Best Ride Cymbals for Thrash Metal in 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Discover the best ride cymbals for thrash metal drumming. Expert recommendations on loud, explosive rides that cut through fast tremolo riffing, featuring the exact rides used by Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich, and Charlie Benante.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ride cymbal does Dave Lombardo use?
Dave Lombardo of Slayer rides a 22" Paiste Reign Power Ride, using its added weight and explosive wash for the driving, aggressive pulse behind Slayer's thrash-defining catalog.
What ride cymbal does Lars Ulrich use?
Lars Ulrich of Metallica has built his cymbal voice around Zildjian A Custom cymbals for decades, favoring their bright, cutting projection for the driving eighth-note riding that defines Metallica's foundational thrash sound.
What ride cymbal does Charlie Benante use?
Charlie Benante of Anthrax rides Paiste RUDE and 2002 series cymbals, prized for their raw, powerful projection that keeps pace with Anthrax's famously tight, aggressive rhythm section.
Why do thrash metal drummers favor loud, bright ride cymbals?
Thrash's fast, aggressive tremolo-picked riffing at breakneck tempos leaves no room for subtlety. A ride needs to be loud and bright enough — like Dave Lombardo's Paiste Reign Power Ride or Lars Ulrich's Zildjian A Custom — to stay audible over a wall of downtuned, rapidly picked guitars.
What size ride cymbal is best for thrash metal?
21"-22" is the thrash standard. Dave Lombardo's 22" Reign Power Ride leans into maximum low-end weight and wash, while Lars Ulrich's 21" A Custom responds slightly faster while staying bright and cutting.