Best Hi-Hats for Black Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
What hi-hats are used in black metal? Discover what Hellhammer, Frost, and Inferno actually play — Meinl Byzance Dark, Zildjian A Custom & K, and Paiste RUDE — from budget to pro, built for blast beat speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hi-hats are used in black metal?
Hellhammer of Mayhem uses Meinl Byzance Dark 14" Hi-Hats for a dark, atmospheric character. Frost of Satyricon and 1349 uses Zildjian A Custom & K Series for technical articulation. Inferno of Behemoth uses Paiste RUDE 14" Hi-Hats for explosive, modern projection. All three are 14" pairs — the genre's standard diameter.
What hi-hats does Hellhammer use?
Hellhammer of Mayhem uses 14" Dark Hi-Hats from the Meinl Byzance Series, part of his full Byzance cymbal setup. The dark, complex wash suits the raw, icy atmosphere of Mayhem's foundational black metal recordings.
Best hi-hats for blast beats?
Medium-heavy weight hi-hats with consistent bottom-cymbal contact handle sustained blast beat endurance best. Meinl Byzance Dark, Zildjian A Custom & K, and Paiste RUDE all perform well at extreme tempos — choose based on whether you want dark atmosphere (Meinl), technical articulation (Zildjian), or explosive aggression (Paiste).
What size hi-hats for black metal?
14" is the standard black metal hi-hat size, used by Hellhammer, Frost, and Inferno alike. It balances projection with the fast response needed for sustained blast beat work. Some players prefer 13" for marginally faster response at maximum blast beat speeds.
Dark or bright hi-hats for black metal?
Both work at the highest level. Dark hi-hats (Meinl Byzance Dark, Hellhammer's choice) suit traditional, atmospheric black metal. Bright hi-hats (Zildjian A Custom & K, Frost's choice; Paiste RUDE, Inferno's choice) suit modern, technical, and black/death hybrid styles. Choose based on which subgenre and production style you're chasing.