# Best Ride Cymbals for Metal — MetalForge **Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/best-ride-cymbals-for-metal ## Who This Guide Is For Metal drummers looking for a ride cymbal that cuts through a dense, downtuned mix instead of washing out under it — and what George Kollias, Mario Duplantier, Mike Portnoy, Dave Lombardo, and Gene Hoglan actually play. Covers bell size, alloy, and weight across all budgets. --- ## Why the Ride Cymbal Matters More Than You Think in Metal The ride cymbal carries the pulse under blast beats, drives double-bass verses, and — via its bell — cuts through a wall of guitars when a fill or chorus needs extra punch. A ride that's too thin washes out under gain-drenched mixes; one that's too dark disappears entirely once the whole band kicks in. George Kollias (Nile) rides a 21" Zildjian A Custom Mega Bell Ride for the piercing accents that cut through Nile's dense technical death metal arrangements past 240 BPM. Mario Duplantier (Gojira) plays a 21" Zildjian Z Custom Mega Bell Ride for the same reason. Mike Portnoy runs a 21" Sabian Raw Bell Dry Ride across Dream Theater and his other projects for dry, controlled stick definition, while Dave Lombardo (Slayer) rides a 22" Paiste Reign Power Ride for a heavier, more explosive wash. Gene Hoglan has played a 22" Sabian AAX Ride across Death, Testament, and Dethklok for over two decades. --- ## Recommended Ride Cymbals for Metal ### 1. Zildjian A Custom Mega Bell Ride — Best Overall - **Size:** 21" - **Alloy:** B20 Bronze, Brilliant - **Price range:** €280–€340 - **Best for:** Technical and death metal bell accents **Who uses it:** - **George Kollias** ([/drummer/george-kollias](https://metalforge.io/drummer/george-kollias)) — Nile; bell accents cutting through technical death metal past 240 BPM An oversized bell built specifically to punch through a dense, technical mix, paired with A Custom's bright, cutting body tone. --- ### 2. Zildjian Z Custom Mega Bell Ride — Best for Progressive Death Metal - **Size:** 21" - **Alloy:** B20 Bronze, Brilliant - **Price range:** €300–€360 - **Best for:** Darker, more powerful low-end with bell projection **Who uses it:** - **Mario Duplantier** ([/drummer/mario-duplantier](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mario-duplantier)) — Gojira; cutting through progressive death metal mixes Darker and more powerful than the A Custom line, with the same Mega Bell design for maximum accent projection. --- ### 3. Sabian HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride — Best for Progressive/Technical Metal - **Size:** 21" - **Alloy:** B20 Bronze, Raw Bell - **Price range:** €260–€320 - **Best for:** Dry, controlled stick definition at speed **Who uses it:** - **Mike Portnoy** ([/drummer/mike-portnoy](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mike-portnoy)) — Dream Theater; dry stick control for odd-time progressive metal - **Flo Mounier** ([/drummer/flo-mounier](https://metalforge.io/drummer/flo-mounier)) — Cryptopsy; technical death metal clarity A dry, controlled body with an unlathed raw bell for a distinctly clear accent ping that stays articulate at speed. --- ### 4. Paiste 2002 Reign Power Ride — Loudest / Most Explosive - **Size:** 22" - **Alloy:** CuSn8 Bronze, Brilliant - **Price range:** €240–€300 - **Best for:** Thrash and groove metal volume **Who uses it:** - **Dave Lombardo** ([/drummer/dave-lombardo](https://metalforge.io/drummer/dave-lombardo)) — Slayer; driving thrash metal pulse A heavier, more explosive ride designed to hold up under the loudest thrash and groove metal stages without breaking up. --- ### 5. Sabian AAX Ride — Best All-Rounder - **Size:** 22" - **Alloy:** B20 Bronze, Brilliant - **Price range:** €200–€260 - **Best for:** Versatility across multiple metal subgenres **Who uses it:** - **Gene Hoglan** ([/drummer/gene-hoglan](https://metalforge.io/drummer/gene-hoglan)) — Death / Testament / Dethklok; consistent choice across 20+ bands Balances bright cut with genuine versatility, holding up across thrash, death metal, and progressive playing. --- ## Mega Bell vs Standard Bell Ride for Metal **Mega Bell Rides (George Kollias, Mario Duplantier):** - Oversized bell for piercing, cutting accents through dense mixes - Best when bell patterns are a core part of your playing **Standard Bell Rides (Gene Hoglan, Dave Lombardo):** - More balanced stick/bell response for all-around playing - Best for drummers who want versatility without specializing for bell work **Verdict:** Start with a 21"-22" standard-bell pro ride like the Sabian AAX. Upgrade to a Mega Bell design once you know how much bell work your playing actually demands. --- ## FAQ **What ride cymbal do metal drummers use?** George Kollias (Nile) rides a 21" Zildjian A Custom Mega Bell Ride, Mario Duplantier (Gojira) plays the darker 21" Z Custom Mega Bell Ride, and Mike Portnoy rides a 21" Sabian Raw Bell Dry Ride. Gene Hoglan has played a 22" Sabian AAX Ride across Death, Testament, and Dethklok for over two decades. **What size ride cymbal is best for metal?** 21"-22" is the metal standard, balancing low-end weight and wash with enough speed for fast patterns. 20" rides respond faster but offer less body. **Do I need a Mega Bell ride for metal drumming?** Not necessarily. A Mega Bell design like the Zildjian A Custom Mega Bell (George Kollias's choice) is a genuine upgrade if bell accents are central to your playing. A standard-bell option like the Sabian AAX (Gene Hoglan's choice) is more versatile. **What's the best budget ride cymbal for metal?** The Zildjian ZBT Ride (€70–90) delivers a bright, cutting B8 bronze tone with a usable bell at a true beginner price. The Sabian XSR Monarch Ride (€130–160) brings B20 bronze to a mid-range price. **Dry ride vs washy ride — which is better for metal?** Dry, controlled rides like Sabian's Raw Bell Dry Ride (Mike Portnoy's choice) keep stick definition tight, ideal for technical and progressive metal. Washier rides like Paiste's Reign Power Ride (Dave Lombardo's choice) build a bigger wall of sound suited to thrash. --- ## Related Guides - [Best Cymbals for Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-metal) - [Best Crash Cymbals for Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-crash-cymbals-for-metal) - [Best China Cymbals for Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-china-cymbals-for-metal)