Overkill recruits Flotsam's drummer

Overkill Joined By Shadows Fall And Flotsam And Jetsam Drummer Jason Bittner - Blabbermouth.net http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/overkill-joined-by-shadows-fall-and-flotsam-and-jetsam-drummer-jason-bittner/ (Share from CM Browser)

I don't know how I feel about this...
Flotsam just made one of their best albums in years with Bittner, but I know joining Overkill is a good business move. They tour a lot more and record albums frequently. Still sucks for Flotsam though...
I would say get Craig back, but the way he was unceremoniously "dismissed", I doubt he would return.

It's a good move for Jason.

Damn, that's a bit of a slap in the face comment to Flotsam and Jetsam...."I am extremely excited to be a part, once again, of thrash metal history"

Flotsam and Jetsam might not be as popular as Overkill, but they are an iconic thrash band that rarely disappoint.

Good move on his part. Jason is an awesome drummer. I wish Shadows Fall would put out some new stuff.

It wasn't a slap in the face to F&J. He said "to be a part, once again, of thrash metal history". That pretty much includes F&J.

Overkill is more prolific. They tour more, release more frequently, probably pay much better. It's a smart business move. Good for him.

It would be funny to see if Bittner would bail on Overkill if Testament or Anthrax suddenly had a vacancy for a drummer.

I guess it just comes down to who pays better... Speaking of Anthrax, Charlie Benante has been having major issues with his hands lately, so who knows? Plus, his former Shadows Fall bandmate Jon is already with them.

It did strike me as a little odd that Jason would jump ship so quickly and excitedly, but whatever. He's a monster drummer and if this gives him a steady paycheck and keeps him busy, cool.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

It did strike me as a little odd that Jason would jump ship so quickly and excitedly, but whatever. He's a monster drummer and if this gives him a steady paycheck and keeps him busy, cool.

Yeah, I don't know if his jumping ship excitedly has to do with his relations with the Flotsam guys, or merely just the obvious, a better business opportunity.

Troublezone wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

It did strike me as a little odd that Jason would jump ship so quickly and excitedly, but whatever. He's a monster drummer and if this gives him a steady paycheck and keeps him busy, cool.

Yeah, I don't know if his jumping ship excitedly has to do with his relations with the Flotsam guys, or merely just the obvious, a better business opportunity.

Yea, it's his business and who knows what's going on behind the scenes. But if I'm in F&J and read this quote...

Quote :

Bittner states, "When my phone rang about two months ago and Blitz said 'Hey, me and D.D. [Verni, OVERKILL bassist] are wondering if you would be interested in joining?' It really didn't take much for me to write back a one-word answer.... ABSOLUTELY!

...I'd be like "Dude? What the f*ck, man? Aren't you OUR drummer? Just like that, you bail on us? Not cool, dude."

Eh, whatever. It's not like I'm seeing them live anytime soon anyway. If he sticks around long enough to show up on the new Overkill album, cool.

mc666 wrote:

It wasn't a slap in the face to F&J. He said "to be a part, once again, of thrash metal history". That pretty much includes F&J.

Overkill is more prolific. They tour more, release more frequently, probably pay much better. It's a smart business move. Good for him.

It's the once again part that's the slap. Like Flotsam and Jetsam weren't included in thrash history. It's not like he was out of Flotsam and Jetsam for years looking for a band to join, he jumped from one to the other. So I read it as an insult to them. Maybe he didn't mean it that way, but I think he should have worded it better.

Think about it? F&J or Overkill? How much do you have to think about it?

It's not like Flotsam's main man and lyricist bailed to join a bigger band......Oh wait, that happened as well!

Dark Horseman wrote:

Think about it? F&J or Overkill? How much do you have to think about it?

From a business standpoint yeah, it makes sense. But musically, Blitz's vocals are not everyone's cup of tea... and Bittner did say Flotsam was one of his favorite bands.

Troublezone wrote:

Dark Horseman wrote:

Think about it? F&J or Overkill? How much do you have to think about it?

From a business standpoint yeah, it makes sense. But musically, Blitz's vocals are not everyone's cup of tea... and Bittner did say Flotsam was one of his favorite bands.

If I had to make a public statement about joining a band, I probably wouldn't say... "yeah they're ok I guess". I'd probably claim they were favorites too. You gotta play it up like it's the best thing ever for the fans.

Yeah, that could be the case, but I think he also was probably more a fan of their first three old school albums.

mc666 wrote:

It wasn't a slap in the face to F&J. He said "to be a part, once again, of thrash metal history". That pretty much includes F&J.

Overkill is more prolific. They tour more, release more frequently, probably pay much better. It's a smart business move. Good for him.

This in spades !