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".

Biography

Early years (1964–1984)

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.

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.

Forbidden (1985–1992)

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."

Slayer and solo project (1992–2001)

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.

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." (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". Bostaph was temporarily replaced by original Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, which later proved to be a permanent arrangement When Bostaph received the phone call, two members had already left Exodus, and drummer Tom Hunting was thinking about leaving. Bostaph knew how to play all the records except for Impact Is Imminent, and recorded drums on the band's 2005 album Shovel Headed Kill Machine. These shows temporarily reteamed Bostaph with his ex-Forbidden (band) bandmate Glen Alvelais. The November 27 show with this line-up at the Hollywood Palladium was captured on the Testament live EP Return to the Apocalyptic City.

Testament's official website announced Bostaph rejoined the group in October 2007. The Formation of Damnation was the first Testament studio album of all new material in nine years, and the first to feature Alex Skolnick on guitar since 1992's The Ritual, also the first to feature bassist Greg Christian since 1994's Low was released on April 29, 2008. This is also the first full-length Testament studio album to feature Bostaph on drums. This album was awarded the 2008 'Album of the Year' by the Metal Hammer Awards.

In June 2011, Testament began recording their next studio album, entitled Dark Roots of Earth, expected to be released on April 27, 2012. However, due to a "serious injury" (tendonitis in his wrist), Paul was not involved in the recording sessions; Gene Hoglan (who previously played on the band's 1997 album Demonic) filled in for him. He was expected to rejoin Testament when they tour to support the album. However, frontman Chuck Billy stated in December 2011 that Bostaph has left the band again.

Return to Slayer (2013–2019)

thumb|Bostaph with Slayer in 2013

On May 30, 2013, Slayer announced via their official Facebook page that Paul Bostaph had returned once again to replace long-time member Dave Lombardo behind the kit on a full-time basis. He appeared on Slayer's twelfth and final studio album Repentless, and stayed with the band until 2019, when they disbanded after finishing their final tour.

Other projects

Bostaph is also a member of a tribute band called HAIL!. HAIL!'s rotating cast of members include Andreas Kisser, Tim "Ripper" Owens, David Ellefson, Mike Portnoy, Jimmy DeGrasso and Roy Mayorga. Ripper, DeGrasso, Ellefson and Kisser formed the band in late 2008. The band, toured Europe in 2009 and in June 2010 HAIL! is on their second European tour with the following line-up: Andreas Kisser, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Paul Bostaph and James LoMenzo. Due to the death of announced bassist Paul Gray, LoMenzo agreed on only one day's notice to fly to Portugal and rescue the Rock in Rio Festival where HAIL! was scheduled to perform on May 30, 2010.

In 2013, Bostaph also worked with Geoff Tate, who at that point had control of the Queensrÿche band name. The subsequent album, Frequency Unknown saw Bostaph play on several of the tracks though he was not an official member of the band.

In addition, Bostaph played drums for the Bay Area metal band BlackGates from 2009 to 2014. The band also featured Dan Nelson on vocals and rhythm guitar. The band released a three-song EP in 2010, recorded and mixed by Tim Narducci of Systematic. Also released were the singles "Burn Eternal" (2012), and "Overcome" (2014).

Bostaph reunited with his former Slayer bandmate Kerry King on the latter's upcoming 2024 solo debut album, From Hell I Rise.

Equipment

Bostaph currently endorses Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, Paiste cymbals and Promark drumsticks.

Discography

Slayer

  • Divine Intervention (1994)
  • Live Intrusion (1995) <small>(live recording)</small>
  • Undisputed Attitude (1996)
  • Diabolus in Musica (1998)
  • God Hates Us All (2001)
  • War at the Warfield (2003) <small>(live recording)</small>
  • Repentless (2015)
  • The Repentless Killogy (2019) <small>(live recording)</small>

Forbidden

  • Forbidden Evil (1988)
  • Raw Evil: Live at the Dynamo (1989) <small>(live EP)</small>
  • Twisted into Form (1990)
  • Point of No Return (1992) <small>(compilation)</small>

Testament

  • Return to the Apocalyptic City (1993) <small>(EP of live tracks)</small>
  • The Formation of Damnation (2008)

Kerry King

  • From Hell I Rise (2024)

Queensrÿche featuring Geoff Tate

  • Frequency Unknown (2013)

Exodus

  • Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2005)

Systematic

  • Pleasure to Burn (2003)

References