Jason Bittner's Drum Setup on Shadows Fall's Threads of Life (2007) | MetalForge
Complete breakdown of the drum kit, snare, cymbals, and hardware Jason Bittner used to record Shadows Fall's Threads of Life (2007), the Atlantic Records alb...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drums did Jason Bittner use on Threads of Life?
On Threads of Life (2007), Jason Bittner played the same Tama Starclassic Performer B/B kit — birch/bubinga hybrid shells — that had defined his playing since The Art of Balance (2002): a double bass drum configuration with two 22" x 18" kicks, two rack toms (10" and 12"), and two floor toms (14" and 16"). For full career gear context, see [Jason Bittner at MetalForge](/drummer/jason-bittner).
Who produced Threads of Life?
Threads of Life was produced by Nick Raskulinecz, known for his work with Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver. It was tracked at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California, mixed at Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts, and mastered at Sterling Sound in Chelsea, New York. It remains Shadows Fall's only album produced by Raskulinecz, marking a deliberate move toward a bigger, more polished major-label production sound following the band's signing to Atlantic Records.
Was Threads of Life Grammy nominated?
Yes — "Redemption" from Threads of Life received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, held February 10, 2008 (the award went to Slayer's "Final Six"). It was Shadows Fall's second Grammy nomination in four years, following The War Within's nomination for "What Drives the Weak" in 2005.
What makes Redemption a distinctive drumming showcase?
"Redemption" pairs sustained, metronomically even double-bass — built on the same DW double pedal precision that defined "Idle Hands" five years earlier — with a dynamic shift into a more melodic, arena-scaled chorus. That combination of technical double-kick control and structural dynamic range is what earned the track its Grammy nomination and makes it the clearest individual showcase of Bittner's playing on the album.
How did Threads of Life perform commercially?
Threads of Life debuted at No. 46 on the Billboard 200, selling approximately 24,000 copies in its first week — Shadows Fall's first album released through Atlantic Records following the band's major-label signing. While it did not match The War Within's No. 43 debut, the Grammy nomination for "Redemption" made it one of the most critically recognized records of Bittner's Shadows Fall tenure.