# Best China Cymbals for Thrash Metal — MetalForge **Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/best-china-cymbals-for-thrash-metal ## Who This Guide Is For Thrash metal drummers looking for explosive, trashy accent cymbals for breakneck riffing and gang-vocal breakdowns — and what Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, Charlie Benante, and Paul Bostaph actually play. Covers size, alloy, and mounting orientation across all budgets. --- ## Why Thrash Metal Drummers Never Skip a China Thrash metal moves fast and hits hard, and a china cymbal is the tool that lets a drummer punctuate that speed without slowing down. A china explodes and decays fast — perfect for slamming down at the end of a palm-muted riff or kicking off a gang-vocal breakdown. Lars Ulrich has used a 20" Zildjian Z Custom China throughout Metallica's thrash-defining catalog. Dave Lombardo's 18" Paiste China provides the brutal punctuation on Slayer's "Angel of Death," while his successor Paul Bostaph carries a Sabian AAXtreme China across his own extensive Slayer tenure. Charlie Benante's Paiste China has anchored Anthrax's thrash attack since the band's earliest recordings, and Dirk Verbeuren's Zildjian K China rounds out the modern era with Megadeth. --- ## Recommended China Cymbals for Thrash Metal ### 1. Zildjian Z Custom China — Best Overall - **Size:** 20" - **Alloy:** B20 Bronze, Brilliant - **Price range:** €280–€340 - **Best for:** Cutting through a dense guitar wall **Who uses it:** - **Lars Ulrich** ([/drummer/lars-ulrich](https://metalforge.io/drummer/lars-ulrich)) — Metallica; explosive thrash punctuation since 1996's Load sessions Delivers an explosive, cutting trash with more low-end weight than standard lines. --- ### 2. Paiste RUDE & 2002 China — Most Classic - **Size:** 18" - **Alloy:** CuSn8 Bronze - **Price range:** €220–€280 - **Best for:** Raw, aggressive classic thrash tone **Who uses it:** - **Dave Lombardo** ([/drummer/dave-lombardo](https://metalforge.io/drummer/dave-lombardo)) — Slayer; iconic punctuation on "Angel of Death" - **Charlie Benante** ([/drummer/charlie-benante](https://metalforge.io/drummer/charlie-benante)) — Anthrax; thrash attack since the band's earliest recordings A raw, aggressive trash that's carried thrash metal since the genre's earliest days. --- ### 3. Sabian AAXtreme China — Best All-Rounder - **Size:** 18" - **Alloy:** B20 Bronze, Brilliant - **Price range:** €190–€240 - **Best for:** Fast, rapid riffing **Who uses it:** - **Paul Bostaph** ([/drummer/paul-bostaph](https://metalforge.io/drummer/paul-bostaph)) — Slayer; fast, cutting accent across an extensive Slayer tenure Balances bright cut with real trash, keeping pace with rapid, palm-muted riffing. --- ### 4. Zildjian K China — Best for Modern Thrash - **Size:** 18" - **Alloy:** B20 Bronze, Dark - **Price range:** €210–€260 - **Best for:** Sharp definition at breakneck tempo **Who uses it:** - **Dirk Verbeuren** ([/drummer/dirk-verbeuren](https://metalforge.io/drummer/dirk-verbeuren)) — Megadeth; sharp, controlled punctuation for modern thrash Trades a little brightness for a darker, more controlled trash that stays defined at the genre's fastest tempos. --- ## 18" vs 20" China for Thrash Metal **18" China (Dave Lombardo, Charlie Benante, Paul Bostaph, Dirk Verbeuren):** - Faster response for rapid-fire accents - Easier to fit into a crowded cymbal setup **20" China (Lars Ulrich):** - More low-end weight and volume for heavier breakdowns - Longer decay for sustained wash effects **Verdict:** Most thrash metal drummers land on 18" as their primary china because it keeps pace with the genre's fast, palm-muted riffing without cluttering the pattern. --- ## FAQ **What china cymbal does Lars Ulrich use?** Lars Ulrich uses a 20" Zildjian Z Custom China, part of his Zildjian A Custom setup that has defined Metallica's cymbal sound since the 1996 Load sessions. **What china cymbal size is best for thrash metal?** 18" is the most common choice among thrash metal drummers — used by Dave Lombardo, Charlie Benante, Paul Bostaph, and Dirk Verbeuren. Lars Ulrich's 20" is the notable exception, favored for maximum projection. **Do thrash metal drummers use china cymbals live?** Yes — a china cymbal is a near-universal part of the thrash metal cymbal setup. Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, Charlie Benante, Paul Bostaph, and Dirk Verbeuren all run a china as a dedicated accent voice. **China vs. crash for thrash metal accents?** A crash rings out cleanly with a longer decay. A china produces a faster, dirtier, more explosive attack, better suited to punctuating palm-muted riffs, breakdowns, and tempo transitions. **What's the best budget china cymbal for thrash metal?** The Zildjian ZBT China (€70–90) delivers a genuinely trashy B8 bronze sound at a true beginner price. The Sabian XSR Fast China (€100–130) brings B20 bronze to a mid-range price. --- ## Related Guides - [Best Cymbals for Thrash Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-thrash-metal) - [Best Crash Cymbals for Thrash Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-crash-cymbals-for-thrash-metal) - [Best China Cymbals for Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-china-cymbals-for-metal)