Best China Cymbals for Power Metal in 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Discover the best china cymbals for power metal drumming. Expert recommendations on bright, theatrical accent cymbals for galloping rhythms and orchestral climaxes, featuring the china setups favored by Scott Travis, Aquiles Priester, Nicko McBrain, and Mikkey Dee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What china cymbal does Scott Travis use?
Scott Travis of Judas Priest currently plays an 18"-20" Paiste RUDE China, part of a Paiste cymbal endorsement dating back to 1987 — three years before "Painkiller" (1990), the record that became power metal's foundational speed-and-precision blueprint.
What china cymbal does Aquiles Priester use?
Aquiles Priester of Angra runs an 18"-20" china from his custom red-coated Paiste cymbal set as part of his current Angra return-era setup, chosen for maximum consistency at sustained 180-220+ BPM neoclassical double-bass patterns.
What china cymbal does Nicko McBrain use?
Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden plays an 18" Paiste Signature China, part of his British Drum Co. kit, delivering the bright, articulate voicing behind Iron Maiden's galloping, triplet-based rhythmic vocabulary.
Why do power metal drummers favor bright, cutting china cymbals?
Power metal's theatrical, keyboard-orchestrated arrangements and soaring clean vocals need a china that cuts through the mix rather than washing over it. Bright, cutting chinas like Scott Travis's Paiste RUDE and Nicko McBrain's Paiste Signature stay present against dense, layered arrangements — a dark, murky china would disappear in that context.
What size china cymbal is best for power metal?
18"-20" is the power metal china standard. 18" chinas respond fast enough for galloping double-bass accents, while 20" adds low-end weight for a song's biggest theatrical climaxes — the size Aquiles Priester's custom red-coated Paiste setup favors for consistency at extreme tempos.