Jason Bittner's Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Shadows Fall / Overkill | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums does Jason Bittner use?

Jason Bittner plays a Mapex Saturn V (or Black Panther series) kit — an all-maple shell pack. His setup runs a double bass drum configuration with two 22" kick drums, two rack toms (10" and 12"), and two floor toms (14" and 16"). The all-maple shells provide a balanced, punchy fundamental with the attack definition high-tempo metalcore and thrash drumming require — a combination that suits both Shadows Fall's NWOAHM arrangements and Overkill's thrash material. Bittner is a long-time Mapex Drums endorser, using Mapex kits as the foundation of his setup across both bands. Full profile: [Jason Bittner at MetalForge](/drummer/jason-bittner).

What cymbals does Jason Bittner play?

Jason Bittner plays Zildjian K and A Custom Series cymbals. His setup includes Zildjian K 14" hi-hats, 18" and 19" A Custom crash cymbals, a K Custom 21" ride, and a K 18" china cymbal. The K series' darker, more complex overtones pair with the A Custom series' brighter cut to project above the mid-range density of both Shadows Fall's layered NWOAHM guitar arrangements and Overkill's thrash wall. The K Custom ride's defined bell is particularly suited to Overkill's thrash context, where ride bell accents cut through the guitar mass to mark rhythmic divisions in the arrangement. Zildjian is Bittner's primary cymbal endorsement across his career with both bands.

What double bass pedal does Jason Bittner use?

Jason Bittner uses the Mapex Falcon double bass pedal. The Falcon's adjustable action provides consistent response across both the primary and slave pedal sides — a critical feature for the sustained double-bass passages that define Bittner's drumming in both Shadows Fall and Overkill. At Overkill's thrash tempos, where double-kick patterns sustain at high velocities for extended passages, any mechanical variation between the two pedal sides becomes audible as rhythmic unevenness; the Falcon's road-worthy engineering is built to support the metronomic precision both bands require. The pedal's adjustable spring tension and beater weight allow configuration for NWOAHM's syncopated kick patterns as well as thrash's sustained velocity demands. See [double-bass technique at MetalForge](/technique/double-bass/drummers) for related context.

What bands has Jason Bittner played with?

Jason Bittner is best known as the drummer for Shadows Fall, the New Wave of American Heavy Metal band he joined in 1997, and Overkill, the New Jersey thrash metal institution he has been the full-time drummer for since 2017, replacing Ron Lipnicki. With Shadows Fall, he recorded six studio albums including The Art of Balance (2002) and The War Within (2004) — the two records most commonly cited as NWOAHM's technical benchmark. With Overkill, he has recorded two studio albums, The Wings of War (2019) and Scorched (2023), establishing himself as a leading figure in modern thrash metal as well as the NWOAHM context he originally rose from. He runs both engagements simultaneously — Overkill's primary touring and studio drummer while maintaining activity with Shadows Fall for reunion and select touring work. Full career context: [Jason Bittner at MetalForge](/drummer/jason-bittner).