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. Meinl Byzance vs Zildjian K — ranked recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cymbals does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me uses Meinl Byzance cymbals, primarily from the dark and vintage lines. The Byzance Dark's complex, hand-hammered B20 bronze 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 Zildjian K Dark cymbals. The K Dark's dark, complex B20 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 K Dark's versatility in progressive metal contexts.
What cymbals does Matt Halpern use?
Matt Halpern of Periphery is a Meinl endorser who uses Byzance cymbals, primarily the Dark and Vintage lines. Halpern's djent-influenced prog metal requires precisely controlled cymbal response — the Byzance Dark's fast attack and controlled decay work well within Periphery's technically demanding arrangements.
Are Meinl or Zildjian cymbals better for progressive metal?
Both are excellent — the choice comes down to subgenre and preference. Meinl Byzance Dark (Blake Richardson, Matt Halpern) suits technical prog metal and djent-influenced prog: darker, drier, faster attack. Zildjian K Dark (Brann Dailor) suits melodic prog and sludge-prog: slightly warmer with more sustain. Play both 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.