SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner has been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and has canceled his previously announced appearance at the 2012 PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), set to take place October 31 through November 4 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.

PASIC is the largest percussion event in the world, which consists of over 120 concerts, clinics, panels, presentations and much more.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Bittner says, "Due to my recent health issues, I am under doctors orders to cancel my trip to Austin this week to perform at PASIC 2012.

"For over a week, what I thought was a stomach bug (and I was still on tour when all of this started), I came home last week and went to the doctors, and it was written off as just that, a bug. This past Saturday, the pain came back and lingered into Sunday, which forced me into the emergency room yesterday. After a day in the hospital, I was poked, prodded, tested and it turns out I have acute pancreatitis, which I'm told can be very serious if left untreated. They're not sure what brought it on (my doctor thinks it was viral), but I have been told by my doctors to not leave this week because I need to sent for more tests/MRI, etc., to make 100% sure I'll be road ready for the second leg of the SHADOWS FALL tour, which starts November 8. I should be fine, but needless to say, I'm very disappointed I will not be able to come perform in Austin this week! Maybe PASIC 2013??"

SHADOWS FALL's tour with GOD FORBID, THY WILL BE DONE and TRUMPET THE HARLOT will kick off in Norfolk, Virginia.

The band is touring in support of its new album, "Fire From The Sky", which sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Fire From The Sky" was released on May 15 via Razor & Tie.