How to Sound Like Charlie Benante — Drum Gear & Setup Guide | MetalForge
Replicate Charlie Benante's Anthrax / S.O.D. / Pantera drum sound. Gear list, settings, and technique tips to get that signature tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Charlie Benante use?
Charlie Benante plays Tama Starclassic Maple drums as his primary kit, with an all-maple shell configuration. He has been a Tama endorser for decades. His setup uses dual 22" bass drums for independent kick control, and a two-up, two-down tom configuration that gives him an accessible spread for his polyrhythmic fill patterns.
What cymbals does Charlie Benante use?
Charlie Benante plays Paiste cymbals, primarily from the RUDE and 2002 series. His live setup typically includes 14" RUDE Hi-Hats, RUDE Crashes (18" and 19"), an 18" RUDE China, and a 20" RUDE Power Ride. The RUDE series provides the bright, projecting character needed for his open hi-hat thrash patterns to read clearly at 200 BPM over dense guitars.
What is Charlie Benante's signature drumming technique?
Benante's most recognizable technique is his open hi-hat thrash drive, where the hi-hat opens slightly on the eighth-note upbeats (the 'ands') while the snare plays on 2 and 4. This creates a churning, breathing quality distinct from the tight closed hi-hat patterns used by many thrash drummers. He pairs this with syncopated kick placement that follows guitar riff accent points rather than running preset patterns.
What pedals does Charlie Benante use?
Charlie Benante uses the Tama Speed Cobra double pedal, which replaced the vintage Tama HP35 Camco chain-drive pedals he ran from 1984 until Tama discontinued them in 2010. Benante's syncopated kick technique benefits from the precise, responsive feel the Speed Cobra provides.
What are the best Anthrax songs to learn Charlie Benante's style?
Start with 'Among the Living' and 'Caught in a Mosh' from Among the Living (1987) — both showcase his open hi-hat thrash drive and syncopated kick patterns in clear, learnable contexts. 'I Am The Law' demonstrates his kick-guitar lock technique, while 'Indians' shows his mid-tempo range with iconic cowbell and tom patterns. For more technical depth, 'Got the Time' and 'In My World' from Persistence of Time (1990) demonstrate his dynamic control and polyrhythmic fill approach.