# What's In Charlie Benante's Anthrax Kit: The Big Four's Technical Pioneer

> Complete breakdown of Charlie Benante's drum setup — the Big Four thrash pioneer who invented double bass drumming and popularized blast beats. Tama Starclassic, Paiste cymbals, and the techniques that defined thrash metal.

**Type:** Kit Breakdown
**Drummer(s):** [Charlie Benante](/llms/drummers/charlie-benante.md)
**Band / Album:** Anthrax
**Genre:** Thrash Metal / Crossover

## Overview

When musicians discuss the architects of thrash metal drumming, four names inevitably surface: Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, Nick Menza, and Charlie Benante. But of these Big Four drummers, Benante stands alone as the technical innovator — credited with pioneering sustained double bass drumming in thrash metal and popularizing the blast beat that would birth extreme metal.

Born November 27, 1962, in The Bronx, New York, Charles Lee Benante didn't just join Anthrax in 1983 — he became its creative engine. Beyond his revolutionary drumming, he's the band's primary composer and a gifted visual artist who has designed many of Anthrax's most iconic album covers and merchandise.

What makes Benante unique among metal drummers is his synthesis of influences. While many thrash drummers channeled punk aggression or NWOBHM power, Benante drew equally from Neil Peart's progressive complexity, John Bonham's heavyweight groove, and jazz drummers' technical vocabulary. This eclectic foundation allowed him to innovate where others imitated.

The blast beats on "Spreading the Disease" (1985)? Benante was there first. The sustained double bass patterns that defined thrash metal's fury? Benante pioneered them. The crossover thrash that fused metal and hardcore? Benante literally invented it with S.O.D.'s "Speak English or Die."

In 2022, Benante's legacy expanded further when he was chosen to fill the irreplaceable shoes of his late close friend Vinnie Paul for Pantera's reunion tour. The man who defined Anthrax's sound now honors the man who defined Pantera's — a fitting tribute between two thrash legends.

This article breaks down every piece of gear behind four decades of relentless innovation.

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Tama Tama Starclassic Maple (Custom Finishes (various) finish)
- **Snare:** Tama Tama Charlie Benante Signature Snare, 14" x 6.5"
- **Cymbals:** Paiste — Paiste 2002 / Signature / RUDE mix
- **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Speed Cobra Double Pedal; Tama Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand; Tama 1st Chair; Vic Firth Charlie Benante Signature; Various Roland triggers
- **Heads:** Evans Power Center (batter), Evans Snare Side 300 (resonant)
- **Snare tuning:** Medium-high for maximum cut and projection

### Charlie's Tama Starclassic Command Center

Charlie Benante's Tama Starclassic Maple kit represents decades of refinement. After trying various brands early in his career, Benante settled on Tama in the mid-1980s and has remained loyal ever since — a testament to the brand's quality and his satisfaction with their sound.

The dual 22" x 18" bass drums are essential to Benante's pioneering double bass style. These aren't just for show — the depth and projection of the 18" shells provide the fundamental power that thrash metal demands. Each drum contributes to the relentless double kick patterns he helped invent.

The tom configuration is extensive by thrash standards: three rack toms (10", 12", 13") plus two floor toms (14" and 16"). This setup reflects Benante's compositional mindset — as Anthrax's primary songwriter, he thinks in terms of arrangement, and his tom choices give him melodic options that simpler setups can't provide.

Tama's Starclassic Maple shells deliver the bright, punchy attack that cuts through Anthrax's wall of guitars. The all-maple construction provides warmth while the Star-Cast mounting system preserves shell resonance — crucial for a drummer who hits as hard as Benante.

The Starclassic line represents Tama's professional tier, and Benante has been instrumental in developing features that benefit heavy music players. His decades-long relationship with Tama has influenced everything from shell construction to hardware design.

### The Charlie Benante Signature Crack

The Tama Charlie Benante Signature snare delivers the cutting crack that has defined Anthrax's sound for decades. At 14" x 6.5", it's built for power and projection — essential for cutting through thrash metal's dense guitar wall.

The steel shell provides the bright, aggressive attack that Benante's playing demands. Unlike warmer-sounding brass or maple snares, steel delivers a sharp crack with extended sustain that can be controlled through tuning. This metallic voice has become synonymous with Anthrax's drum sound.

Die-cast hoops add stability and focus to the rimshots Benante frequently employs. They also contribute to the "ping" quality of cross-stick patterns and provide durability for his aggressive playing style. The mass of the die-cast hoops helps control overtones while enhancing projection.

Benante typically tunes his snare medium-high for maximum cut. This tuning gives him the attack needed for fast single strokes while maintaining enough body for accents and ghost notes. The steel shell responds consistently across the tuning range, from crisp crack to fat backbeat.

This signature snare represents decades of experimentation distilled into one drum. Every aspect — shell material, dimensions, hoops, strainer — reflects Benante's preferences refined through thousands of shows and recording sessions.

### The Paiste Arsenal

Charlie Benante's cymbal setup combines three Paiste lines: the classic 2002 series, the modern Signature series, and the heavy-duty RUDE series. This mix provides tonal variety while ensuring durability under his powerful playing.

The 14" 2002 Sound Edge hi-hats are a thrash metal standard. Their wavy bottom cymbal creates a crisp "chick" sound and quick response — essential for the fast patterns Benante pioneered. These hi-hats have defined the Anthrax sound since "Spreading the Disease."

Multiple crash cymbals in different sizes give Benante dynamic options. The 16" Signature Fast Crash responds instantly for rapid-fire accents, while the 18" 2002 Medium Crash provides fuller sustain for bigger moments. The RUDE 19" Crash/Ride adds versatility and durability for the heaviest hitting.

The 22" 2002 Heavy Ride is substantial enough to match Benante's aggressive style. He uses it for riding, crashing, and particularly for bell accents that cut through Anthrax's guitar wall. The larger diameter and heavier weight prevent it from washing out under heavy attack.

The 2002 18" China provides the trashy, explosive accents that punctuate thrash metal's heaviest moments. Benante uses China cymbals strategically rather than constantly — when they hit, they make a statement.

## Key Facts

- Credited with pioneering double bass drumming in thrash metal
- Popularized the blast beat technique in metal
- Anthrax's primary composer beyond drumming duties
- Visual artist behind many Anthrax album covers and designs
- Co-founded S.O.D., inventing crossover thrash (1985)
- Tama Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth endorsee
- Now touring as Pantera's drummer (2022-present)
- Big Four of Thrash: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax
- Dual bass drums for the double kick patterns he pioneered
- Extensive tom configuration for compositional variety
- All-maple shells for bright, punchy attack
- Star-Cast mounting preserves shell resonance
- Long-term Tama endorsee since mid-1980s
- Custom finishes vary by tour (often Anthrax-themed)
- Estimated kit value: $5,000-7,000 (Starclassic Maple configuration)
- Estimated snare value: $400-500 (Signature snare)

**Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-charlie-benantes-kit

**More LLM resources:** [Site index](/llms.txt) · [Full database](/llms-full.txt) · [Master FAQ](/llms/faq.md) · [Drummer index](/llms/index.md)

*Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*