Shadows Fall drummer Jason Bittner has officially joined the lineup of thrash metal veterans Flotsam and Jetsam. Bittner replaces Kelly Smith, who has amicably departed the band to focus on his family.

Bittner has the following to say:

"I have been a Flotsam and Jetsam fan for decades, following the band around the East Coast in the eighties and nineties. I've been lucky enough to be in the background of the Flotsam and Jetsam camp as a fan, supporter, and gear leader to my dear friend, Kelly David Smith.

"I am hard at work relearning all the classic FLOTZ material and can't wait to record and tour with the band in 2015. This will become my focus after the completion of the 2015 U.S. Shadows Fall hiatus tour, which will happen spring/summer 2015."