Ex-Overkill guitarist Bobby Gustafson recently discussed his upcoming project called Painward in an interview on the Pod Scum Podcast. He shared details about his collaboration with drummer Jason Bittner.
Gustafson has been writing songs since leaving Vio-Lence three years ago. He is now assembling the right musicians for the project. He has been working with guitarist Dave Orman from Nasty Savage and recently connected with Jason Bittner, the ex-Overkill and Flotsam and Jetsam drummer who currently plays for Shadows Fall and Category 7.
“I’ve been working with [guitarist] Dave Orman from Nasty Savage. I’ve been with him the longest. And lately, I guess I’m hooking up with [ex-Overkill and Flotsam and Jetsam and current Shadows Fall and Category 7 drummer] Jason Bittner,” Gustafson said. “He seems like a great guy. I just reached out to him. I never knew him before, and I reached out to him after the whole thing I saw where he left Overkill as well.”
Gustafson has already sent Bittner four songs. The drummer has completed drums on one of them. Bittner is currently finishing work with Category 7 and John Bush before returning to focus on the remaining tracks.
“I have four songs I sent him. He’s got one song he did drums to. When he finishes up with the Category 7/John Bush thing, he’s gonna come back and work on the other songs and try and get the rest of everything together,” Gustafson explained. “I’m hoping (new music will be released in 2026), because I really wanted it to be ’25, but this year’s gone.”
Gustafson has accumulated a substantial catalog of songs to choose from. This represents a new approach for him compared to his earlier songwriting process. Once Bittner is available, the band plans to select the best tracks and find a vocalist to complete the project.
“I’ve just got a whole list of songs, and that’s kind of new for me,” he said. “If it’s quick enough, early enough in the year, we might have something out by the end of the year in ’26.”
Background and Project Development
The Painward project represents a significant undertaking for Gustafson, who has been actively composing material for several years. Blabbermouth reported that the former Overkill members are collaborating on this new venture. This marks an important partnership between two musicians who share a common history with the legendary thrash metal band.
Jason Bittner’s involvement in Painward comes at a time when he is reassessing his musical commitments. Blabbermouth noted that Bittner has expressed a desire to focus on other bands and not be tied exclusively to one project’s schedule. This aligns with his decision to work with Gustafson on Painward while maintaining his current commitments with Category 7 and other projects.
The project is still in its formative stages, with several key positions remaining unfilled. Metal Anarchy revealed that Gustafson’s Painward project is actively seeking a vocalist and continues to develop its lineup. The guitarist has written sharp, aggressive songs that reflect his thrash metal roots.
The search for the right vocalist has become a critical next step in bringing the project to fruition. With the foundation laid and creative momentum building, Gustafson remains optimistic about delivering new music within the next year. The collaboration between Gustafson and Bittner demonstrates the enduring connections within the metal community, particularly among musicians who have shared experiences in high-profile bands. As pre-production continues and Bittner completes his other obligations, Painward is poised to become a notable addition to the metal landscape in 2026.
