Best Snare Drums for Metalcore 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best snare drums for metalcore drumming: what Matt Greiner (Pearl Signature Steel), Eloy Casagrande (Tama Bell Brass), Matt Halpern (Pearl Reference Brass), and Alex Bent (Pearl Reference Brass) actually play. Cutting attack for breakdowns and syncopated riffing — ranked budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best metalcore drummers and what snares do they use?
Matt Greiner of August Burns Red plays a Pearl Matt Greiner Signature 14x6" Steel snare. Eloy Casagrande of Slipknot/Sepultura plays a Tama Bell Brass 14x5.5" snare. Matt Halpern of Periphery plays a Pearl Reference 14x6.5" Brass snare, and Alex Bent of Trivium plays a Pearl Reference 14x5" Brass snare.
What snare drum does Matt Greiner use?
Matt Greiner of August Burns Red plays his own Pearl Matt Greiner Signature 14x6" Steel snare — a bright, cutting shell that drives the band's Grammy-nominated, jazz-influenced technical metalcore.
Steel or brass — which is better for metalcore?
Both work. Steel (Matt Greiner) delivers maximum brightness and crack, ideal for breakdown-heavy material. Brass (Matt Halpern, Alex Bent) and bell brass (Eloy Casagrande) balance warmth with cutting articulation, suiting more melodic or technical metalcore. Choose steel for maximum breakdown punch, brass for a more rounded tone.
What snare depth is best for metalcore?
14x6"-6.5" (Matt Greiner, Matt Halpern) adds real crack and body for breakdown-heavy material, while 14x5"-5.5" (Alex Bent, Eloy Casagrande) favors quicker rebound for faster, more technical metalcore. Both depths are common across the genre's top drummers.
Do I need a pro-level snare to play metalcore?
No — a Pearl Export or Tama Stagestar steel snare, tuned moderately tight, will teach real breakdown and syncopation technique at a fraction of the price of the genre's professional signature and Reference models. Upgrade once your technique and budget allow.