Paul Bostaph

Paul Steven Bostaph (born March 4, 1964 ) is an American drummer best known as a member of the thrash metal band Slayer, initially from 1992 to 2001, again from 2013 to 2019, and in 2024, after the reunion.

His drumming career began in 1984 when he was 20 years old.

In addition to Slayer, he has worked with bands such as Forbidden, Exodus, Systematic, Testament, and BlackGates.

Metal-Rules.com describes Bostaph as "a true professional and one of the best drummers on today's metal music scene".

Bostaph's first interest was to play bass but he decided to play drums because he found a drum kit cheaper than a bass guitar.

He approached rock music listening to the Beatles and the Beach Boys, but AC/DC got him into rock drumming.

He bought his first drum kit at 15 and, after listening to Killers by Iron Maiden, he wanted to become a metal drummer.

Other influences include bands like ELO, Blue Öyster Cult and Black Sabbath.

His biggest drumming inspirations are Neil Peart, Phil Rudd, Clive Burr, Tommy Aldridge, Nicko McBrain, Cozy Powell, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Smith, Dave Lombardo, and Tommy Lee.

Bostaph attended Newark Memorial High School, in Newark, California.

He had a strong dislike to his schooling years as he thought, "I felt I had enough to get me through every day life, why do I need more?"

He was interested in sports and towards the end of his first year, his interest in music began, and he got a job, which took priority over his schooling.

Bostaph played drums for Forbidden from 1985 to 1992, playing on their first two studio albums, Forbidden Evil and Twisted into Form.

He also played on their 1989 live EP Raw Evil: Live at the Dynamo.

Paul quit the band in 1992, and coincidentally the very next day received a phone call about auditioning for Slayer.

In retrospect, Paul says that Forbidden was "probably" his favorite band that he's ever played in because it was "totally his band."

Following the departure of Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo in 1992, the band was looking for a new drummer.

Lombardo's drum tech was filling in, but constantly made errors.

After auditioning several drummers and listening to hundreds of demo tapes, Bostaph was recommended by Slayer guitarist Kerry King's guitar technician.

Slayer members listened to Forbidden records, however, they did not see how Bostaph could fit into the Slayer momentum – Lombardo's style being "over the top", while Forbidden was more melodic.

Slayer auditioned Bostaph with nine songs, and he made only one error on "Angel of Death".

Bostaph had to continually practice to improve the strength of his hands and feet; "I respected and loved Dave's drumming but as a fan, if they got a new drummer and I bought a ticket to a show, I would expect to hear the stuff that Dave does, that's what I would want. So, I went in and every time I had to learn a new song I would play them exactly how Dave played them".

Bostaph recorded four albums with Slayer; his least favorite is 1994's Divine Intervention.

This is due to the guitars not being loud enough as they were in the recording session, moving around to several recording studios, and a producer who had never done any heavy metal music.

The producer changed near the end of recording to Toby Wright – Bostaph stating "that record never had any consistency to it although a lot of fans still like it."

Bostaph left the band in 1996 to concentrate on his solo project, Truth About Seafood, and was replaced by Jon Dette; however, he returned in 1997.

His second favorite album is 2001's God Hates Us All; "The whole era that I was with the band that was the album that was the most well-rounded and mixed the best" with Diabolus in Musica.

Bostaph departed from Slayer after the release of God Hates Us All, following a chronic elbow injury he had sustained that would hinder his ability to play.

(although he later revealed that the actual reason for departure is because "Musically, I wanted to do something else". ) His third last performance with the band is recorded on the DVD War at the Warfield recorded on December 7, 2001.

Bostaph is yet to watch it as he feels "It's like breaking up with a girlfriend" and needs to move on with his life.

He remained friends with Slayer members, and when asked if he would work with them in the future, he replied "sure".

Unwilling to give up music, Bostaph joined Systematic in 2003 – a band which he had previously formed with vocalist Tim Narducci and guitarist Adam Ruppel before recording Slayer's Diabolus in Musica.

Bostaph introduced the band to Slayer's manager – Rick Sales – to help the band gain notice.

As the band needed a drummer in 2003, Bostaph was willing to help out.

In 2003 Bostaph sustained an injury to his knee, while playing soccer.

After finishing Systematics tour, Bostaph underwent surgery – not touching a drum kit for over a year until he received a phone call from Exodus members.

Bostaph received a phone call from Exodus' manager, who asked him to join the band.

Exodus bass guitarist Jack Gibson talked to guitarist Gary Holt if they should recruit Bostaph – Holt knew Bostaph while Exodus toured with Forbidden, as both bands were from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bostaph toured with Systematic for four months, although departed in 2004 stating: "I wasn't having very much fun and it's not for me."

Bostaph was temporarily replaced by original Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, which later proved to be a permanent arrangement until 2013, when the band announced he had replaced Lombardo for the second time.