Scott Travis Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Gear History | MetalForge
How Scott Travis's drum setup evolved from 1989 to today. Every kit change across Judas Priest's discography.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Scott Travis's drum kit changed over the years?
Scott Travis's setup evolved across 3 distinct eras with Judas Priest, from the "Painkiller Era" (1989–2000) to their current setup. See the full era-by-era gear breakdown on MetalForge.
What was Scott Travis's first drum kit?
Scott Travis's earliest documented setup was during the "Painkiller Era" (1989–2000). Scott Travis joined Judas Priest in 1989, replacing Dave Holland, and immediately transformed the band's sound. Within months he was in the studio recording Painkiller (1990), an album so fast and technically demanding that it redefined what heavy metal drumming could be. His Tama Artstar II kit — birch shells chosen for aggressive attack and focused tone — cut through Priest's wall of guitars at speeds that seemed beyond human capability. The double 22"x16" bass drums, tuned tight and punchy, produced the machine-gun articulation that made the Painkiller title track arguably metal's greatest drum intro. He carried the same Tama rig through Jugulator (1997), Priest's heavier, more industrial-leaning experiment with Tim "Ripper" Owens on vocals.
How many gear eras does Scott Travis have documented?
MetalForge documents 3 distinct gear eras for Scott Travis, spanning 1989-Present.