetal]

I've seen a few of you guys mention him, and I did a search and didn't find a post actually about him. I personally love him, and love the sound of his drums. He's amazing, especially in his intro to "The Light That Blinds," not necessarily the fastest but just about the sweetest sounding intro I've ever heard.

I believe he won the up and coming metal drummer of the year if I'm not mistaken, I'm sure someone will prove this correct or incorrect soon.

Anyway, your thoughts?

[T-1000]

I'm not too familier with him. But from what I've heard of Shadows fall, I'd have to say I like Adler better. The guy is just a bit more groovy. Bitt's got chops and speed to burn, though, and he's a dilligent drummer, so you can be sure he will (and, indeed already has) go/gone far.

[MSUMetal]

Did you listen to their new album? Cause if I remember correctly he's only on that album. Just wanted to make sure.

[zildjian_dude101]

He's pretty damn good. I like his style. He looks promising. I don't like Shadows Fall all that much, but I like his work in the band.

[Nick Garland]

After seeing both bands live, I by far prefer Adler. His playing in my opinion is far more creative. In Rhythm magazine there is an interview with both drummers, havent got round to reading it yet though. If you listen to shadows falls drumming it is very good dont get me wrong but it sounds less complex than alot of adlers drumming. I am also abit of a fan of Lamb of God, moment tickets were on sale for Astoria I booked mine. So I might have abit of a biased view.

Go listen to Lamb of God and Shadows Fall and I think you will see what I mean about the durmming, Adler if more complex in my opinion.

[TopCat]

It's a good interview. Im all for adler though, for reasons allready stated, and i prefer LoG.

[METAL_DRUMMER]

Adler has some complex songs but i think bittner does give him some competition. adler mostly does triplets in his feet and it sounds awesome. But i think bittner has more endurance when playing fast double bass. thats what i admire about Bittner

[Chris]

Jason Bittner is my favorite drummer. His parts on "The War Within" are just kick ass. In my opinion, Bittner is at the top of metal drumming, along with Bostaph, Cavalera, Hoglan, and Lombardo. Really kool guy too.

[jamsjr44]

I'm telling you check out MARTIN LOPEZ from OPETH and the song "DELIVERANCE" and that whole album, he is every bit as good. His double bass is sick.

[tambian89]

Bittner is certainly not the fastest, but I am a big fan of his drumming. He has excellent phrasing, he is very clean, solid, and is not sketchy at all. He is well-educated, and his work with Shadows Fall reflects it well. I personally think he is one of the best drummers of newer bands; I also think Jaska Raatinkainer is very good too.

- Marc




He is definately better than "The Reverand"!!!!!

[Jookbox]

he's not bad. i just don't think he should have busted out the different styles druing his md solo when it was painfully obvious he's not a latin or jazz master.

[hookedup]

After my band opened for Shadows Fall, I ran into Bittner backstage after he did his warmups. Great drummer for what he does but I don't hear a lot of the variety I look for in a metal drummer. I paid more attention to the people getting hit in the face with the leadsinger's dreads than I did his drumming, but I suppose that might be because I'd seen them before that.

I'm telling you check out MARTIN LOPEZ from OPETH and the song "DELIVERANCE" and that whole album, he is every bit as good. His double bass is sick.

I just caught these guys in Chicago, again, but still no Martin behind the drums. His drum-work is great for the music. He's a tasteful drummer when it comes to using his speed. That's very commendable these days. I did get to see his fill-in (drummer from Bloodbath) play a solo, which Martin doesn't do very often.

I recommend Opeth's DVD "Lamentations" to anyone that wants to check out their live show. The producion is top notch and it's a long double-set show.

[Bernhard]

he's not bad. i just don't think he should have busted out the different styles druing his md solo when it was painfully obvious he's not a latin or jazz master.

This is just a bit unfair in my opinion. I stood right beside hime at PASIC and I was really impressed by his powerful playing. Double as loud as most of the other drummers. This you don't get in the DVD!!!! And very precise. I compared live and know now, why he won the MD awards and fully agree.

Great and nice guy also with huge wide professional background for many years ....also as a teacher. Comments on jazz or latin are in this case really inappropriate.

Bernhard

[Bernhard]

I'm telling you check out MARTIN LOPEZ from OPETH and the song "DELIVERANCE" and that whole album, he is every bit as good. His double bass is sick.

??????

What has this to do with Jason? Is he involved with Opeth in some way or what??? or should this become a "Who is even bettter than Jason" thread???!!!

Hmmm, don't get it - this is the Jason Bittner thread

Bernhard

[jamsjr44]

??????

What has this to do with Jason? Is he involved with Opeth in some way or what??? or should this become a "Who is even bettter than Jason" thread???!!!

Hmmm, don't get it - this is the Jason Bittner thread

Bernhard

No people we mentioning other drummers in this thread who they thought their feet were just as fast as Bitners, so I mentioned Martin Lopez as another one. I'm not bashing Bittner, but I believe his feet gets him his most acclaim I don't think his overall drumming is that great. Yes he is very good but I would not classify him as an amazing drummer in my opinion, he doesn't make my jaw drop like Weckl and many others.

[drummer4satan]

Just by watching Jason Bittner play one could instantly get better. he is like the new innovator of double bass.

[figure_02]

I dont agree, I have seen far more impressive double bass work, I agree that he can do it pretty fast, but it doesnt sound as tight and inniovative as Vinnie Paul's for intsace, tho I love the kit he use! Meinl all the way xD

[Battered Sausage]

I'm telling you check out MARTIN LOPEZ from OPETH and the song "DELIVERANCE" and that whole album, he is every bit as good. His double bass is sick.

Amen brother.. Lopez is very much over looked in the drumming world.

[DrumNut]

I think Jason is very good heavy rock drummer and has good, strong feet.

Did he ever study with anyone?

[Symbolic]

He went to Berklee to study drums there.

[tambian89]

Bittner is very well-educated; never forget that. As Shadows Fall has released only 5 albums, we have yet to know the full extent of his drumming. Look at Dave Lombardo of Slayer; if one were to compare the drumming on Show No Mercy to that of Seasons in the Abyss, the difference is incredible.

- Marc

[cdawg_2010]

i like his unique set up! i love his double bass playing and i think hes one of the better metal drummers now.

[Symbolic]

Bittner is very well-educated; never forget that. As Shadows Fall has released only 5 albums, we have yet to know the full extent of his drumming. Look at Dave Lombardo of Slayer; if one were to compare the drumming on Show No Mercy to that of Seasons in the Abyss, the difference is incredible.

- Marc


And he, I believe has only played with them on 2 releases.

Alot of people are comparing him to Chris Alder, but I think if you look at both Bittner and Alder, Bittner is a better drummer IMHO. Chris Alder's playing is very one deminsional, he has the same type of playing on most of LoG's songs. It is different from other bands but he over uses the same kick pattern all the time. Same thing with fills. If you look at Bittner's playing though you can see that there is alot more knowledge and creativity to his playing. Go watch the Alder and Bittner videos on this site and you can see the difference in their playing abilities.

[Joe79]

I kinda signed up for this forum and forgot about it for like 6 months... ironically I've been posting on JB's forum. Jay is one of my most personally inspiring drummers. A lot of you guys are talking about how educated he is. A lot of people don't know this, but he only went to Berklee for a year (it's like $40k a year with room and board...). And yes, a yr at Berklee is still a YEAR at Berklee, but I'm saying that's just a small part of his getting to the level he's at.
You can go to his website and ask him - he will never claim to be the fastest drummer out there. He'll tell you he's a metal/thrash drummer. One of his biggest influnces is Benante from Anthrax. Jay actually filled in for him for 2 shows when CB recently had his baby - that's how much he's played along with Anthrax growin up. You can hear that in a lot of his beats as well.
The biggest thing I love about his drumming is that he writes drum parts that fit the song as best as he can - and that's the most important thing that we as drummers must do. There are some things about his parts that you can't tell as well from a quick listen as you can by really studying the song. If you haven't seen his 'drum lesson' on the dvd that came with The War Within, I'd recommend it. It gives you a greater appreciation for some of his parts. My two favorite songs of his are "The Light That Blinds" and "Ghost of Past Failures." In the latter you will hear a lot of the MD solo parts at work, like the tom pattern where he keeps the beat on the x-hat, the tom pattern,8ths on kicks, snare on 2+4. They're not impossible for others to play, but that's not the point. He's a making great music.

Also, for those of you who are real big into speed - to quote Jay (from a thread where people signed in as guests were coming on and anonymously comparing JB and Joey), "on the new SHAD record there's a Double kick song at 210BPM but I bet that's still not fast enough!!!" Obviously, the man is progressing, just like the rest of us.
(for comparison reasons, the light that blinds was recorded at 180bpm)

p.s. I'm a big fan of Alder as well, I just picked up Ashes of the Wake last week.

[KasteSuperdrummer]

This is just a bit unfair in my opinion. I stood right beside hime at PASIC and I was really impressed by his powerful playing. Double as loud as most of the other drummers. This you don't get in the DVD!!!! And very precise. I compared live and know now, why he won the MD awards and fully agree.

Great and nice guy also with huge wide professional background for many years ....also as a teacher. Comments on jazz or latin are in this case really inappropriate.

Bernhard


First of all, thanks Bernhard for this amazing site...
then, i agree with you about Jason, i really love his style and it's not important who is the faster in the world...we are talking about style, not only during a solo but also about the work with the band and all the stuff he is able to put in his songs!
I didn't know so much about Jason before reading and watching his video on Drummerworld but immediatly after i watched the videos, i bought on amazon his Dvd with Chris Adler... ^__^
it's a pity i live in Italy... i want Jason as a teacher!!!! ^__^

[DamoSyzygy]

He fits his bands music well, but like many others here I havent really heard anything that makes me go 'wow'.

(I am also very skeptical of studio recordings and the 'touch-ups' that can be done, especially when you are able to record on the budget Shadows Fall must have had - great sounding album!)

He's ok, and good for the metal community as far as his influence, but by no means would I consider him one of the great metal players.

[Exportdrummer]

Are you kinding me, He is like amazing i mean he works so much on just double bass but he is really fast and its hard to beat him.

[altered_beast]

he's doing a UK drum clinic tour soon, if anyone's interested I can post up dates/ locations. I'm going to the clinic in Hull hopefully : ) just hope i'm well enough to play drums again by then

[Bernhard]

He's ok, and good for the metal community as far as his influence, but by no means would I consider him one of the great metal players.

I consider him. I stood beside him. Believe me!!!

Bernhard

[micsmi52003]

I hate to say that I just discovered Jason Bittner around six months ago. Needless to say I think the guy is an outstanding drummer. His performance at the Modern Drummer Festival was amazing. Just wanted to get an idea on other drummers opinion of Jason Bittner and get a feel for where other drummers feel he fits into the drumming community. I think he's a great drummer... agree or disagree? Thanks in advance for sharing your feedback.

[DamoSyzygy]

Are you kinding me, He is like amazing i mean he works so much on just double bass but he is really fast and its hard to beat him.
Assuming double kick and speed are important - which they arent by themselves - I can think of at least a dozen metal drummers out there that would bury him in both departments.

Dont get me wrong - Jason is doing some great things for the metal drumming community, and when people get excited by his playing and study his every move its only ever a good thing for drumming. Im simply saying that I didnt see anything in the MD DVD or hear anything on his albums that really moved me.

To each his own.

[figure_02]

I kinda signed up for this forum and forgot about it for like 6 months... ironically I've been posting on JB's forum. Jay is one of my most personally inspiring drummers. A lot of you guys are talking about how educated he is. A lot of people don't know this, but he only went to Berklee for a year (it's like $40k a year with room and board...). And yes, a yr at Berklee is still a YEAR at Berklee, but I'm saying that's just a small part of his getting to the level he's at.
You can go to his website and ask him - he will never claim to be the fastest drummer out there. He'll tell you he's a metal/thrash drummer. One of his biggest influnces is Benante from Anthrax. Jay actually filled in for him for 2 shows when CB recently had his baby - that's how much he's played along with Anthrax growin up. You can hear that in a lot of his beats as well.
The biggest thing I love about his drumming is that he writes drum parts that fit the song as best as he can - and that's the most important thing that we as drummers must do. There are some things about his parts that you can't tell as well from a quick listen as you can by really studying the song. If you haven't seen his 'drum lesson' on the dvd that came with The War Within, I'd recommend it. It gives you a greater appreciation for some of his parts. My two favorite songs of his are "The Light That Blinds" and "Ghost of Past Failures." In the latter you will hear a lot of the MD solo parts at work, like the tom pattern where he keeps the beat on the x-hat, the tom pattern,8ths on kicks, snare on 2+4. They're not impossible for others to play, but that's not the point. He's a making great music.

Also, for those of you who are real big into speed - to quote Jay (from a thread where people signed in as guests were coming on and anonymously comparing JB and Joey), "on the new SHAD record there's a Double kick song at 210BPM but I bet that's still not fast enough!!!" Obviously, the man is progressing, just like the rest of us.
(for comparison reasons, the light that blinds was recorded at 180bpm)

p.s. I'm a big fan of Alder as well, I just picked up Ashes of the Wake last week.

Is this a song from Fallout from the War? Wich one? On the MD festival he said that he could only come up to 210 on a good day, but only for like two bars.

[Mr. Pasquini]

I guess I'll be the black sheep. I am not particularly impressed by him. He's a good drummer, but I wouldn't say that hands down he's better than Chris Adler or that he's the best metal drummer around. I think his style is a little dry and sometimes he just loses me. I have one of Shadows Fall's albums. I really don't like the band, but just listening to the drum tracks, sometimes it just kinda seems he doesn't belong.

Just my $0.02

[Bernhard]

Assuming double kick and speed are important - which they arent by themselves - I can think of at least a dozen metal drummers out there that would bury him in both departments.

Dont get me wrong - Jason is doing some great things for the metal drumming community, and when people get excited by his playing and study his every move its only ever a good thing for drumming. Im simply saying that I didnt see anything in the MD DVD or hear anything on his albums that really moved me.

To each his own.

Again and again: sorry Damo - you really don't get it!! he was voted the No. 1 drummer with good reason.

I stood behind him at Pasic (and behind all other drummers too). But Jason had by far the most professional punch of all - heavyweight champion. Perhaps doesn't work out well on DVD's - but be sure: Washed with all waters and a true master.

He's also a really good professional teacher with the most solid technical background inklusive fine brushwork and jazz.

Speed???? What is this??? Be sure, there is enough speed around!!!

Bernhard

[Derek Roddy]

I still don't get it with the "who is better, faster than who thing".
It's a basic fact that Jason is a KILLER drummer, KILLER person, and KILLER friend.
If any of you want to beat up on anybody....
Start doing this crap to the OTHER instrumentalist who stand on stage with us!
(Not that I condone such behavior! LOL.)
D.

[Tim Waterson]

I still don't get it with the "who is better, faster than who thing".
It's a basic fact that Jason is a KILLER drummer, KILLER person, and KILLER friend.
If any of you want to beat up on anybody....
Start doing this crap to the OTHER instrumentalist who stand on stage with us!
(Not that I condone such behavior! LOL.)
D.

DEREK
thats a GREAT idea lets start to pick on the other musicians LOL
we as drummers are supposed to STICK together.
Unfortunately speed has and will always be an isuue for some drummers in comparison.
Yes Jason and Chris are both good drummers and should not be compared but drummers will always compare their heroes with so snd so...LOL

drummers as a rule are still going to be more excited by dennis chambers blazing around the kit than Bernard Burdie doing his purdie shuffle both are valid and none is better than the other just different.....
we have all heard the crowd go nuts when a drummer does a blazing fill.....
Tim

[drumminbro23]

Jason is defantly an amazing drummer. There are faster and there to some ppl are better metal drummers than him. Im not saying he's the best. All im sayin is he is great and his drumming fits the songs its in.

[Freeway-Drummer]

In my opinion Jason is one of the best metal-drummer of all times. I just watched some videos of him and learned much. And his Mb10 Bell Blast Ride from Meinl is a great ride for many styles.

[OldHippy]

I just read the MD article and went out and bought a copy of War Within. What style of metal do these guys play? I got through it without any damage being done, which is pretty amazing for someone who only listens to jazz. (Actually I liked it)

[JoeyWaters]

I have heard Bittner's playing quite a bit from CDs, I have seen him live and on various videos and I just don't see it. I think that he is a very competant metal player, and is very solid and plays exactly what he should play given his style of music. However, his playing doesn't hold my interest for very long. Its almost as if he plays metal the way a drum instructor that doesn't play metal plays metal (if you can follow the poor wording of mine). It is very textbook and stale to me.

I still think that he is a good drummer though.

[Mapex589]

Jason is doing a meet and greet at the Drum Headquarters in St. Louis, MO on May 1st. I am looking forward to meeting Jason as I have been a Shadows Fall fan since the first album. I like Jason's playing.....he is not the most creative metal player ever but he is a damn good metal drummer who plays for the song and he's a good teacher.

[razorx]

today was the first time i ever heard or saw his paying. i saw him on the modern drummer dvd. I think that he is an awesome drummer.

[fijjibo]

Ive met Jason.

Hes not only a great drummer, he's a really cool guy.

Like Derek said....

[mind_drummer]

No people we mentioning other drummers in this thread who they thought their feet were just as fast as Bitners, so I mentioned Martin Lopez as another one. I'm not bashing Bittner, but I believe his feet gets him his most acclaim I don't think his overall drumming is that great. Yes he is very good but I would not classify him as an amazing drummer in my opinion, he doesn't make my jaw drop like Weckl and many others.


Maybe not but what I like from Jason is his tasteful melodic fills and the sound color he get from his kit. For an Heavy Metal drummer, he is melodic and use the "Art of dynamics" in his playing. The guy can play Latin/afro-cuban rhythms and Jazz too.

[Green and Mean]

He is probably my favourite metal drummer. He has speed(ofcourse there is ALWAYS someone who can beat you with speed), but what makes him so good in my eyes, is how he plays. With taste! From last Modern Drummer I read that he had learned latin and jazz and stuff. As my drum teacher said, you have to know every style to play one style good.
Fact!

[Jeff Almeyda]

The thing that I like about Jason is that he subbed for Charlie Benante in Anthrax for a while. You sure as hell can't be a sucker and sit in that guy's drum seat...

[punkdrummer1]

Jason, is one of my biggest influences.

I recently read the article from Modern drummer on him, and it was awsome. It showed how talented he is, and the interview he did with Niko Mcbrain showed how much of a nice guy he must be. And apperintly he's good with kids, as he teaches drum's in Albany.

Jason has great speed, but isent sloppy. He is talented, and a great inspiration.

[trysthedrummer]

he's doing a UK drum clinic tour soon, if anyone's interested I can post up dates/ locations. I'm going to the clinic in Hull hopefully : ) just hope i'm well enough to play drums again by then I went to this one, really really good! I got a photo of us in the end hehe!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/trystan/DSC00501.jpg

[spartacus1989]

He is bloody good in the fact that he can use his hands as well as his feet which in todays modern metal drummers, it is usually a case of what you do with your feet!

Some of the points suggesting he can't play jazz on the modern drummer fest dvd were a little unfair. It is incredibly hard to go from a really fast metal beat to a smooth jazz beat is hard, and it is hard to make them actually sound good!!

He is a good drummer and I think people should respect that!