Best Hi-Hats for Progressive Metal 2026 | MetalForge Guide
What hi-hats are used in progressive metal? Discover what Mike Mangini (Meinl Byzance Traditional) and Blake Richardson (Meinl Byzance Dark) actually play — dark, complex, dynamically responsive hi-hats from budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hi-hats does Mike Mangini use?
Mike Mangini of Dream Theater is a long-time Meinl endorser who plays Byzance Traditional Medium Hi-Hats, valued for their warm, complex character that responds to the subtle dynamics and intricate technique his polyrhythmic playing demands.
What hi-hats does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me plays Meinl Byzance Dark hi-hats, chosen for the dark, hand-hammered complexity that carries BTBAM's dramatic shifts between acoustic-adjacent passages and full technical death metal density.
Dark or bright hi-hats for progressive metal?
Both work at the highest level. Dark hi-hats (Meinl Byzance Traditional or Dark, used by Mangini and Richardson) suit progressive metal's dense, layered arrangements and dynamic complexity. Brighter hi-hats (Zildjian A Custom) suit drummers who want more immediate live cut or split time with more straightforward metal styles.
What size hi-hats are best for progressive metal?
14" is the versatile standard for progressive metal, giving enough body for full-volume passages while still responding quickly to intricate stick work. Some drummers favor 13" for slightly faster response in highly technical, odd-meter-heavy material.
Do I need Meinl Byzance hi-hats to play progressive metal?
No — the Meinl Classics Custom Dark Hi-Hats offer a similar dark, controlled character to Mangini and Richardson's professional Byzance setups at a fraction of the price, giving developing prog metal drummers a genuine entry into the genre's signature hi-hat sound.