Jason Bowld
Jason Bowld (born March 1974) is a British drummer, composer, and educator best known as a member of the heavy metal band Bullet for My Valentine.[1][2] He joined the band as a touring member in 2010 and became the permanent replacement for Michael Thomas in November 2015, achieving full membership status in 2017.[2][3][4] Bowld began playing drums at the age of 13, inspired by a school friend, and quickly progressed to local bands before turning professional in his early twenties.[5][6] At age 21 or 22, he signed with the band Stimulator to Geffen Records, marking his entry into the music industry.[2][6] His career gained significant momentum with industrial metal band Pitchshifter, where he served as drummer from 1999 to 2007, contributing to global tours and recordings alongside session work with producers like Andy Sneap and Colin Richardson.[2][4][6] Beyond Bullet for My Valentine, Bowld co-founded the metal supergroup Axewound with Bullet frontman Matt Tuck, co-writing their debut album Vultures in 2012.[2][4] He has performed as a session musician for notable acts including Killing Joke, Fightstar, Pop Will Eat Itself, and comedian Bill Bailey, and contributed to two albums for the band This Is Menace, featuring over 20 guest vocalists.[2][3][4] As a composer, he has provided remote drum recordings and original music for over a decade to clients in television (e.g., SKY TV), video games (such as Halo and Formula One), and various genres including rock, metal, drum and bass, and hip-hop.[7] In addition to his performing career, Bowld is an endorsed artist for drum brands like Paiste, Vic Firth, and Pearl, and he actively engages in education through private tuition, masterclasses, and clinics at events like Drumfest.[2][3][8] He wrote a monthly column for Rhythm magazine from 2007 until its closure in 2021 and contributed to educational resources like the Rockschool syllabus and Toontrack's Made of Metal drum sample library.[3][6][9]) With Bullet for My Valentine, he played a key role in their 2021 self-titled album, helping revive their heavier sound on tracks like "Knives" and "Shatters," supported their 2025 tour celebrating 20 years of the band, and, as of November 2025, is recording their eighth studio album, expected in late 2025 or early 2026.[10][11][12] Bowld also creates hand-painted drum skins as an artistic side pursuit.[7]Early Life and Beginnings
Childhood and Initial Influences
Jason Bowld was born in March 1974 in the United Kingdom.[1] Bowld began playing drums at age 13, inspired by school friends who were also drummers, and quickly became hooked on the craft.[5][6] Largely self-taught in his early stages, he developed his skills through persistent practice and experimentation.[5] His early musical tastes were shaped by heavy metal and industrial genres, including extreme metal like Slayer, where Dave Lombardo's aggressive style captivated him, and industrial acts such as Nine Inch Nails.[13] These influences fostered Bowld's interest in powerful, dynamic drumming that blended technical precision with genre-blending energy. This foundational period led him to join local bands, marking the start of his musical journey.[5]First Bands and Professional Entry
Bowld began his musical journey by playing in various local bands in the UK after picking up the drums at age 13, honing his skills through amateur performances and building a foundation in rock and metal styles. These early experiences, often in small venues and without formal compensation, allowed him to develop technical proficiency and stage presence before transitioning to more structured opportunities.[5] His professional breakthrough came at age 21 or 22 when he joined the London-based rock band Stimulator, which secured a record deal with Geffen Records in the late 1990s, marking his entry into the paid music industry.[6][3][2] With Stimulator, Bowld participated in his first professional recordings and gigs, including initial studio sessions and live shows that exposed him to the demands of label-backed projects. This period represented a significant shift from unpaid local gigs to salaried work, where he earned his first consistent income as a full-time musician.[6][3] However, the tenure with Stimulator was short-lived due to internal band dynamics and label decisions, described by Bowld as a "typical music business horror story" involving corporate shenanigans that led to the group being dropped by Geffen. These challenges tested his resilience, forcing him to navigate contract disputes and financial instability while seeking new opportunities, ultimately fostering growth in adaptability and networking within the industry. Despite the setbacks, this formative phase solidified his commitment to professional drumming, bridging his amateur roots to a sustainable career path.[5][2]Pitchshifter and Early Industrial Projects
Role in Pitchshifter
Jason Bowld joined the industrial metal band Pitchshifter in early 2000 as their drummer, having previously played in the band Stimulator.[14] This addition came amid lineup changes, with original members Johnny Carter and D.J. Walters departing, allowing Bowld to fill the rhythmic foundation for the band's evolving sound.[14] Bowld served as Pitchshifter's drummer from 2000 until around 2007, a period marked by the band's shift toward more electronic-infused industrial metal.[2] His tenure coincided with intensive global touring, where his reliable and dynamic live drumming helped maintain the band's high-energy performances across international stages.[5] In terms of creative input, Bowld's style emphasized precision and groove suited to industrial rhythms, adapting to the genre's demands by mastering click tracks and tight sequencing to lock in with electronic programming and samples.[4] This approach enhanced Pitchshifter's mechanical, aggressive aesthetic, providing a solid backbone that supported the band's experimental edge without overpowering its synthesized layers. Internal band dynamics during Bowld's time reflected a collaborative yet transitional phase, as the core members—including vocalist J.S. Clayden and bassist Mark Clayden—integrated new personnel to refresh their direction post-major label experiences.[14] Bowld's professional demeanor and family-oriented stability contributed to a focused group environment amid the rigors of touring.[14] Bowld's active tenure with Pitchshifter concluded around 2007 amid the band's intermittent activity and hiatuses (including 2003–2006 and 2010–2018), allowing him to shift focus to burgeoning session work opportunities that had emerged during his years with the group.[2] During the band's hiatus from 2003 to 2006, Bowld contributed to side projects, including co-founding This Is Menace with Pitchshifter's Mark Clayden. In the immediate aftermath, he pursued freelance drumming and side projects, leveraging the technical skills honed in Pitchshifter to collaborate across genres, while the band remained inactive until a partial reunion in 2018, from which Bowld was unavailable due to commitments with larger acts.[15]Contributions to Related Albums and Tours
Jason Bowld joined Pitchshifter as drummer in 2000, replacing D.J. Walters, and provided percussion for the band's fifth studio album, Deviant, released that year on MCA Records.[16] His contributions included driving the album's aggressive industrial rock sound with tight, precise rhythms that complemented the downtuned guitars and electronic elements, particularly evident in tracks like "Condescension" and "Wafer Thin."[17] Critics noted Bowld's "tight, gunfire drumming" as a standout feature, enhancing the album's polished yet intense production during its recording at Eldorado Studios in Burbank.[17] Deviant received mixed reviews for its shift toward more accessible nu-metal influences, but Bowld's solid performance was praised for maintaining the band's energetic momentum.[18] Bowld continued as the band's drummer for their sixth album, PSI, released in 2002 on Mayan Records, where he handled all drum parts amid the group's transition to a more electronic and experimental industrial metal style.[19] Recorded with producer Machine, the album featured Bowld's versatile playing, blending heavy beats with programmed elements on tracks such as "Stop Talking (So Loud)" and "Misdirection," contributing to its dense, layered sound.[20] While PSI garnered attention for its innovative production and lyrical themes of alienation, Bowld's drumming provided a reliable rhythmic foundation that supported the album's global release and subsequent promotion.[21] During this period, Bowld participated in Pitchshifter's extensive touring, including the Deviant tour from 2000 to 2001, which supported the album's rollout across North America and Europe.[22] Notable performances included a slot on Ozzfest 2000, where the band delivered high-energy sets emphasizing Bowld's dynamic live drumming alongside tracks from Deviant.[22] The group followed with the "P.S.I. on T.O.U.R." in 2002–2003, promoting PSI through club and festival dates, during which Bowld's technical proficiency helped sustain the band's intense stage presence amid lineup stability challenges.[23] These tours solidified Pitchshifter's reputation for visceral live shows, with Bowld's contributions earning positive mentions in contemporary coverage for their precision and power.[14] In addition to his core work with Pitchshifter, Bowld made early guest appearances tied to this era, including session drumming for Blaze Bayley's third album, Blood & Belief, recorded in 2003 and released in 2004.[24] His involvement provided heavy, driving percussion that aligned with Bayley's heavy metal style, marking one of Bowld's initial forays into side projects while still active with Pitchshifter.[5] Overall, reviews of Bowld's performances during this phase highlighted his adaptability and technical skill, contributing to Pitchshifter's evolution without overshadowing the band's collective industrial edge.[17]Mid-Career Collaborations
Pop Will Eat Itself and AxeWound
In 2010, Jason Bowld joined the reformed alternative rock band Pop Will Eat Itself as their drummer, contributing to their revival with a lineup that included vocalist Graham Crabb, guitarist Tim Muddiman, and bassist Davey Bennett.[25][26] He performed on their studio albums New Noise Designed by a Sadist (2011) and Anti-Nasty League (2015), providing rhythmic drive that fused electronic and rock elements central to the band's sound.[5] Bowld toured extensively with the group across the UK and internationally until 2016, including a notable appearance at the Beautiful Days Festival in August 2011, where the band delivered high-energy sets of their grebo and industrial-tinged tracks.[25][27] Bowld's drumming in Pop Will Eat Itself adapted his prior industrial metal background from Pitchshifter to the band's alternative and industrial styles, emphasizing programmed beats, samples, and dynamic shifts to support their dance-rock anthems.[28] This tenure highlighted his versatility in blending electronic grooves with live percussion for festival and tour environments. In 2012, Bowld participated in AxeWound, a hard rock supergroup formed in 2011 by Bullet for My Valentine frontman Matt Tuck (on guitar and vocals) alongside members from Glamour of the Kill, Fightstar, and Cancer Bats.[29] As the drummer, he contributed to their debut album Vultures (2012), delivering aggressive, high-tempo rhythms that underscored the band's post-apocalyptic metal themes.[30] AxeWound focused on live performances rather than extensive touring, with Bowld powering sets at major European festivals including Download Festival in the UK, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany, Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium, and Nova Rock in Austria during 2012.[31][32] Bowld's approach in AxeWound shifted to hard rock and metal foundations, featuring blast beats and double-kick patterns suited to the project's heavier, riff-driven sound, as showcased in drum-cam footage of tracks like "Burn Alive" and "Victim of the System."[33] These engagements demonstrated his ability to tailor precise, powerful drumming to supergroup dynamics across alternative and metal contexts.Other Band Involvements and Side Projects
In 2003, Jason Bowld contributed drums to the recording sessions for Blaze Bayley's third studio album, Blood & Belief, marking a brief involvement with the band that lasted through the album's production in 2004.[24][5] That same year, Bowld co-founded the metalcore supergroup This Is Menace alongside Pitchshifter bassist Mark Clayden, enlisting a rotating lineup of over 20 guest vocalists for their debut album No End in Sight. The project showcased Bowld's versatility in blending industrial and hardcore elements, with the band releasing the album in 2005, followed by a second album The Scene Is Dead in 2007, before going inactive in 2008.[34][5] Bowld also joined Scottish rock band Hiding Place in 2004, drumming on their debut album At One Time or Another, which highlighted a more straightforward rock sound compared to his industrial work.[5] In 2008, Bowld co-founded the studio project They Fell from the Sky with Hundred Reasons vocalist Colin Doran, recording demos that remained unreleased at the time; the band regrouped in 2020 and issued their debut album Decade in October 2021 via Say Something Records, featuring contributions from Dave Draper, Lee Erinmez, and Oly Edkins.[35][5] Bowld's involvement with German metal band Furnaze was similarly short-lived, providing drums for live performances including a 2009 support slot for Tarja Turunen, though no studio recordings with the group are documented.[36][37] In 2021, Bowld formed the electronic metal project Shadow Addict with Bullet for My Valentine bandmate Jamie Mathias on vocals and bass, ex-The Prodigy and Pitchshifter guitarist Jim Davies, and producer Nick Kingsley, releasing the EP Vibrations that year to explore synth-driven heavy music.[5][25]Bullet for My Valentine Tenure
Joining and Integration
In November 2015, Jason Bowld began filling in as drummer for Bullet for My Valentine when original member Michael "Moose" Thomas took a leave of absence due to his wife's pregnancy. Bowld, who had previously done session work with the band as early as 2010 during a brief illness of the then-drummer, stepped in seamlessly for the tour dates, performing every show thereafter without a formal audition process. This temporary role evolved naturally through consistent touring, allowing Bowld to build rapport with bandmates Matt Tuck, Michael "Padge" Paget, and Jamie Mathias. By late 2017, after Thomas decided not to return, the band invited Bowld to join permanently, a decision he described as an "easy answer" given his growing familiarity with the group during their shared travels.[4] Bowld's initial rehearsals and integration occurred organically amid the 2015-2016 tour schedule, where he adapted to the band's high-energy performances without prior extensive preparation sessions detailed in public accounts. Transitioning from his industrial rock roots in bands like Pitchshifter, Bowld found the shift to Bullet for My Valentine's metalcore style manageable, crediting his experience with "tight sequencing and patience" from electronic-influenced drumming for aiding the precise, groove-oriented rhythms required. This background enabled him to quickly align with the band's dynamic, emphasizing endurance and synchronization over the more experimental elements of his earlier projects.[4] The lineup change was announced by the band on December 4, 2017, via an official statement expressing enthusiasm for Bowld's professionalism and close friendship developed over two years, while thanking Thomas for his contributions. Early critical reception focused on the band's forward momentum, with outlets like Loudwire noting Bowld's established role in recent shows and recording sessions as a stabilizing factor. Fan reactions, as reflected in subsequent interviews, were generally positive toward Bowld's energetic style, though some initial discussions highlighted nostalgia for Thomas; over time, Bowld's integration was embraced, particularly evident in the warm reception during live performances leading into the 2018 album Gravity.[38][4]Key Tours and Recordings
Jason Bowld began contributing to Bullet for My Valentine's live performances as a touring drummer in November 2015, supporting the Venom album cycle with high-energy sets that maintained the band's metalcore intensity across North America and Europe.[39] His integration allowed the band to evolve their stage presence, incorporating more dynamic drum fills that complemented the shift toward melodic elements in their sound. By 2017, Bowld's role expanded to full-time membership, enabling deeper involvement in songwriting and recording sessions for subsequent releases.[40] Bowld's first studio album with the band, Gravity (2018), showcased his precise and versatile drumming, driving tracks like "Don't Need You" with aggressive double-kick patterns and subtle groove variations that supported the album's atmospheric production.[41] This was followed by the self-titled Bullet for My Valentine (2021), where his contributions emphasized a return to heavier riffs and faster tempos, reinforcing the band's roots while adding technical flair to songs such as "Parasite." In 2025, Bowld participated in recording the band's eighth studio album, with 13 tracks in development that aim to blend metalcore aggression with modern production, tentatively slated for late 2025 or early 2026 release.[42][43] Key tours under Bowld's tenure include the Gravity promotional run in 2018–2019, which featured sold-out headline shows and festival appearances that highlighted his ability to anchor extended sets. A standout live moment came during the band's 2016 Rock am Ring performance in Germany, where Bowld delivered a high-octane drum solo in front of 70,000 fans, streamed live and praised for its technical prowess and crowd engagement.[3] The 2023 Rock am Ring set further demonstrated his growth, with Bowld powering through a full career-spanning playlist that energized the audience. The 2025 Poisoned Ascendancy Tour—co-headlining with Trivium to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Poison—saw Bowld drive marathon performances playing the album in full from January to May 2025. However, the tour ended prematurely after the North American leg, with Bullet for My Valentine withdrawing from planned South American and Australian dates to focus on recording their eighth album; this decision led to public controversy, as Trivium accused frontman Matt Tuck of backing out unilaterally, prompting statements from both bands clarifying the situation. Despite the abbreviated run, the tour contributed to the band's most ambitious anniversary celebration yet and solidified their enduring impact in heavy music.[44][45][46][47]Musical Style and Equipment
Drumming Technique and Influences
Jason Bowld's drumming technique is characterized by precision and adaptability, honed through years of playing across genres. His approach emphasizes tight timing and control, particularly in double-bass patterns, which he demonstrates in masterclasses focusing on double-kick drumming for metal contexts.[8] This precision originated from his early work in industrial music with Pitchshifter, where he learned to play to click tracks and sequences, ensuring rhythmic accuracy in electronic-heavy arrangements.[4] In metal settings, such as with Bullet for My Valentine, Bowld incorporates dynamic fills that shift from subtle grooves to explosive bursts, enhancing the tension and release in songs like "Piece of Me" from the 2018 album Gravity.[48] Bowld's influences draw from a mix of rock, metal, and industrial drummers who shaped his versatile style. Early inspirations include Bill Ward of Black Sabbath for his foundational rock grooves and Mitch Mitchell of The Jimi Hendrix Experience for innovative fills, both of whom he credits from his youth.[48] As a teenager, Dave Lombardo of Slayer impacted his speed and aggression in double-bass work, while Josh Freese—known for sessions with Nine Inch Nails and others—stands as his all-time favorite for embodying session drumming versatility.[48] Broader band influences like Nine Inch Nails and Slayer further informed his blend of electronic precision and metal intensity.[4] Over his career, Bowld's style has evolved from the programmed rigidity of industrial projects in the 1990s and 2000s to the organic, high-energy demands of modern metalcore. In Pitchshifter, he prioritized sequenced tightness, but collaborations like Killing Joke introduced improvisation and eye-contact-driven spontaneity.[4] By joining Bullet for My Valentine in 2015, he adapted these elements into dynamic, light-to-heavy structures that suit metalcore's emotional range, as seen in his contributions to albums like Gravity.[48] Bowld's philosophy underscores authenticity, stating in a 2025 interview, "real drumming, no ego," reflecting his "old school" commitment to untriggered, natural performances over polished production.[6]Endorsements and Setup
Jason Bowld has maintained long-standing endorsements with several prominent drumming brands, including Paiste for cymbals, Vic Firth for drumsticks, Pearl for drums and pedals, and Evans for drumheads.[49][3][50] His association with Vic Firth spans nearly 20 years, during which he has praised the brand's sticks for their superior durability and feel compared to competitors.[3] Similarly, Bowld has been a Paiste artist since his early career, favoring their cymbals for their versatility in metal genres.[2] Bowld's custom drum kit configuration reflects a tailored approach for both live performances and studio recordings, centered around a Pearl Masterworks Birch kit with a double bass setup. Key components include a 22” x 18” kick drum (with two units, each fitted with Evans EMAD 2 clear heads), toms in 10” x 8”, 13” x 11”, 16” x 16”, and 18” x 16” sizes (all with Evans G2 clear heads), a 10” x 6” piccolo snare (Evans coated G2 head), and a 14” x 6.5” Pearl Reference Brass snare (Evans Custom ST head with dot). He employs Pearl Demon Drive pedals for precise control and a comprehensive Paiste cymbal array, featuring models like 14” Signature Heavy Reflector hi-hats, 19” and 20” Signature Heavy Reflector crashes, a 20” Signature Power ride, and specialized effects such as an 18” Signature Heavy China and 20” 2002 Novo China. Bowld uses Vic Firth 2B sticks, often wrapped with Vic Tape for enhanced grip during intense playing.[49][51] Over his career, Bowld's setup has evolved from more standard configurations in his early days to the premium, high-output Pearl Masterworks series in the Bullet for My Valentine era, allowing greater projection and customization for modern metal demands.[51] This progression emphasizes durability and tonal consistency, with consistent reliance on Paiste cymbals and Vic Firth sticks across phases.[2][3] For high-energy tours, Bowld prefers this double bass configuration, as seen in his 2025 Pearl Masters Maple kit with Burned Red Valentine finish and black hardware, designed specifically for large-stage performances like Bullet for My Valentine's European outings.[52] He plans to showcase a similar setup at The Europe Drum Show in April 2026, in collaboration with his endorsing brands, highlighting gear optimized for powerful, sustained delivery in demanding environments.[50][53]Discography
Studio Albums with Bands
Jason Bowld's contributions to studio albums span multiple bands, beginning with his role as drummer for Pitchshifter's later industrial metal releases. On Deviant, released on May 23, 2000, by MCA Records, Bowld provided drums across all tracks, supporting the album's nu-metal and electronic fusion sound; it peaked at number 35 on the UK Albums Chart.[54] Pitchshifter's follow-up, PSI, issued on May 7, 2002, via Mayan Records (a Sanctuary Records imprint), featured Bowld on drums for its experimental industrial tracks, emphasizing breakbeats and aggression; the album reached number 54 on the UK Albums Chart.[55][56] In 2004, Bowld joined Blaze Bayley for Blood & Belief, released April 26 by Steamhammer/SPV, where his drumming anchored the heavy metal compositions with steady, powerful rhythms on every song.[57] Bowld co-founded the metalcore supergroup This Is Menace in 2004 with bassist Mark Clayden (ex-Pitchshifter). Their debut album No End in Sight, released April 25, 2005, via Hab Records in a limited edition of 2,000 copies, featured Bowld on drums, lead guitar, and vocals across its tracks, with over 20 guest vocalists including members of Amen, Carcass, and Therapy?. The follow-up, The Scene Is Dead, issued July 23, 2007, by Earache Records, again showcased Bowld's drumming on all songs amid a chaotic lineup of guest contributors.[58][59] Bowld's involvement with Pop Will Eat Itself began around 2010, contributing drums to their reunion-era albums. He performed on New Noise Designed by a Sadist, released October 3, 2011, by Cooking Vinyl, driving the industrial rock energy with dynamic beats. For Anti-Nasty League, out April 25, 2015, via Rumjoint Records, Bowld's percussion supported the band's grebo and rap-rock revival. As co-founder and drummer of AxeWound, Bowld shaped the supergroup's heavy metal debut Vultures, released October 2, 2012, by Search and Destroy/Sony Music, delivering intense, groove-oriented drumming that complemented the vocal and guitar interplay.[60] In 2023, Bowld contributed drums to Hidora's album The Devil Only Knows, an industrial rock release that built on his earlier collaborations.[5] Bowld became Bullet for My Valentine's official drummer in 2017, following touring duties. He played on Gravity, released June 29, 2018, via Spinefarm Records, providing solid rhythmic support for its hard rock shift; the album debuted at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and number 17 on the US Billboard 200.[61][62] The band's self-titled seventh album, Bullet for My Valentine, arrived November 5, 2021, again on Spinefarm Records, with Bowld's drumming enhancing the return to metalcore roots; it peaked at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and number 32 on the US Billboard 200.| Band | Album | Release Date | Label | UK Chart Peak | Notes on Bowld's Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitchshifter | Deviant | May 23, 2000 | MCA Records | 35 | Drums on all tracks |
| Pitchshifter | PSI | May 7, 2002 | Mayan/Sanctuary | 54 | Drums on all tracks |
| Blaze Bayley | Blood & Belief | April 26, 2004 | Steamhammer/SPV | - | Drums on all tracks |
| This Is Menace | No End in Sight | April 25, 2005 | Hab Records | - | Drums, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals on all tracks |
| This Is Menace | The Scene Is Dead | July 23, 2007 | Earache Records | - | Drums on all tracks |
| Pop Will Eat Itself | New Noise Designed by a Sadist | October 3, 2011 | Cooking Vinyl | - | Drums on all tracks |
| AxeWound | Vultures | October 2, 2012 | Search and Destroy/Sony | - | Drums on all tracks |
| Pop Will Eat Itself | Anti-Nasty League | April 25, 2015 | Rumjoint Records | - | Drums on all tracks |
| Hidora | The Devil Only Knows | 2023 | - | - | Drums on all tracks |
| Bullet for My Valentine | Gravity | June 29, 2018 | Spinefarm Records | 9 | Drums on all tracks |
| Bullet for My Valentine | Bullet for My Valentine | November 5, 2021 | Spinefarm Records | 9 | Drums on all tracks |