SLAYER's KERRY KING Slams Former Drummer Over Timing Of Departure

April 8, 2002

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King has slammed former drummer Paul Bostaph over the circumstances behind the latter's split from the band this past December. In an interview published in the March 2002 issue of Britain's Metal Hammer magazine, King stated that [Paul] told me [that he was leaving] late in the game about four days before the end of the last tour. This one, with HATEBREED and DIECAST, was already on sale. So that kinda sucked.

At the time of his departure, Bostaph reportedly suggested that previous SLAYER drummer John Dette could take his place, which apparently caused King to tell Bostaph that, If you're leaving, I'm glad you're thinking of a replacement. But it's not your choice.

Despite the fact that Bostaph had already quit the group once before, the announcement that he was leaving the band a second time came as a shock to me, Kerry told the magazine. I think the two of us were closer than anyone else in the band. It was out of nowhere. I really thought he was going to stay and cover this part of the tour. It was already on sale and that would have been the stand-up thing to do. But he didn't, and I don't know what the hell he's doing now. [Bostaph has since joined San Francisco Bay Area's SYSTEMATIC]

Eventually, the group hired back Bostaph's predecessor Dave Lombardo to fill the vacant drummer slot and have since completed several weeks' worth of North American dates with the sticksman. Informed sources have told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Lombardo will continue to sit behind the kit for the remainder of SLAYER's upcoming touring commitments, which will take the group through the end of the summer.

Personally, when the idea [of Lombardo returning to the band] was brought up to me, I didn't think Dave could do it, King told Metal Hammer. I didn't think he'd have the chops. Because the last time he played for us, he didn't. He has better feet than he had when he left. His arms are still there. But he came in and he's slamming on everything. So I stand corrected.

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