Best Crash Cymbals for Deathcore in 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Discover the best crash cymbals for deathcore's blast-into-breakdown structure. Expert recommendations on brutal, controlled crashes for breakdowns and extreme-speed blast sections, featuring the exact crashes played by Chris Turner, Ben Koller, and George Kollias.
Frequently Asked Questions
What crash cymbal does Chris Turner use?
Chris Turner of Oceans Ate Alaska plays 18" and 20" Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Medium Crashes, engineered for the technical, blast-beat-driven fills documented on Oceans Ate Alaska's "Hikari" (2017).
What crash cymbal does George Kollias use?
George Kollias of Nile plays 17" and 18" Zildjian K Custom Dark Crashes as part of a setup built for extreme-speed clarity, sustaining blast beats past 240 BPM — the benchmark deathcore's fastest blast sections measure themselves against.
What crash cymbal is best for deathcore breakdowns specifically?
Ben Koller's Zildjian K Dark Medium Thin Crash is a strong breakdown-first pick, voiced with a dark, rapid-decay character that also handles fast, technical passages.
What size crash cymbal is best for deathcore?
17"-20" covers the deathcore crash range. Chris Turner runs up to 20" for maximum breakdown weight, while George Kollias favors a tighter 17"-18" spread for faster response at extreme blast-beat tempo.