Since Paul Bostaph joined Slayer in 1992, replacing the legendary Dave Lombardo, fans have naturally compared the two drummers. Both brought their own unique energy to the band, but in a recent interview with Blabbermouth, Bostaph made it clear that there’s no rivalry in his eyes — only respect.
Though he’s played a major role in Slayer’s legacy, Bostaph openly credits Lombardo as being a defining force behind the band’s signature thrash metal sound.
“When you listen to a band, you go, ‘They’re different. They sound different.’ It’s a double-edged sword. You can be different and miss the mark, and people don’t get you, or you can be different, and it will take people a minute to catch on, and people will say, ‘You are doing something different.’”
“It was really hard back then. With Slayer, they had Lombardo. They had Dave. Let’s face it: Dave is and was a fantastic drummer. He was pushing the envelope in that style, without a doubt.”
Precision vs. Spontaneity?
During the interview, Bostaph was asked about the well-known comparison between his precise playing style and Lombardo’s more spontaneous, over-the-top energy. His response? Honest, humble, and straight from the heart.
“Someone could say the exact opposite, like, ‘This guy really sucks.’ The first time I heard that — I’m a perfectionist at heart, but I’m not trying to play perfect. I’m trying to give the best performance that I can, and how my style has developed is just my development.”
“That’s the best way to describe it — it’s just my style and how I play from the heart. I like things to be tight. I like to keep my headbanging; I like to keep the band in time.”
Rather than trying to imitate Lombardo, Bostaph chose to lean into what makes his playing unique. He acknowledges their differences without trying to overshadow his predecessor.
“I can’t do what Dave does. I watched Dave play live when I wasn’t in the band, and I said, ‘I could never get away with that.’ I will never try to do that, and that’s his style, which I appreciate. My style is what comes from the heart; it’s what comes out when I play.”
No Competition, Just Individuality
What makes Paul Bostaph’s perspective so refreshing is his complete lack of ego. He understands that being in a legendary band like Slayer means comparisons will always exist — but instead of competing, he honors what makes both drummers stand out in their own right.
Whether it’s Lombardo’s explosive spontaneity or Bostaph’s laser-sharp precision, both drummers have made invaluable contributions to Slayer’s legacy. And as Bostaph puts it, his only goal is to play from the heart and give fans the best performance possible.
