In a recent interview with YouTube channel RichardMetalFan, Shadows Fall drummer Jason Bittner shared the surprising story of how he initially “hated” Metallica and Slayer, two of the most iconic bands in heavy metal. During the December 13 interview, Bittner revealed his early impressions of the bands and the journey that eventually changed his mind.
The Beginnings of Bittner’s Metal Journey
When asked about the first band that drew him into heavy metal, Bittner cited Iron Maiden as his gateway. “The band that got me into heavy metal, technically, is Iron Maiden. Maiden’s my favorite metal band of all time,” he explained, recalling how seeing them on MTV at the age of 10 set him on a lifelong path in metal.
While his love for Iron Maiden and Judas Priest flourished, Bittner admitted that his initial exposure to Metallica left him unimpressed. In 1984, a friend introduced him to Ride the Lightning. “I hated it,” he confessed. “I was used to Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford, so James Hetfield’s voice caught me off guard.”
From Disdain to Discovery
Bittner’s feelings toward Metallica began to shift when he found himself humming the riff from “Fight Fire with Fire” while delivering newspapers. Similarly, his first encounter with Slayer was equally unimpressive. However, albums like Reign in Blood eventually won him over, cementing Slayer as his favorite thrash band.
“A lot of the heavier bands, even ones I’ve been in, didn’t click with me right away,” he admitted. “But Slayer and Anthrax eventually became central to my love for thrash metal.”
Expanding His Influences
Bittner’s exploration of thrash metal grew to include the other members of the “Big Four”: Megadeth and Anthrax. He credits Dave Mustaine’s Peace Sells and Anthrax’s innovative drumming with shaping his style. Despite his thrash metal roots, Bittner also ventured into death metal in the ’90s, citing influences like Morbid Angel and Death.
“I’ve always been a thrash drummer,” he clarified. “I like extreme metal, but it’s not really my wheelhouse. My influences are all over the map, from Pete Sandoval to Van Halen.”
Shadows Fall’s New Chapter
Bittner’s journey as a musician continues with Shadows Fall, who recently released their first new single in over a decade, “In the Grey.” The song marks the band’s new partnership with MNRK Music Group and signals an exciting new phase in their career.
Meanwhile, Metallica remains a global powerhouse, ranked ninth on Pollstar’s 2024 Top Touring Artists list. Slayer’s legacy endures as well, with guitarist Kerry King recently naming Sabotage his favorite Black Sabbath album.
For fans eager to dive deeper into Bittner’s musical history, the full interview with RichardMetalFan offers an engaging look at the drummer’s evolution from Iron Maiden devotee to thrash metal stalwart.
