# Best Drumsticks for Metalcore — MetalForge **Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drumsticks-for-metalcore ## Who This Guide Is For Metalcore drummers who need strong rebound for breakdown-heavy dynamics — and what Matt Greiner (Vic Firth Signature), Ben Koller (Vic Firth 5B), Alex Bent (Vic Firth 5B), and Nick Augusto (Vic Firth 5B) actually play. Covers rebound, breakdown impact, and stick diameter across all budgets. --- ## Why Metalcore Sticks Need Rebound as Much as Power Metalcore's drumming vocabulary swings between blast beats and fast double bass in the verses, then a sudden drop into a slow, weighty breakdown where every hit needs maximum authority. That makes rebound as important as raw power. Matt Greiner of August Burns Red plays his own Vic Firth signature stick — a 0.585" diameter model with an elongated taper and teardrop tip, dry-tumbled with no added finish for a smooth, organic grip. Ben Koller of Converge favors the heavier end of Vic Firth's American Classic 5B — a preference established during his DIY hardcore years that carried through unchanged into the "Jane Doe" era. Alex Bent and Nick Augusto, both known for technical precision, likewise favor the Vic Firth American Classic 5B. --- ## Recommended Drumsticks for Metalcore ### 1. Vic Firth Matt Greiner Signature — Best Overall - **Material:** American Hickory - **Diameter:** 0.585" | **Length:** 16.44" | **Tip:** Teardrop (wood) - **Price range:** €14–19 (pair) - **Best for:** Technically dense, compositionally ambitious metalcore **Who uses it:** - **Matt Greiner** ([/drummer/matt-greiner](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-greiner)) — Vic Firth signature; technical speed and breakdown power for August Burns Red Uses an elongated taper and teardrop tip to keep rebound fast and controlled without sacrificing breakdown authority. Dry-tumbled, unfinished surface for a smooth, organic grip during high-intensity performances. --- ### 2. Vic Firth American Classic 5B — Best for Maximum Impact - **Material:** American Hickory - **Diameter:** 0.595" | **Length:** 16" | **Tip:** Oval (wood) - **Price range:** €10–15 (pair) - **Best for:** Maximum breakdown impact **Who uses it:** - **Ben Koller** ([/drummer/ben-koller](https://metalforge.io/drummer/ben-koller)) — Vic Firth American Classic 5B; heavier-stick preference for maximum impact Ben Koller has favored a heavier 5B-class stick since his earliest DIY hardcore years — a preference that carried through unchanged into "Jane Doe" and every acclaimed Converge release since. --- ### 3. Vic Firth American Classic 5B — Best for Technical Precision - **Material:** American Hickory - **Diameter:** 0.595" | **Length:** 16" | **Tip:** Oval (wood) - **Price range:** €10–15 (pair) - **Best for:** Precise, controlled technical metalcore **Who uses it:** - **Alex Bent** ([/drummer/alex-bent](https://metalforge.io/drummer/alex-bent)) — Vic Firth American Classic 5B; precise, controlled technique - **Nick Augusto** ([/drummer/nick-augusto](https://metalforge.io/drummer/nick-augusto)) — Vic Firth American Classic 5B; dependable power and control Both drummers' shared choice shows that metalcore's technical demands don't necessarily require boutique gear — a well-chosen standard size can carry a drummer through the most demanding professional contexts. --- ### 4. Vic Firth American Classic 5A — Best Technical Complement - **Material:** American Hickory - **Diameter:** 0.565" | **Length:** 16" | **Tip:** Oval (wood) - **Price range:** €8–12 (pair) - **Best for:** Melodic, technical-leaning metalcore A legitimate complement to a heavier 5B — many metalcore drummers keep both in their stick bag, reaching for the 5A on technical material and the 5B when the breakdown hits. --- ### 5. Promark Classic Forward 5B — Best Budget Breakdown Pick - **Material:** American Hickory - **Diameter:** 0.595" | **Length:** 16" | **Tip:** Oval (wood) - **Price range:** €9–13 (pair) - **Best for:** Extra front-end attack authority on a budget A front-balanced alternative to the Vic Firth 5B for drummers who want extra attack authority on breakdown hits without committing to a signature model. --- ## Signature vs Standard Sticks for Metalcore **Signature Models (Vic Firth Matt Greiner):** Engineered around one drummer's specific technical and compositional demands, with an elongated taper and teardrop tip built for rebound. Preferred by Matt Greiner. **Standard Sizes (Vic Firth American Classic 5A/5B):** Broadly proven, widely available, and more affordable. Preferred by Ben Koller, Alex Bent, and Nick Augusto. **Verdict:** Start with a standard Vic Firth 5A or 5B depending on whether your material leans technical or breakdown-heavy. If you find yourself wanting more rebound across metalcore's full dynamic range, Matt Greiner's signature model is worth the upgrade. --- ## FAQ **What drumsticks does Matt Greiner use?** Matt Greiner of August Burns Red plays his own Vic Firth signature stick — a 0.585" diameter model with an elongated taper, teardrop tip, and dry-tumbled, unfinished surface, built for the balance of technical speed and breakdown power ABR's metalcore requires. **What drumsticks does Ben Koller use?** Ben Koller of Converge favors a heavier Vic Firth American Classic 5B — a preference established during his earliest DIY hardcore years that carried through unchanged into "Jane Doe" and every acclaimed Converge release since. **What's the best drumstick for metalcore breakdowns?** 5B is the metalcore breakdown standard — Ben Koller, Alex Bent, and Nick Augusto all favor it for the mass it provides on slow, weighted breakdown hits. Matt Greiner's signature model achieves similar authority through an elongated taper rather than raw diameter alone. **Do metalcore drummers need different sticks for verses and breakdowns?** Many do. A lighter stick like the Vic Firth 5A improves speed for fast, syncopated verse patterns, while a heavier 5B or Matt Greiner's rebound-tuned signature model handles breakdown authority better. **What drumsticks do Alex Bent and Nick Augusto use?** Both play the standard Vic Firth American Classic 5B, valued for its dependable balance of power and control across technically demanding metalcore material. --- ## Related Guides - [Best Crash Cymbals for Metalcore](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-crash-cymbals-for-metalcore) - [Best Drum Kits for Metalcore](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-metalcore) - [Best Cymbals for Metalcore](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-metalcore)