Best Ride Cymbals for Black Metal in 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Discover the best ride cymbals for black metal drumming. Expert recommendations on dark, trashy, wash-heavy rides for tremolo-picked riffing and blast beats, featuring the exact rides used by Hellhammer, Inferno, Daray, and Frost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ride cymbal does Hellhammer use?
Hellhammer of Mayhem rides a 20" Paiste RUDE Ride, part of the raw, unlathed Paiste RUDE Series that built black metal's foundational cymbal sound on "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas."
What ride cymbal do black metal drummers use?
Hellhammer (Mayhem), Inferno (Behemoth), and Daray (Dimmu Borgir/Vader) all ride Paiste RUDE-family cymbals — a 20" RUDE Ride, 24" Mega Power Ride, and 22" RUDE Power Ride respectively. Frost (Satyricon/1349) takes a different approach with a 22" Zildjian K Custom Dark Ride.
What size ride cymbal is best for black metal?
20"-24" is the black metal range, running larger than most metal subgenres. Inferno's 24" Mega Power Ride is sized for maximum wash under dense orchestration, while 22" (Daray, Frost) is the more common middle ground.
Do I need a Paiste RUDE ride for black metal?
Not necessarily. Paiste RUDE defines the genre's traditional, raw sound — used by Hellhammer, Inferno, and Daray — but Frost's Zildjian K Custom Dark Ride proves a darker, more articulate alternative works just as well for technical, precision-focused black metal.
What's the best budget ride cymbal for black metal?
The Zildjian ZBT Ride (€70-90) delivers a genuinely bright, cutting attack at a true beginner price. For a step up, the Sabian XSR Monarch Ride (€130-160) brings B20 bronze to a mid-range price.