Best Cymbals for Progressive Metal 2026 | MetalForge Guide
Best cymbal picks for prog metal: what Blake Richardson (BTBAM), Brann Dailor (Mastodon), and Matt Halpern (Periphery) use — ranked recommendations across every major cymbal brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cymbals does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me uses Sabian cymbals — HHX Evolution, AAX, and HH — for their complex, musical overtones. The Sabian mix delivers the broad dynamic range BTBAM's music demands — from soft acoustic-adjacent passages to full brutal technical death metal density.
What cymbals does Brann Dailor use?
Brann Dailor of Mastodon uses Meinl's Mb20 & Mb8 Series cymbals. Their dark, controlled tone anchors Mastodon's sludge-prog heaviness while giving Dailor's jazz-influenced melodic playing room to breathe. His GRAMMY-winning drumming on 'Crack the Skye' and 'The Hunter' demonstrates the setup's versatility in progressive metal contexts.
What cymbals does Matt Halpern use?
Matt Halpern of Periphery is a Meinl endorser who plays his signature Artist Concept cymbal line. Halpern's djent-influenced prog metal requires precisely controlled cymbal response — the Artist Concept's fast attack and controlled decay work well within Periphery's technically demanding arrangements.
Which Meinl cymbal line is better for progressive metal: Artist Concept or Mb20 & Mb8?
Both are excellent Meinl lines — the choice comes down to subgenre and preference. Meinl Artist Concept (Matt Halpern) suits technical prog metal and djent-influenced prog: darker, drier, faster attack. Meinl Mb20 & Mb8 (Brann Dailor) suits melodic prog and sludge-prog: slightly warmer with more sustain. BTBAM's own drummer instead runs Sabian HHX Evolution / AAX for a similarly complex, musical character. Play multiple lines before deciding — individual cymbal variation is significant in hand-hammered B20 lines.
What size cymbals for progressive metal?
Prog metal typically uses larger crashes (17"–18") for more tonal complexity than death metal's 16" focus. A 20"–22" ride provides definition and bell clarity for complex ride patterns. 14" hi-hats are standard, though some prog drummers use 13" for tighter response in technical passages. Dailor and Richardson both use larger setups with multiple crash sizes for dynamic variety.
Should I use stack cymbals for progressive metal?
Yes — stacks are common in progressive metal for unique accent textures. Blake Richardson and Matt Halpern both incorporate stack combinations into their setups. A 10"–12" effects cymbal stacked on a crash or placed inverted adds a distinctive trashy accent texture ideal for progressive metal's desire for tonal variety. Start with a single stack before adding more.