# Best Hi-Hats for Metal Drumming — MetalForge **Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/best-hi-hats-for-metal ## Who This Guide Is For Metal drummers at any level who want to know which hi-hats actually work for heavy music — and why. Whether you're upgrading a beginner setup or choosing between pro-level models, this guide covers the exact hi-hats used by Lars Ulrich, Joey Jordison, Mike Mangini, and Mikkey Dee, with clear explanations of what to buy and why. --- ## Why Hi-Hats Define Your Metal Groove Hi-hats are the rhythmic backbone of metal drumming — the pulse that drives riffs, locks in blast beats, and defines the feel of every groove. Most drummers spend their cymbal budget on crashes and rides while treating hi-hats as an afterthought. That's a mistake. In metal, hi-hats face specific demands: crisp, cutting attack that punches through dense guitar walls; tight, controllable chick that defines complex rhythmic patterns; and enough projection for live environments where stage volume is extreme. The wrong hi-hats fight you in every session. The right ones make every groove feel locked and inevitable. Lars Ulrich's driving hi-hat work on Metallica's "Battery" and "One" isn't incidental — the precise, cutting Zildjian A Custom character is core to how those songs feel. Joey Jordison's furious 16th-note patterns with Slipknot relied on hi-hats with fast response and cutting top-end that could survive both explosive blast passages and dynamic atmospheric moments. --- ## Recommended Hi-Hats for Metal ### 1. Zildjian A Custom Medium Hi-Hats — Best Overall - **Material:** B20 bronze, brilliant finish - **Diameter:** 14" - **Price range:** €280–€380 per pair - **Best for:** All metal styles — thrash, death, black, modern, progressive The Zildjian A Custom Medium Hi-Hats are the most popular hi-hats on MetalForge's entire pro roster. The A Custom series uses brilliant finish B20 bronze with a proprietary lathing pattern that emphasizes attack and clarity without sacrificing warmth. Lars Ulrich ([/drummer/lars-ulrich](https://metalforge.io/drummer/lars-ulrich)) of Metallica has used Zildjian A Custom cymbals throughout the band's career — the cutting, articulate top end of the A Custom cuts through Marshall stacks at stadium volumes. Matt Greiner ([/drummer/matt-greiner](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-greiner)) of August Burns Red relies on Zildjian hi-hats for complex progressive metalcore patterns. Joey Jordison ([/drummer/joey-jordison](https://metalforge.io/drummer/joey-jordison)) used Zildjian hi-hats to drive Slipknot's furious rhythmic attack across all dynamic contexts. The medium weight provides excellent projection without the stiffness of heavy models, keeping stick response natural even during demanding double-time passages. If you buy nothing else from this guide, the A Custom Medium Hi-Hats are the answer. --- ### 2. Meinl Byzance Traditional Medium Hi-Hats — Best for Progressive Metal - **Material:** B20 bronze, traditional finish - **Diameter:** 14" - **Price range:** €320–€420 per pair - **Best for:** Progressive metal, technical death metal, atmospheric black metal The Meinl Byzance Traditional Hi-Hats bring a darker, more complex character to metal hi-hat work. The traditional finish and hand-hammering process create warm, nuanced sound with complex overtones — perfect for progressive metal where the hi-hat needs to do more than just cut. Mike Mangini ([/drummer/mike-mangini](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mike-mangini)) of Dream Theater is a long-time Meinl endorser whose complex polyrhythmic hi-hat patterns demand a cymbal that responds precisely to subtle dynamics and intricate technique. The Byzance Traditional's warm character works beautifully in progressive contexts where the hi-hat is as melodic as it is rhythmic. Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me uses Meinl cymbals for their darker, more complex character — the harmonic sophistication of progressive metal benefits from hi-hats that have genuine musical depth beyond just marking time. --- ### 3. Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hats — Best for Classic/Aggressive Metal - **Material:** CuSn8 bronze - **Diameter:** 14" - **Price range:** €300–€400 per pair - **Best for:** Traditional heavy metal, thrash metal, extreme metal live performance The Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hats are legendary in metal — decades of heritage in thrash, heavy metal, and extreme music. The Sound Edge bottom cymbal's wavy profile creates a uniquely tight, fast chick with quick air release, giving every hi-hat closure a sharp, precise accent. Mikkey Dee ([/drummer/mikkey-dee](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mikkey-dee)) of Motörhead used Paiste 2002 cymbals to drive the relentless, powerful grooves that defined late-era Motörhead. The 2002's CuSn8 bronze formula produces a bright, powerful, and immediate sound that projects exceptionally at extreme stage volumes — exactly what Motörhead's ear-splitting performances demanded. For drummers who want that classic, aggressive metal hi-hat character with maximum projection in live settings, the 2002 Sound Edge delivers an iconic character that's been part of metal history since the 1980s. --- ### 4. Sabian AAX Medium Hi-Hats — Best Value Pro Option - **Material:** B20 bronze, brilliant finish - **Diameter:** 14" - **Price range:** €250–€340 per pair - **Best for:** Modern metal, metalcore, groove metal The Sabian AAX Medium Hi-Hats deliver a bright, cutting, modern metal sound at a price below top-tier Zildjian and Meinl options. AAX cymbals use B20 bronze with a brilliant finish that emphasizes projection and clarity — an excellent choice for metal drummers who need cutting hi-hats without premium pricing. Igor Cavalera ([/drummer/igor-cavalera](https://metalforge.io/drummer/igor-cavalera)) of Sepultura has used Sabian AAX cymbals, contributing to the aggressive, powerful character that defined Sepultura's tribal-influenced heavy metal sound. For drummers playing metalcore, modern thrash, or groove metal who want pro-level hi-hats at a more accessible investment, the AAX Medium Hi-Hats offer genuine professional performance. --- ### 5. Zildjian K Hi-Hats — Best for Dark/Progressive Styles - **Material:** B20 bronze, traditional finish - **Diameter:** 14" - **Price range:** €300–€400 per pair - **Best for:** Progressive metal, atmospheric black metal, doom The Zildjian K Hi-Hats are darker and warmer than the A Custom — traditional finish B20 bronze with hand-hammered irregular surface that creates complex, warm overtones. Where the A Custom cuts brightly, the K series breathes and speaks with depth and character. Joey Jordison ([/drummer/joey-jordison](https://metalforge.io/drummer/joey-jordison)) used Zildjian cymbals across Slipknot's dynamic range. Brann Dailor ([/drummer/brann-dailor](https://metalforge.io/drummer/brann-dailor)) of Mastodon uses Zildjian K Dark series cymbals for progressive sludge metal complexity — the darker character suits music where the drums do more than just mark time. For metal styles where darkness and complexity are assets, the K Hi-Hats are the premier choice. --- ## Key Drummers Who Use These Hi-Hats - **Lars Ulrich** ([/drummer/lars-ulrich](https://metalforge.io/drummer/lars-ulrich)) — Zildjian A Custom; the definitive metal hi-hat standard across Metallica's career - **Joey Jordison** ([/drummer/joey-jordison](https://metalforge.io/drummer/joey-jordison)) — Zildjian; explosive nu/extreme metal hi-hat attack with Slipknot - **Mike Mangini** ([/drummer/mike-mangini](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mike-mangini)) — Meinl Byzance; progressive metal hi-hat complexity and precision with Dream Theater - **Matt Greiner** ([/drummer/matt-greiner](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-greiner)) — Zildjian; progressive metalcore hi-hat precision with August Burns Red - **Mikkey Dee** ([/drummer/mikkey-dee](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mikkey-dee)) — Paiste 2002; defining heavy metal power and projection with Motörhead --- ## Hi-Hat Size Guide for Metal **13" hi-hats:** Tight, fast, precise — best for technical and extreme metal where quick response and fast decay are essential. **14" hi-hats (standard):** The best balance of projection, response, and versatility. The standard for all metal styles. **15" hi-hats:** Maximum volume and low-end body — occasionally used in doom metal and traditional heavy metal for a bigger, heavier sound. For most metal drummers: 14" is the answer. --- ## Weight Guide for Metal Hi-Hats **Light:** Sensitive, washy, complex — jazz territory. Generally not ideal for metal where projection matters. **Medium:** The sweet spot for most metal. Enough projection to cut through without sacrificing stick response. **Medium-Heavy:** More projection, tighter chick — better for loud live stages. Some loss of sensitivity. **Heavy:** Maximum projection, stiffest feel. Used in doom and traditional metal for maximum authority. For most metal: medium or medium-heavy. Heavy only for extreme stage volume requirements. --- ## Sound Edge vs Flat Bottom Hi-Hats **Flat bottom:** Traditional design — a full, round chick with standard air release. The default for most hi-hats. **Sound Edge bottom:** Wavy/crimped edge that creates faster air release and a tighter, more distinctive chick. Paiste pioneered this design on the 2002 series. Very popular in thrash and heavy metal for its crisp, articulate closure sound. If you want a very defined, fast hi-hat chick — particularly for thrash metal patterns — Sound Edge bottom cymbals are worth trying. --- ## FAQ **What hi-hats do metal drummers use?** Most professional metal drummers use medium-heavy 14" hi-hats from Zildjian, Meinl, or Paiste. Lars Ulrich uses Zildjian A Custom. Mike Mangini uses Meinl Byzance. Mikkey Dee used Paiste 2002 Sound Edge. The common thread: cymbals that cut through dense guitar mixes with focused, articulate attack. **What size hi-hats are best for metal?** 14" hi-hats are the standard for metal — the best balance of projection, response, and versatility. 13" are tighter and faster, used in technical and extreme metal. 15" provide maximum volume for doom and traditional heavy metal. **Are heavier hi-hats better for metal?** Generally yes. Heavier hi-hats project more volume and produce a tighter chick. Medium-heavy is the sweet spot — heavy enough to project but not so stiff that stick response suffers. **What is a Sound Edge hi-hat?** A Sound Edge hi-hat has a wavy, crimped bottom cymbal edge rather than flat. When the hi-hats close, this creates faster air release and a distinctive, tighter chick sound. Paiste pioneered Sound Edge on the 2002 series, and it became popular in metal for its tight, fast, articulate chick. **Zildjian vs Meinl hi-hats for metal — which is better?** Zildjian A Custom is brighter, more cutting, and more immediately aggressive — better for most metal styles. Meinl Byzance is darker, warmer, and more complex — better for progressive and technical metal. Most metal drummers default to Zildjian for live work. --- ## Related Guides - [Best Cymbals for Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-metal) - [Best Cymbals for Death Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-death-metal) - [Best Cymbals for Progressive Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-progressive-metal)