When Slayer fired long-time drummer Dave Lombardo shortly before heading to Australia for Soundwave 2013 fans were shocked and now it seems Lombardo is out for good, with Slayer announcing Paul Bostaph as his full time replacement.
It was Bostaph that replaced Lombardo the last time he quit Slayer in 1992. Bostaph drummed for Slayer from 1992 til 2001 and in that time played on 4 Slayer albums – Divine Intervention (1994), Undisputed Attitude (1996 cover album), Diabolus In Musica (1998) and God Hates Us All (2001).
Lombardo reclaimed his position as Slayer’s permanent drummer in 2001 after Bostaph was forced to quit due to an injury. Now it seems history has repeated itself…again.
A statement released by Slayer explains the new look lineup, which includes Gary Holt who was brought in to replace now deceased guitarist Jeff Hanneman :
“Slayer’s Tom Araya and Kerry King are very pleased to announce that Paul Bostaph has rejoined the band on a full-time basis. Bostaph will be behind the drum kit beginning June 4 when Slayer kicks off the first leg of its 2013 international tour in Warsaw, Poland. Gary Holt will continue to fill in for fallen guitarist Jeff Hanneman”
In the same statement Araya notes that the band is still reeling from the death of Hanneman but are determined to not disappoint fans and excited to have Bostaph returned to Slayer:
“Paul’s a great drummer and a good friend, and we’re very happy that he’s decided to rejoin the band. We’re still pretty numb from the loss of Jeff, but we don’t want to disappoint our European fans, and we need to begin moving forward…having Paul back in the band makes that a whole lot easier.”
Bostaph added in the statement that he was elated once again be the drummer for Slayer after a 13 year absence:
“I’m very excited to be rejoining Slayer,” added Bostaph. “We spent a very intense ten years of our lives together, had a lot of fun, made a lot of great music, so for me, this feels like coming home.”
In February Slayer fired Lombardo over a contract dispute. Heavy metal drummer Jon Dette then temporarily replaced Lombardo as Slayer toured Australia.
