Best Cymbals for Black Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best cymbal picks for black metal drumming: what Hellhammer (Mayhem), Inferno (Behemoth), Daray (Dimmu Borgir), and Frost (Satyricon/1349) actually play. Paiste RUDE vs Zildjian A Custom & K — ranked from budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cymbals does Hellhammer use?
Hellhammer of Mayhem uses Paiste RUDE Series cymbals — the raw, unlathed CuSn8 bronze line that established black metal's foundational cymbal sound on "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas." His setup includes 14" RUDE Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" RUDE Crashes, a 20" RUDE Ride, and an 18" RUDE China.
What cymbals does Frost use?
Frost of Satyricon and 1349 uses Zildjian A Custom and K Series cymbals — 14" A Custom Hi-Hats, 16", 17", and 18" A Custom Crashes, a 22" K Custom Dark Ride, and an 18" K China. This is a brighter, more articulate setup than the raw Paiste RUDE cymbals most of his black metal peers rely on.
Paiste RUDE vs Zildjian A Custom — which is better for black metal?
Both work at the highest level of black metal — Hellhammer, Inferno, and Daray all use Paiste RUDE for its raw, explosive character, while Frost uses Zildjian A Custom & K Series for a more articulate, controlled attack. RUDE suits traditional, raw, lo-fi black metal; A Custom & K suits technical, blast-heavy precision playing like Frost's.
What china cymbal is best for black metal?
An 18" china is the black metal standard for brutal, immediate punctuation — used by Hellhammer, Inferno, and Frost. Inferno also adds a smaller 14" Blast China specifically for ultra-fast accent hits within Behemoth's technical blast beat passages.
Do I need expensive cymbals to play black metal?
No — start with a budget line from the same family as your target sound: Paiste PST 8 approximates the RUDE Series' cutting brightness, while Zildjian ZBT approximates the A Custom family's character, both at a fraction of the professional price. Upgrade once your technique and budget catch up.
What size hi-hats do black metal drummers use?
14" is the universal black metal hi-hat standard — Hellhammer, Inferno, Daray, and Frost all use 14" hi-hats. The size stays tight and controlled through sustained blast beat patterns at 200+ BPM without washing out.