Slayer’s Paul Bostaph: ‘It’s Not Easy’ To Do What Dave Lombardo Does
Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph has spent over a combined decade with the group throughout multiple stints. In fact, he has spent almost as much time manning the sticks for the thrash legends as the iconic Dave Lombardo. Having been with the band for so long, it would be logical to think Bostaph has Lombardo's parts locked down, but he concedes matching them remains challenging.
"No, it doesn’t get any easier," Bostaph said when SF Station asked if replacing the famed Slayer drummer has gotten easier over time. He continued, "I think all the preparation I’ve done in the past, learning the material and trying really hard to be authentic as possible, I don’t really need to do that now, though now there’s a whole bunch of other songs I never played with the band. It never gets easy. Let’s face it, Dave is one of the top drummers. It’s not easy to try and emulate what he does. Just do your homework, and if you do it well, you’ll be prepared."
Speaking about being selected as the band's drummer again in 2013, Bostaph stated, "I never thought I’d get the opportunity again. I was very excited at the chance to play drums. I’d already been down and rehearsed and did the demo with Kerry [King]. I didn’t really get the news in the form of a call, more of a text."
On his third stint with Slayer, Bostaph was behind the kit from 1992-1996, leaving briefly only to return again the following year and exit once more in 2011. During this time, he played on Divine Intervention, Undisputed Attitude, Diabolus in Musica and God Hates Us All. He returned to the fold again in 2013 after Lombardo was terminated due to contract disputes, serving as the rhythmic anchor on Slayer's 2015 effort, Repentless.
Slayer's Tom Araya Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?'
Slayer's Kerry King Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?'
See Where Paul Bostaph Ranks Among the Top 50 Hard Rock + Metal Drummers of All Time