Best Hi-Hats for Progressive Metal 2026 | MetalForge Guide
What hi-hats are used in progressive metal? Discover the Sabian HHX Evolution hi-hats Mike Mangini and Blake Richardson both play — dynamically responsive hi-hats from budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hi-hats does Mike Mangini use?
Mike Mangini of Dream Theater plays 14" Sabian HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, part of his Sabian HHX/AAX cymbal setup, valued for their crisp, articulate 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 14" Sabian HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, part of his Sabian HHX Evolution/AAX/HH cymbal setup, chosen for the crisp, articulate response that carries BTBAM's dramatic shifts between acoustic-adjacent passages and full technical density.
Dark or bright hi-hats for progressive metal?
Both work at the highest level. Bright, articulate hi-hats (Sabian HHX Evolution, used by Mangini and Richardson) suit progressive metal's polyrhythmic, technically demanding material. Dark hi-hats (Meinl Byzance Dark, used by Brann Dailor of Mastodon) suit drummers whose material swings across the widest dynamic extremes.
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 Brann Dailor's professional Byzance Dark setup at a fraction of the price, giving developing prog metal drummers a genuine entry into that dark, complex hi-hat sound.