Best Hi-Hats for Deathcore 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
What hi-hats are used in deathcore? Discover what Chris Turner (Meinl Byzance Dual), Ben Koller (Zildjian K Dark), and George Kollias (Zildjian K Mastersound) actually play — blast-beat-durable hi-hats built for deathcore's blast-into-breakdown structure, from budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hi-hats are used in deathcore?
George Kollias of Nile uses 14" Zildjian K Mastersound Hi-Hats for extreme-speed blast-beat articulation. Chris Turner of Oceans Ate Alaska uses 15" Meinl Byzance Dual Hi-Hats. Ben Koller of Converge uses Zildjian K Dark Hi-Hats for dynamic range.
What hi-hats does George Kollias use?
George Kollias of Nile plays 14" K Mastersound Hi-Hats from Zildjian, part of a broader setup that includes K Custom Dark and A Custom cymbals — chosen for their dry, cutting articulation at his documented 240+ BPM blast-beat tempos.
What size hi-hats for deathcore?
14" is the standard deathcore hi-hat size, used by George Kollias and Ben Koller. Chris Turner prefers 15" for extra surface area and control on Oceans Ate Alaska's technical, blast-beat-driven fill work.
Best hi-hats for blast beats and breakdowns in the same song?
Ben Koller's Zildjian K Dark Hi-Hats and Chris Turner's Meinl Byzance Dual Hi-Hats both offer strong dynamic range across deathcore's blast-into-breakdown structure. For maximum blast-beat articulation specifically, George Kollias's Zildjian K Mastersound is the extreme-speed benchmark; for maximum breakdown weight, Ben Koller's Zildjian K Dark leads.
Blast-beat or breakdown hi-hats for deathcore?
Both matter, but which you prioritize depends on your material. Blast-beat articulate hi-hats (Zildjian K Mastersound, Kollias's choice; Meinl Byzance Dual, Turner's choice) suit technical, Nile-style extremity. Breakdown-weighted hi-hats (Zildjian K Dark, Koller's choice) suit hardcore-leaning, moshable material.