Best Snare Drums for Black Metal 2026 | MetalForge Guide
Best black metal snare drums ranked: what Hellhammer and Frost (Sonor SQ2 Maple) and Inferno and Daray (Pearl Reference Steel/Brass) actually play. Maple vs steel vs brass — recommendations from budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What snare drum does Hellhammer use?
Hellhammer of Mayhem uses a Sonor SQ2 14x5.5" Maple snare, tuned for the dry, cutting crack heard throughout "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" and Mayhem's live catalog since the late 1980s.
What snare drum does Frost use?
Frost of Satyricon and 1349 uses a Sonor SQ2 14x6" Maple snare — a slightly deeper version of the same platform Hellhammer plays, giving his sound a touch more body while keeping the dry, cutting attack Nordic black metal demands.
Maple or steel — which is better for black metal snares?
Both work at the highest level. Maple (Sonor SQ2, used by Hellhammer and Frost) gives a warm, dry, foundational black metal crack. Steel (Pearl Reference, used by Inferno) gives a brighter, more cutting attack better suited to modern, technical black/death hybrid styles.
What snare drum does Inferno use?
Inferno of Behemoth uses a Pearl Reference 14x5" Steel snare, chosen for its bright, cutting projection through Behemoth's dense modern black/death arrangements at blast beat tempos exceeding 200 BPM.
Do I need an expensive snare to play black metal?
No — a Pearl Export snare (€120-180) mirrors the steel-shell approach behind Inferno's Reference setup at true entry-level pricing, while a Sonor Force 3007 approximates the SQ2's dry maple character. Both are genuine starting points before upgrading to a signature-tier snare.
What snare size is best for black metal?
14" diameter is universal across Hellhammer, Frost, Inferno, and Daray's setups. Depth varies from 5" (Inferno, for speed) to 6" (Frost, for body) — 14x5.5" is the versatile middle ground most black metal drummers should start with.