Best Splash Cymbals for Groove Metal in 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Discover the best splash cymbals for groove metal drumming. Expert recommendations on bright, trashy accent cymbals for syncopated riff-locking and breakdown punctuation, featuring the splash setups used by Art Cruz and Shannon Larkin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What splash cymbal does Art Cruz use?
Art Cruz of Lamb of God runs a 9" Zildjian FX Trash Splash within his broader Zildjian A Custom touring rig, giving his breakdown hits and syncopated accents a grittier, trashier edge than a standard clean splash.
What splash cymbal does Shannon Larkin use?
Shannon Larkin of Godsmack plays a 10" Sabian AAX Splash within his AAX and HHX touring setup, delivering a bright, cutting accent voice for Godsmack's groove-driven, radio-ready rhythms.
What's a trash splash, and is it different from a regular splash?
A trash splash uses rivets or an FX treatment (like Zildjian's FX Trash Splash) to add a dirtier, more aggressive decay compared to a standard clean splash. It suits groove metal's syncopated, riff-locked accents better than a smoothly ringing splash for drummers wanting a grittier edge.
What size splash cymbal is best for groove metal?
9"-10" is the most common range among groove metal drummers. Art Cruz runs a 9" splash for the sharpest possible stab, while Shannon Larkin's 10" splash retains a touch more body for breakdown punctuation.
What's the best budget splash cymbal for groove metal?
The Zildjian Planet Z Splash (€35-50) and Sabian SBR Splash (€30-45) both use budget B8 bronze but deliver a genuinely usable, bright accent voice for developing drummers, while the Meinl HCS Splash (€25-40) is the most affordable brass-alloy option for a first full beginner cymbal setup.