# What's In Paul Bostaph's Slayer Arsenal > Complete breakdown of Paul Bostaph's drum kit setup. Discover the gear Slayer's longest-serving drummer used from Divine Intervention to the Final World Tour, plus his current Testament setup. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** Paul Bostaph **Genre:** Thrash Metal ## Overview When people discuss legendary Slayer drummers, Dave Lombardo's name rightfully dominates the conversation. But there's another drummer who spent more total years behind Slayer's kit, recorded four studio albums with the band, and played the final note of their legendary career: Paul Bostaph. Born March 4, 1964, in San Francisco, California, Bostaph came up through the Bay Area thrash scene that birthed Metallica, Exodus, and Testament. His first major gig was with Forbidden, where he recorded the thrash classic "Twisted Into Form" (1990). But it was his 1992 recruitment to Slayer — filling Dave Lombardo's massive shoes — that would define his career. Bostaph's tenure with Slayer spans two separate periods: 1992-2001 and 2013-2019. Across these twelve combined years (making him Slayer's longest-serving drummer by total time), he recorded four studio albums: "Divine Intervention" (1994), "Undisputed Attitude" (1996), "Diabolus in Musica" (1998), and "Repentless" (2015). He also performed on Slayer's historic Final World Tour, playing the band's last-ever show at the Forum in Los Angeles on November 30, 2019. What makes Bostaph remarkable isn't that he tried to be Lombardo — it's that he didn't. While honoring the classic material, Bostaph brought his own approach: tighter, more metronomic, and incredibly consistent night after night. His technical precision became a different kind of weapon, proving that Slayer's music could devastate with surgical accuracy as well as primal fury. Beyond Slayer, Bostaph has played with Testament (1999-2001, 2024-present), Exodus (2005-2007), and his original band Forbidden. His return to Testament in 2024 proves he's still at the top of his game, bringing decades of experience to the Bay Area thrash legends. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** DW DW Collector's Series Maple/Mahogany (Custom Black (Final Slayer Era) finish) - **Snare:** DW DW Collector's Maple Snare, 14" x 6.5" - **Cymbals:** Paiste — Paiste RUDE - **Hardware / Pedals:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal; DW 9500 Hi-Hat Stand; DW 9100M Throne; Vater Power 5B - **Heads:** Remo Emperor Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium-high tension for maximum cut in dense thrash mixes ### Paul's Current Arsenal: DW Power Paul Bostaph's gear journey mirrors his professional evolution. Starting with Pearl in the Forbidden days, transitioning through various brands during his Slayer tenures, and ultimately landing on DW Drums for the Final World Tour era, Paul has always chosen equipment that delivers power, consistency, and reliability. His DW Collector's Series setup during the final Slayer years represented the culmination of decades of refinement. The maple/mahogany shell combination provides the perfect balance: maple's attack and projection for cutting through Kerry King and Gary Holt's wall of guitars, with mahogany's warmth adding depth and musicality. For live Slayer shows, Paul typically employed double bass drums rather than a double pedal setup. This visual and sonic approach matched Slayer's theatrical stage presence while providing the slightly different feel that some drummers prefer for sustained double-bass passages. The two 22" kicks were positioned for maximum impact, their synchronized assault driving songs like "Raining Blood," "Angel of Death," and "War Ensemble." The tom configuration — two rack toms (10" and 12") and two floor toms (14" and 16") — remained consistent throughout his career. This setup provided enough melodic range for fills and transitions without excessive complexity. Paul's playing prioritizes groove and power over flashy tom work, and his kit reflects that approach. Throughout his career, Paul has emphasized that gear serves the music. His DW setup wasn't about endorsement deals or image — it was about finding drums that could deliver Slayer's punishing material night after night, tour after tour, for years on end. ### The Snare That Survived Slayer The snare drum in thrash metal needs to cut through everything. It must be heard clearly during blast beats, provide crack during groove sections, and survive thousands of rim shots per show. Paul Bostaph's DW Collector's Maple snare delivered all of this for the demanding Slayer material. The 14" x 6.5" dimensions have become standard for metal drummers, and for good reason. The 14" diameter provides projection and power, while the 6.5" depth adds body without sacrificing response. For music that requires both speed and impact, this size hits the sweet spot. Paul's tuning approach prioritizes cutting through the mix. Medium-high tension on the batter head, tight snare wires, and minimal muffling create a snare that speaks on every stroke. When playing classics like "Chemical Warfare" or "Dead Skin Mask," the snare needs to punch through decades of guitar tone evolution while honoring the original recordings' character. The maple shell provides warmth that balances the aggressive tuning. Unlike steel or brass snares that can become harsh at high volumes, maple maintains musicality even when hit hard. For three-hour Slayer sets, this consistency matters. During the Final World Tour, Paul's snare sound became part of Slayer's massive front-of-house mix. Engineered for arena and stadium sound, it needed to project clearly to 20,000+ fans while maintaining the character that fans expected from Slayer's legendary drum sound. ### Paiste RUDE: The Thrash Standard Paul Bostaph's cymbal choice connects him directly to Slayer's sonic legacy. Paiste RUDE cymbals have been synonymous with thrash metal since the genre's birth, and both Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph have championed the line throughout their careers. The RUDE series was designed specifically for aggressive music. Heavy weights, bright tones, and exceptional projection make them ideal for cutting through massive guitar walls. Where traditional bronze cymbals might wash out or lose definition, RUDE cymbals maintain clarity even at extreme volumes. Paul's 14" RUDE hi-hats provide the tight, crisp articulation essential for thrash's intricate patterns. Songs like "Chemical Warfare" and "Mandatory Suicide" require hi-hat work that's both fast and defined — the RUDEs deliver both. The heavy bottom cymbal prevents the hats from opening too easily during aggressive playing. The Crash/Ride models throughout Paul's setup serve multiple functions. Quick crashes for accents, riding patterns for building sections, and everything in between. Slayer's music demands dynamic cymbal work, from the explosive hits in "Raining Blood" to the relentless riding in "War Ensemble." The 18" RUDE China adds the exotic, aggressive accents that punctuate Slayer's heaviest moments. Used sparingly but effectively, it marks transitions and adds variety without overwhelming the core sound. Paul's cymbal placement and selection remained remarkably consistent throughout his Slayer years, proving that when something works for thrash, you don't fix it. ## Key Facts - Slayer's longest-serving drummer by total years (12 years across two tenures) - Recorded four Slayer studio albums: Divine Intervention, Undisputed Attitude, Diabolus in Musica, Repentless - Played Slayer's final show ever at the Forum, Los Angeles (November 30, 2019) - Bay Area thrash veteran with Forbidden, Testament, and Exodus - Known for precision and consistency in replicating classic Slayer material - DW Collector's Series during final Slayer era (2013-2019) - Previously used Pearl, Tama, and other brands throughout career - Double bass drum configuration for live Slayer shows - Maple/Mahogany hybrid shells for balanced attack and warmth - Compact tom setup focused on power over complexity - Estimated kit value: $4,000-7,000 (DW Collector's Series complete kit) - Estimated snare value: $500-700 (DW Collector's Maple Snare) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-paul-bostaphs-kit **More LLM resources:** [Site index](/llms.txt) · [Full database](/llms-full.txt) · [Master FAQ](/llms/faq.md) · [Drummer index](/llms/index.md) *Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*