---
name: "Scott Travis"
band: "Judas Priest"
genre: "Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal"
country: "USA"
primary_brand: "ddrum"
profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/scott-travis"
source: "https://metalforge.io"
last_updated: "2026-06-06"
---

# Scott Travis

Scott Travis is a professional metal drummer best known for their work with Judas Priest, a defining act in heavy metal / thrash metal.

## Quick Facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Scott Travis |
| Band | Judas Priest |
| Genre | Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | ddrum |
| Drum kit | ddrum Dominion Series |
| Signature snare | ddrum Scott Travis Signature 14x6.5" |
| Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic 5B |

## Biography

Scott Travis (born 1961) is an American drummer who has been the drummer for Judas Priest since 1989. Known for bringing a double bass-driven, thrash-influenced style to the band, Travis revitalized Priest's sound starting with the landmark album "Painkiller." His technical precision, powerful double bass work, and ability to play complex patterns at high speeds have made him one of the most respected drummers in heavy metal. Before joining Priest, he played with Racer X alongside Paul Gilbert. Travis has also played with Dio's touring band and various other metal projects.

Scott Travis (born September 6, 1961, in Norfolk, Virginia) is an American drummer best known as the drummer for British heavy metal legends Judas Priest since 1989. He is the only American member in Judas Priest's history and brought a new level of technical prowess and double bass drumming to the band.

Before joining Judas Priest, Travis was a founding member of neo-classical metal band Racer X, where he established his reputation as a technically gifted drummer. His powerful double bass technique and precise playing reinvigorated Judas Priest's sound, particularly evident on albums like "Painkiller" (1990), which is considered one of the greatest metal drumming performances ever recorded.

## Band History

- **Judas Priest** — 1989–present (current)

## Gear

- **Drums:** ddrum Dominion Series
- **Snare:** ddrum Scott Travis Signature 14x6.5"
- **Cymbals:** Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series (14" RUDE Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" RUDE Crashes, 22" RUDE Power Ride, 18" RUDE China)
- **Hardware:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal, Gibraltar Rack System
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Remo

## Notable Performances

- Painkiller - Live (2015 Drum Cam) (2015)
- Judas Priest - Firepower Tour (Drum Cam) (2018)
- Judas Priest - Breaking the Law (Live) (2015)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What drum kit does Scott Travis play?**

A: Scott Travis plays a ddrum Dominion Series.

**Q: What cymbals does Scott Travis use?**

A: Scott Travis uses Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series (14" RUDE Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" RUDE Crashes, 22" RUDE Power Ride, 18" RUDE China).

**Q: What band is Scott Travis in?**

A: Scott Travis drums for Judas Priest, a heavy metal / thrash metal band.

## Quotes

> "Painkiller was a turning point for the band and for me. We pushed each other to new limits."
>
> — Drum! Magazine (2012)

> "Speed is nothing without control. You have to master both."
>
> — Modern Drummer (2018)

---

**Full interactive profile:** [Scott Travis on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/drummer/scott-travis)

**More LLM resources:** [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt) · [Full database](https://metalforge.io/llms-full.txt) · [Drummer markdown index](https://metalforge.io/llms/index.md)

*Last updated: 2026-06-06 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*