Jason Bowld built a reputation for heavy, controlled drumming that stays musical even at full volume — the kind of player who can hit hard, stay locked, and still make modern metal feel human. His approach combines power with discipline, and he’s known for adapting fast across very different settings, from industrial rock to metal to session work.
Long before Bullet For My Valentine became his main platform, Bowld’s career ran through the U.K. alternative and heavy scene, including Pitchshifter and projects tied to players from multiple genres. His ability to learn material quickly became a calling card, and it paid off in a major way when he was brought in as a stand-in for Bullet For My Valentine on the eve of their first U.K. arena tour (2010). That relationship eventually deepened, and he became the band’s full-time drummer in late 2017. Alongside the Bullet timeline, Bowld also co-wrote the album Vultures for the metal side-project AxeWound, featuring members connected to Cancer Bats and Rise to Remain.
A strong part of Bowld’s identity comes through in interviews and clinic material — especially his “old school” philosophy of playing without drum triggers, focusing on consistency and grit instead of technology doing the work. Outside touring, he also composes music across multiple genres for music libraries used in TV, and he has contributed to drum sample/loop products, including Toontrack’s Made of Metal and Drumdrops. Education has stayed important too, with experience at major drum events (DrumFest, Drummer Live, Frankfurt Musikmesse, UDE), plus published teaching work and contributions tied to the Rockschool syllabus.
Recent activity includes continued international touring with Bullet For My Valentine, along with ongoing session, production, and educational work.
Recordings / credits: Bullet For My Valentine (modern era touring + recording); Pitchshifter; AxeWound — Vultures; contributions to Toontrack — Made of Metal; Drumdrops.
Plays: Pearl; Paiste; Vic Firth.
Sources: Drummer’s Review (YouTube); Pearl Drums; Paiste Cymbals; JasonBowld.com; Toontrack; Drumdrops; Rockschool.
Update: 1/23/26
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