# Ray Luzier vs Scott Travis — Q&A Comparison | MetalForge > Structured Q&A: Ray Luzier (Korn, 2007–present) vs Scott Travis (Judas Priest, 1989–present). Two technically accomplished replacement drummers who each outlasted the eras that preceded them. **Category:** Nu Metal / Heavy Metal · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/ray-luzier-vs-scott-travis --- **Q: Who is Ray Luzier?** A: Ray Luzier (born June 14, 1970, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) has been the drummer for Korn since 2007, replacing founding member David Silveria. A Musicians Institute graduate, Luzier previously played with David Lee Roth's band (1997–2005) and Army of Anyone alongside Stone Temple Pilots' DeLeo brothers. He has recorded "Korn III: Remember Who You Are" (2010) through "Requiem" (2022) with Korn and also leads supergroup KXM with George Lynch. **Q: Who is Scott Travis?** A: Scott Travis (born September 6, 1961, in Norfolk, Virginia) has been the drummer for Judas Priest since 1989, replacing Dave Holland. He is the only American member in the band's history and immediately reshaped Priest's sound on "Painkiller" (1990), widely regarded as one of the greatest metal drumming performances ever recorded. Before Priest, Travis was a founding member of neoclassical shred band Racer X alongside guitarist Paul Gilbert. **Q: Who is the current drummer for Korn?** A: Ray Luzier has been Korn's drummer since 2007. He made his live debut with the band in January 2008 and was officially announced as a full member in 2009, having learned 30 Korn songs for his audition when asked to prepare only 5. **Q: Who is the current drummer for Judas Priest?** A: Scott Travis has been Judas Priest's drummer since 1989. He has recorded every Judas Priest album since "Painkiller" (1990), including "Angel of Retribution" (2005), "Redeemer of Souls" (2014), "Firepower" (2018), and "Invincible Shield" (2024) — the longest tenure of any drummer in the band's history. **Q: What is the main stylistic difference between Ray Luzier and Scott Travis?** A: Ray Luzier fuses technical precision with groove-heavy playing suited to Korn's syncopated, hip-hop-influenced rhythms, drawing on jazz and funk influences like Vinnie Colaiuta and Dennis Chambers. Scott Travis is defined by relentless, machine-like double bass technique — his "Painkiller" performance set a new standard for speed married to groove and dynamics, drawing on drum corps rudiments and influences like Neil Peart and Dave Lombardo. **Q: What drums does Ray Luzier play?** A: Ray Luzier plays a Pearl Reference Series kit with a Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass snare, powered by a DW 9002 double pedal and Pearl D-2000 Roadster Throne. **Q: What drums does Scott Travis play?** A: Scott Travis plays a ddrum Dominion Series kit with a ddrum Scott Travis Signature 14"x6.5" snare, driven by a DW 9000 Series double pedal mounted in a Gibraltar Rack System. **Q: What cymbals do Ray Luzier and Scott Travis use?** A: Ray Luzier uses Sabian AAX Series cymbals (14" Stage Hi-Hats, 18"/19" X-Plosion Crashes, 21" Stage Ride, 18" AAXtreme China). Scott Travis uses Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series cymbals (14" RUDE Hi-Hats, 18"/19" RUDE Crashes, 22" RUDE Power Ride, 18" RUDE China). **Q: What sticks do they use?** A: Ray Luzier uses his signature Vic Firth Ray Luzier sticks. Scott Travis uses Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks paired with Remo drumheads. **Q: What band did Scott Travis play in before Judas Priest?** A: Scott Travis was a founding member of neoclassical shred metal band Racer X alongside guitarist Paul Gilbert, recording "Street Lethal" (1986) and "Second Heat" (1987) before joining Judas Priest in 1989. **Q: What is the verdict — Ray Luzier vs Scott Travis?** A: Ray Luzier and Scott Travis are metal's definitive examples of replacement drummers who equaled or outlasted the legacy era they joined. Luzier brought session-musician versatility to Korn's alt-metal groove across nearly two decades; Travis brought neoclassical shred precision to Judas Priest's classic heavy metal across 35-plus years and seven studio albums since "Painkiller." Different musical contexts, same defining trait: drumming longevity built on technical accomplishment. --- *Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/ray-luzier-vs-scott-travis](https://metalforge.io/vs/ray-luzier-vs-scott-travis)* *[Ray Luzier drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/ray-luzier)* *[Scott Travis drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/scott-travis)* --- *Last updated: 2026-07-02 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*