Paul Bostaph, known for his long tenure as Slayer’s drummer, recently opened up about the ongoing comparisons between himself and the band’s original drummer, Dave Lombardo. In a refreshingly honest interview, Bostaph offered nothing but respect for Lombardo, acknowledging that their approaches behind the kit couldn’t be more different.
“I could never get away with that,” Paul Bostaph said, referring to Lombardo’s aggressive, often unpredictable playing style. “That” being the raw, visceral energy Lombardo brought to Slayer’s early recordings: a style that redefined metal drumming in the 1980s.
Rather than attempt to emulate Lombardo, Bostaph carved his own path. “I’m more of a tight player,” he explained. “I like things to be more on time. My playing is more locked in.” He admitted that trying to copy Lombardo’s approach wouldn’t have felt natural. Instead, he focused on bringing his own voice to the band’s sound.
Over the years, fans have often drawn lines between “Team Lombardo” and “Team Bostaph,” debating who better captured Slayer’s signature aggression. But Bostaph doesn’t see it as a competition. “I’m not threatened by Dave’s legacy at all,” he said. “He’s an amazing drummer and always has been.”
Bostaph’s drumming background is rooted in precision and discipline, shaped by his work with Forbidden and other Bay Area thrash acts. Lombardo brought a wild, unpredictable edge to the drums, but Bostaph took a different route: he kept things steady and tight, trusting that a more controlled rhythm was what the band needed during his years behind the kit.
Still, Bostaph holds a deep appreciation for Lombardo’s influence on Slayer’s legacy. “I watched him play many times,” he recalled. “There’s a fire in what he does that’s uniquely his. It’s not something I could ever replicate, nor did I try to.”
Instead of trying to fill Lombardo’s shoes, Bostaph brought a different kind of energy. He focused on making the band tighter, locking in with the riffs, and creating a solid backbone for the chaos around him. That contrast, he believes, is what gave Slayer its dynamic range over the years.
“It’s never been about trying to be him,” Bostaph concluded. “It’s about playing what’s true to who I am. That’s what Slayer needed from me, and that’s what I gave.”