Jon Dette

Jonathan Dette (born April 19, 1970) is an American drummer best known for his time in the thrash metal bands Slayer and Testament. Over the years, he has also been chosen to fill-in with Anthrax, Heathen, Iced Earth, and Volbeat. Dette also played with Evildead and Impellitteri for several years.

Early life Dette was born in San Diego, California on April 19, 1970. He started playing drums at age 14. In 1984, The same birthday, his younger brother got him a copy of Anthrax's Fistful of Metal, which led him to discovering bands similar to Anthrax, such as Metallica and Slayer. With the band, he performed the touring lineup for Low, going from September 1994 to 1995, during which the live album Live at the Fillmore was recorded. In 1996, Dette auditioned for Slayer, following Paul Bostaph's departure from the band, a goal he had set since he was 17, and eventually got the opportunity to join the band. With the band, he performed consistently until 1997, when he was fired from the band due to a fallout with the members at the time, which led to Bostaph returning to the band. Following his departure from Slayer, he returned to Testament for the time being until he departed again. In 2000, he joined Testament once more, as a fill-in. In 2004, he joined the band HavocHate for the year.

Later career

In 2011, Dette received the call to fill-in for Heathen, a thrash metal band from California. Dette filled-in for Darren Minter, who was unable to make the tour with Destruction and Warbeast. He performed with the band on a European fall tour supporting Motörhead. Once the time with Slayer was up again, Heathen hired Dette to fill in once more for them for another European tour. Later that year, Iced Earth hired Dette to play with them, covering for Raphael Saini, who had previously filled in during a tour with Volbeat. The same year, Dette also formed Meshiaak with a friend named Danny Camilleri. With Impellitteri, he recorded Venom and The Nature of the Beast, before departing the band in 2018. In 2022, Dette was hired to fill-in for Jon Larsen of Volbeat after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Bands Current

Former Apocalypse (1991–1992) Animetal USA (2011–2012) Evildead (1993–1994) Impellitteri (2012–2018) Meshiaak (2013–2017) Pushed (2000–2003) Slayer (1996–1997, 2013) Terror Testament (1994–1995, 1997, 2000)

Live Anthrax (2012–2018) Heathen (2011, 2013) Iced Earth (2013) Volbeat (2022, 2025)

Discography AniMetal USA Animetal USA W (2012)

Testament Live at the Fillmore (1995) Live at Dynamo Open Air 1997 (2019)

Evildead Terror (1994)

Slayer Control By Chaos (Live At The Dynamo) (2020)