# Best Drum Kits for Metalcore — MetalForge **Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-metalcore ## Who This Guide Is For Metalcore drummers who want to know which drum kits handle both crushing breakdowns and fast technical passages — and what Nick Augusto, Art Cruz, and Travis Orbin actually use. Covers Pearl Reference Pure, SJC Custom Drums, Ludwig Classic Oak, and budget alternatives. --- ## What Drum Kit Should I Use for Metalcore? Metalcore drum kits have to do two contradictory jobs well: deliver the crushing, half-time weight of a breakdown, then snap back into technical, blast-beat-adjacent passages seconds later. That range demands a kit that's punchy at low volume and articulate at high tempo. Nick Augusto powered Trivium's aggressive metalcore on a Pearl Reference Pure kit throughout "In Waves" and "Vengeance Falls." Art Cruz drives Lamb of God's modern groove-metalcore hybrid attack on a Ludwig Classic Oak setup. Travis Orbin recorded Periphery's genre-defining self-titled debut on SJC Custom Drums, building the trigger-augmented, polyrhythmic template that shaped djent-adjacent metalcore. --- ## Recommended Drum Kits for Metalcore ### 1. Pearl Reference Pure — Best Overall - **Shell:** 6-ply Maple - **Price range:** €2500–€4500 (shell pack) - **Best for:** Thrash-influenced, technically demanding metalcore **Who uses it:** - **Nick Augusto** ([/drummer/nick-augusto](https://metalforge.io/drummer/nick-augusto)) — Trivium; thin maple shells for speed and clarity through "In Waves" and "Vengeance Falls" The thin 6-ply maple shells deliver exceptional sensitivity, articulating clearly during fast, technical passages. --- ### 2. SJC Custom Drums (M5 Maple) — Best for Technical/Djent-Adjacent Metalcore - **Shell:** 5-ply North American Maple - **Price range:** €2200–€4000 (shell pack, custom-built) - **Best for:** Polyrhythmic, trigger-augmented technical metalcore **Who uses it:** - **Travis Orbin** ([/drummer/travis-orbin](https://metalforge.io/drummer/travis-orbin)) — Periphery / Darkest Hour; genre-defining technical metalcore precision on Periphery's self-titled debut SJC's M5 shell offers enhanced resonance and wide tonal range, with built-in flexibility for trigger and sampling pad integration. --- ### 3. Ludwig Classic Oak — Best Premium - **Shell:** Maple/Oak Hybrid - **Price range:** €2800–€4500 (shell pack) - **Best for:** Breakdown-heavy, groove-influenced metalcore **Who uses it:** - **Art Cruz** ([/drummer/art-cruz](https://metalforge.io/drummer/art-cruz)) — Lamb of God; maple/oak hybrid for extra breakdown weight and projection Paired with Cruz's signature Ludwig Black Beauty snare for a sharp, cutting crack in dense, downtuned mixes. --- ### 4. Pearl Export — Best Budget - **Shell:** Poplar/Birch Hybrid - **Price range:** €600–€900 (shell pack) - **Best for:** Developing metalcore drummers on a budget Durable enough for breakdowns, responsive enough for early technical development. --- ### 5. Tama Imperialstar — Best Complete Budget Kit - **Shell:** Poplar - **Price range:** €700–€1000 (complete kit) - **Best for:** First-time metalcore drummers wanting hardware included A complete kit with a clear upgrade path within the Tama family. --- ## Thin Maple vs Maple/Oak Hybrid for Metalcore **Thin Maple (Pearl Reference Pure):** Exceptional sensitivity and articulation at speed — best for technical, djent-influenced passages. **Maple/Oak Hybrid (Ludwig Classic Oak):** Extra low-end weight and projection for breakdowns; more durable under heavy playing. **Custom Maple (SJC M5):** Fully configurable resonance with built-in flexibility for electronic trigger integration. **Verdict:** Start with thin maple if your band leans technical or djent-influenced. Choose a maple/oak hybrid if breakdown weight matters more than raw technical sensitivity. --- ## FAQ **What drum kit should I use for metalcore?** Pearl Reference Pure is a strong all-around choice — Nick Augusto used it to power Trivium's thrash-influenced metalcore, and its thin maple shells handle both breakdown weight and fast technical passages. For polyrhythmic, djent-adjacent metalcore, Travis Orbin's custom SJC Drums setup is the genre-defining choice. **What drum kit does Art Cruz use?** Art Cruz plays a Ludwig Classic Oak kit paired with his signature 14x6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty snare, delivering the low-end weight needed for Lamb of God's modern groove-metalcore hybrid sound. **What drum kit does Travis Orbin use?** Travis Orbin built Periphery's genre-defining self-titled debut (2010) on SJC Custom Drums using the brand's M5 maple shell construction, integrating a Roland SPD-SX sampling pad for electronic textures. **Do metalcore drummers need thin or thick shells?** It depends on subgenre. Thin shells (Pearl Reference Pure) offer superior sensitivity for technical passages. Thicker hybrid shells (Ludwig Classic Oak) add low-end weight better suited to breakdown-heavy metalcore. **Do I need triggers for metalcore drumming?** Not required, but common at the professional level — Travis Orbin integrates a Roland SPD-SX directly into his acoustic SJC kit for consistent studio tone. **What size drum kit is best for metalcore?** Standard setup: 22"–24" kick, 10"–13" rack toms, 16"–18" floor toms, and a 14x6.5" or deeper snare for cutting crack. --- ## Related Guides - [Best Drum Kits for Djent](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-djent) - [Best Cymbals for Progressive Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-progressive-metal) - [Best Drum Kits for Groove Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-groove-metal)