Best Drumsticks for Metalcore 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drumsticks for metalcore drumming: what Matt Greiner (Vic Firth Signature), Ben Koller (Vic Firth 5B), Alex Bent (Vic Firth 5B), and Nick Augusto (Vic Firth 5B) actually play. Strong rebound for breakdown-heavy dynamics — ranked budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drumsticks does Matt Greiner use?
Matt Greiner of August Burns Red plays his own Vic Firth signature stick — a 0.585" diameter model with an elongated taper, teardrop tip, and a dry-tumbled, unfinished surface. It's built specifically for the balance of technical speed and breakdown power ABR's compositionally dense metalcore requires.
What drumsticks does Ben Koller use?
Ben Koller of Converge favors a heavier Vic Firth American Classic 5B — a preference established during his earliest DIY hardcore years that carried through unchanged into 'Jane Doe' and every acclaimed Converge release since, reflecting his stripped-down, maximum-impact approach.
What's the best drumstick for metalcore breakdowns?
5B is the metalcore breakdown standard — Ben Koller, Alex Bent, and Nick Augusto all favor it for the mass it provides on slow, weighted breakdown hits. Matt Greiner's signature model achieves similar breakdown authority through an elongated taper rather than raw diameter alone.
Do metalcore drummers need different sticks for verses and breakdowns?
Many do. A lighter stick like the Vic Firth 5A improves speed and articulation for fast, syncopated verse patterns, while a heavier 5B or Matt Greiner's rebound-tuned signature model handles breakdown authority better. Some drummers carry both and switch depending on the section.
What drumsticks do Alex Bent and Nick Augusto use?
Both Alex Bent and Nick Augusto play the standard Vic Firth American Classic 5B, valued for its dependable balance of power and control across technically demanding metalcore and progressive-adjacent material.
Is a signature stick worth it for metalcore?
It depends on your material. Matt Greiner's signature stick solves a specific problem — balancing technical density with breakdown power — for August Burns Red's compositionally ambitious style. Ben Koller's standard 5B choice shows a well-chosen off-the-shelf size can carry a drummer through decades of acclaimed work just as effectively.