# Best Hi-Hats for Metalcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide > What hi-hats are used in metalcore? Discover what Matt Halpern, Matt Greiner, Alex Bent, and Jay Weinberg actually play — Meinl Byzance Extra Dry, Byzance Brilliant, and Zildjian A/K Custom — from budget to pro, built for breakdown control. **Guide URL:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/best-hi-hats-for-metalcore](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-hi-hats-for-metalcore) **Last Updated:** 2026-07-07 --- ## What Hi-Hats Are Used in Metalcore? Hi-hats do more rhythmic work in metalcore than almost any other cymbal in the kit. Palm-muted breakdown riffing, tightly syncopated chugs, and constant tempo and dynamic shifts all live or die on whether the hi-hat stays controlled and articulate — a washy, uncontrolled hi-hat turns a precise breakdown into mud, while a dry, well-chosen pair locks the whole riff into place. Matt Halpern of Periphery builds his setup around 15" Dark Hi-Hats from the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry line, giving Periphery's polyrhythmic djent-metalcore hybrid a controlled, low-sustain foundation across "Periphery II," "Juggernaut," and "Hail Stan." Matt Greiner of August Burns Red runs a near-identical 15" Dual Hi-Hats setup from the same Byzance Extra Dry series, driving August Burns Red's Grammy-nominated technical precision. Alex Bent, who carried his technical death metal background from Brain Drill and Arkaik into Trivium, plays 14" Medium Hi-Hats from the brighter Meinl Byzance Brilliant Series, suited to Trivium's more melodic, riff-driven modern metal sound. Jay Weinberg of Slipknot takes yet another path, running 14" A New Beat Hi-Hats from Zildjian's A Custom line for a brighter, more explosive voice matched to Slipknot's aggressive nu-metal/metalcore hybrid. This guide breaks down exactly what makes a great metalcore hi-hat — diameter, voicing, and control — and which specific models these four influential drummers play, from budget starter pairs to the professional setups heard on the genre's most technically respected records. **Key Points:** - Meinl Byzance Extra Dry defines metalcore's dry, controlled hi-hat standard — Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner both build around it - 15" hi-hats (Halpern, Greiner) give extra surface area and control for tightly muted, syncopated breakdown riffing - Meinl Byzance Brilliant gives Alex Bent a faster, brighter attack suited to Trivium's more melodic modern metal - Zildjian A Custom & K Custom gives Jay Weinberg a brighter, more explosive voice for Slipknot's aggressive hybrid sound --- ## What Makes Great Metalcore Hi-Hats? ### 🌫️ Dry vs Bright Voicing Metalcore's breakdown-driven riffing needs hi-hats that don't wash into a wall of sustain. Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner's Meinl Byzance Extra Dry hi-hats are voiced with minimal ring, staying controlled through syncopated, palm-muted passages. Alex Bent and Jay Weinberg instead favor brighter voicing for a faster, more cutting attack on more melodic or aggressive material. **Recommendation:** Extra Dry or dark voicing for breakdown-heavy technical metalcore; brighter Brilliant or A Custom voicing for melodic or aggressive metalcore ### 📏 Diameter 15" hi-hats — used by both Halpern and Greiner — give extra surface area and control compared to the more common 14" size, useful for the tightly muted, syncopated riff patterns that define much of metalcore's rhythmic vocabulary. Bent and Weinberg both use the more standard 14" size. **Recommendation:** 14" for standard response and versatility; 15" for extra control on tightly muted riffing ### 🦶 Chick Response for Breakdowns Metalcore's breakdown sections are frequently built around a tight, closed hi-hat chick locking in with the kick and snare. A hi-hat with a mushy, undefined chick undermines the precision that separates a tight breakdown from a sloppy one. **Recommendation:** Medium-heavy bottom cymbal for a crisp, defined chick under breakdown patterns ### ⚖️ Response Across Dynamic Extremes Metalcore songs frequently swing between quiet, clean-guitar verses and full-volume breakdowns within the same track. Hi-hats need to stay articulate at low-volume ghost-note work and still cut through a wall of distortion moments later. **Recommendation:** Medium weight hi-hats that respond cleanly across a wide dynamic range ### 🛡️ Touring Durability Metalcore's relentless touring schedule — full US and European package tours with multiple sets a night — puts sustained stress on hi-hats. Thick B20 bronze construction survives repeated breakdown-level impact far better than thin, budget alternatives. **Recommendation:** B20 bronze for serious touring durability --- ## Top Hi-Hats Used by Metalcore Legends ### 1. Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats — Meinl **Model:** Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats 15" **Price range:** €330-430 per pair **Tier:** pro **Material:** B20 Bronze, Extra Dry Finish **Rating:** 4.8/5 The Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats are metalcore's defining hi-hat sound, anchoring both Matt Halpern's Periphery setup and Matt Greiner's August Burns Red setup. Halpern runs 15" Dark Hi-Hats within his broader Extra Dry rig, engineered for the polyrhythmic precision Periphery's djent-metalcore hybrid demands across "Periphery II," "Juggernaut," and "Hail Stan." Greiner runs a near-identical 15" Dual Hi-Hats setup, driving August Burns Red's Grammy-nominated technical precision with jazz-influenced dynamics. Both drummers rely on the Extra Dry line's minimal-sustain voicing to stay controlled through breakdown-heavy, syncopated arrangements — exactly the kind of tightly muted riffing that defines metalcore's technical wing. The larger 15" diameter both drummers favor adds extra surface area and control versus the more common 14" pair. **Pros:** - Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner's shared setup — metalcore's most technically respected hi-hat sound - Extra Dry voicing stays controlled through breakdown-heavy, palm-muted riffing - 15" diameter gives extra control versus standard 14" pairs - Proven across Periphery and August Burns Red's full studio catalogs - Premium B20 bronze construction **Cons:** - Dry voicing has less natural sustain than brighter alternatives - Higher price point - Less explosive than the brighter Zildjian A Custom approach **Who uses it:** - Matt Halpern (Periphery) — 15" Dark Hi-Hats — polyrhythmic djent-metalcore precision - Matt Greiner (August Burns Red) — 15" Dual Hi-Hats — technical, jazz-influenced precision **Verdict:** The metalcore hi-hat standard. If you want the dry, controlled voice that defines the genre's technical wing, this is it. ### 2. Meinl Byzance Brilliant Hi-Hats — Meinl **Model:** Byzance Brilliant Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €300-400 per pair **Tier:** pro **Material:** B20 Bronze, Brilliant Finish **Rating:** 4.6/5 Alex Bent brought his technical death metal background from Brain Drill and Arkaik into Trivium, and his 14" Medium Hi-Hats from the Meinl Byzance Brilliant Series reflect that hybrid pedigree. The brilliant finish gives a faster, brighter attack than the Extra Dry line, matching Trivium's more melodic, riff-driven modern metal sound on "The Sin and the Sentence" and "In the Court of the Dragon." Where Halpern and Greiner prioritize dryness and control, Bent's Brilliant Series hi-hats show that a brighter, more resonant voice works equally well for metalcore-adjacent modern metal that leans into melody as much as breakdown weight. **Pros:** - Alex Bent's Trivium setup — proof that brighter voicing works for melodic metalcore - Brilliant finish gives faster, more cutting attack than Extra Dry alternatives - Standard 14" diameter for versatile response - Proven on Trivium's Grammy-nominated modern catalog **Cons:** - Brighter voicing less suited to pure breakdown-heavy technical metalcore - Higher price point - More sustain than Extra Dry may need more dampening in dense mixes **Who uses it:** - Alex Bent (Trivium) — 14" Medium Hi-Hats — melodic modern metalcore precision **Verdict:** Best for melodic modern metalcore. Bent's brighter hi-hats prove technical precision and melody aren't mutually exclusive. ### 3. Zildjian A Custom & K Custom Hi-Hats — Zildjian **Model:** A New Beat Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €280-420 per pair **Tier:** pro **Material:** B20 Bronze **Rating:** 4.5/5 Jay Weinberg of Slipknot stands apart from metalcore's Meinl-dominated landscape, running 14" A New Beat Hi-Hats from Zildjian's A Custom line alongside a K Custom ride and China elsewhere in his kit. This brighter, more explosive voice matches Slipknot's aggressive nu-metal/metalcore hybrid sound, honoring the band's legacy while adding Weinberg's own intensity. The A Custom line's brilliant finish gives fast, cutting response ideal for Slipknot's dynamic, theatrical arrangements — proof that metalcore's hi-hat choices scale from ultra-dry technical precision all the way to bright, explosive aggression depending on the specific sound a band is chasing. **Pros:** - Jay Weinberg's Slipknot setup — the brighter, more aggressive end of metalcore's hi-hat spectrum - A Custom's brilliant finish gives fast, explosive response - Proven on massive stages across Slipknot's global touring career - Consistent Zildjian quality **Cons:** - Brighter voicing less suited to breakdown-heavy technical metalcore than Meinl Byzance Extra Dry - Higher price point - Less dry control than the genre's more technical setups **Who uses it:** - Jay Weinberg (Slipknot) — 14" A New Beat Hi-Hats — aggressive, nu-metal-influenced metalcore **Verdict:** Best for aggressive, nu-metal-influenced metalcore. Weinberg's setup brings explosive brightness to the genre. ### 4. Sabian AAX Stage Hi-Hats — Sabian **Model:** AAX Stage Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €180-260 per pair **Tier:** mid **Material:** B20 Bronze **Rating:** 4.3/5 The Sabian AAX Stage Hi-Hats offer a bright, cutting alternative for metalcore drummers who want A Custom-style projection without committing to Meinl or Zildjian's specific signature lineages. The B20 bronze construction and brilliant finish deliver a fast, aggressive attack that works well for breakdown punctuation and syncopated riff work alike. While not tied to one of metalcore's specific signature setups, AAX Stage hi-hats appear widely across the touring and session circuit for their reliability and consistent worldwide availability — a practical mid-tier step toward the genre's flagship setups. **Pros:** - Bright, cutting B20 tone comparable to the brighter metalcore setups - More accessible pricing than Meinl Byzance or Zildjian signature lines - Reliable and widely available worldwide - Good stepping stone toward flagship pro pairs **Cons:** - Not tied to a specific metalcore legend's setup - Less distinctive character than Meinl Byzance Extra Dry **Who uses it:** - Metalcore drummers worldwide (Various) — Widely used alternative across touring and session metalcore setups **Verdict:** Strong mid-tier alternative for metalcore. Bright, reliable, and widely accessible. --- ## Best Budget Hi-Hats for Metalcore You don't need Byzance or A Custom pricing to start chasing metalcore's controlled, breakdown-ready hi-hat sound. These pairs deliver real performance at accessible prices. ### Sabian AAX Stage Hi-Hats — Sabian **Model:** AAX Stage Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €180-260 per pair **Tier:** mid **Material:** B20 Bronze **Rating:** 4.3/5 See above. A reliable, widely available step toward the brighter end of metalcore's hi-hat spectrum without the full Meinl or Zildjian signature-line premium. **Pros:** - Bright, cutting B20 tone - Widely available worldwide - Good stepping stone toward pro pairs **Cons:** - Not tied to a specific metalcore legend's setup **Verdict:** Top budget pick for bright, breakdown-ready metalcore hi-hats. ### Meinl Classics Custom Dark Hi-Hats — Meinl **Model:** Classics Custom Dark Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €150-220 per pair **Tier:** budget **Material:** B8/B20 Bronze **Rating:** 4/5 An affordable entry point for drummers chasing the dry, controlled character of Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner's Byzance Extra Dry setups, before upgrading to the full Byzance line. **Pros:** - Dark, controlled tone similar to Extra Dry character - Accessible pricing - Clear upgrade path to Byzance Extra Dry **Cons:** - B8 models lack B20 depth **Verdict:** Best entry point for dry, controlled metalcore hi-hats. --- ## Dry vs Bright Hi-Hats for Metalcore Metalcore's hi-hat choices split into two clear camps, defined by the genre's most influential drummers: **Dry (Meinl Byzance Extra Dry — Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner's choice):** - Controlled, low-sustain voicing - Suits breakdown-heavy, palm-muted, syncopated arrangements - 15" diameter common for extra control - The genre's technical benchmark **Bright (Meinl Byzance Brilliant — Alex Bent's choice; Zildjian A Custom — Jay Weinberg's choice):** - Faster, more cutting attack - Suits melodic, riff-driven, or aggressive nu-metal-influenced metalcore - Standard 14" diameter - The contemporary alternative for genre-crossing bands **Metalcore Verdict:** Choose dry (Meinl Byzance Extra Dry) if you play breakdown-heavy, technical metalcore in the Periphery or August Burns Red tradition. Choose bright (Meinl Byzance Brilliant or Zildjian A Custom) if you play melodic or aggressive metalcore in the Trivium or Slipknot tradition. | feature | birch | maple | | --- | --- | --- | | Breakdown Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | | Cutting Articulation | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Metalcore Tradition | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Dynamic Range | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Price (entry) | €150+ | €180+ | --- ## Our Top Picks for Metalcore - **Best Overall:** Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats — Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner's shared setup — the genre's most technically respected hi-hat sound. - **Best for Melodic Metalcore:** Meinl Byzance Brilliant Hi-Hats — Alex Bent's Trivium setup. Faster, brighter attack for melodic, riff-driven material. - **Best for Aggressive Metalcore:** Zildjian A Custom & K Custom Hi-Hats — Jay Weinberg's choice for Slipknot's explosive, nu-metal-influenced hybrid sound. - **Best Budget:** Meinl Classics Custom Dark Hi-Hats — Real dry, controlled character without the flagship Byzance price. --- ## FAQ **What hi-hats are used in metalcore?** Matt Halpern of Periphery and Matt Greiner of August Burns Red both use 15" Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats for controlled, low-sustain response. Alex Bent of Trivium uses 14" Meinl Byzance Brilliant Hi-Hats for a brighter, faster attack. Jay Weinberg of Slipknot uses 14" Zildjian A Custom Hi-Hats for explosive projection. **What hi-hats does Matt Halpern use?** Matt Halpern of Periphery uses 15" Dark Hi-Hats from the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Series, part of his broader Extra Dry cymbal setup that also includes 18" and 20" crashes, a 22" Transition Ride, and an 18" China. **What size hi-hats for metalcore?** 14" is the standard metalcore hi-hat size, used by Alex Bent and Jay Weinberg. Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner both prefer 15" for extra surface area and control on tightly muted, syncopated breakdown riffing. **Best hi-hats for breakdowns?** Dry, controlled hi-hats with a defined chick handle breakdown patterns best. Meinl Byzance Extra Dry (Matt Halpern, Matt Greiner) is the genre's technical benchmark. Meinl Byzance Brilliant (Alex Bent) and Zildjian A Custom (Jay Weinberg) offer brighter alternatives for more melodic or aggressive breakdown-adjacent material. **Dry or bright hi-hats for metalcore?** Both work at the highest level. Dry hi-hats (Meinl Byzance Extra Dry, Halpern and Greiner's choice) suit breakdown-heavy, technical metalcore. Bright hi-hats (Meinl Byzance Brilliant, Bent's choice; Zildjian A Custom, Weinberg's choice) suit melodic or aggressive, nu-metal-influenced metalcore. Choose based on which subgenre and production style you're chasing. --- ## Find Your Metalcore Hi-Hat Voice Metalcore hi-hats split into two proven traditions: the dry, controlled character that Matt Halpern and Matt Greiner both build their setups around, and the brighter, more articulate sound that Alex Bent and Jay Weinberg favor for melodic or aggressive, genre-crossing material. If you play breakdown-heavy, technical metalcore, start with a 15" Meinl Byzance Extra Dry pair or the budget Classics Custom Dark — both stay controlled through syncopated, palm-muted riffing. If you play melodic or aggressive metalcore, Meinl Byzance Brilliant or Zildjian A Custom will give you the cutting articulation or explosive projection your playing demands. Whatever you choose, prioritize consistent chick response and dynamic range over flashy features — the hi-hat is the most-used cymbal in metalcore drumming, and it needs to lock in every breakdown and syncopated riff with total precision. 🤘 **Now go breakdown.** --- ## Related Guides - [Best Cymbals for Metalcore: 2026 Expert Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-metalcore) - [Best Drum Kits for Metalcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-metalcore) - [Best Snare Drums for Metalcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-snare-drums-for-metalcore) ## Related Drummers - [Matt Halpern](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-halpern) — Meinl Byzance Extra Dry 15" Hi-Hats — Periphery djent-metalcore precision - [Matt Greiner](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-greiner) — Meinl Byzance Extra Dry 15" Hi-Hats — August Burns Red technical precision - [Alex Bent](https://metalforge.io/drummer/alex-bent) — Meinl Byzance Brilliant 14" Hi-Hats — Trivium melodic modern metal - [Jay Weinberg](https://metalforge.io/drummer/jay-weinberg) — Zildjian A Custom 14" Hi-Hats — Slipknot explosive hybrid sound --- **More LLM resources:** [Guides Hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides.md) · [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt) · [Full database](https://metalforge.io/llms-full.txt)