# Best Snare Drums for Black Metal — MetalForge **Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/best-snare-drums-for-black-metal ## Who This Guide Is For Black metal drummers who want to know which snare drums deliver a dry, cutting crack through raw production — and what Hellhammer and Frost (Sonor SQ2 Maple) and Inferno and Daray (Pearl Reference Steel/Brass) actually play. Covers maple vs steel vs brass and clear recommendations from budget to pro. --- ## Why the Snare Defines Black Metal's Cutting Crack Black metal's snare drum has to do something contradictory: cut through raw, deliberately harsh production while sitting inside a mix that's often intentionally lo-fi. Unlike death metal's punchy, tight snare crack or thrash's bright backbeat, black metal snares need a sharp, dry attack that survives both blast beat tempo and the genre's traditionally rough recording standards. Hellhammer of Mayhem and Frost of Satyricon and 1349 both anchor their kits with Sonor SQ2 maple snares — Hellhammer's 14x5.5" and Frost's slightly deeper 14x6" — delivering the dry, cutting crack that defined "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas." Inferno of Behemoth and Daray of Dimmu Borgir and Vader both trust Pearl Reference snares instead: Inferno's 14x5" steel shell for maximum brightness, and Daray's 14x5.5" brass shell for a warmer crack that cuts through Dimmu Borgir's full symphonic orchestration. --- ## Recommended Snare Drums for Black Metal ### 1. Sonor SQ2 Maple — Best Overall - **Shell material:** Maple (5-ply, custom) - **Price range:** €500–€750 - **Best for:** Traditional and Nordic black metal, raw/lo-fi production **Who uses it:** - **Hellhammer** ([/drummer/hellhammer](https://metalforge.io/drummer/hellhammer)) — 14x5.5" Sonor SQ2 Maple; foundational black metal snare crack - **Frost** ([/drummer/frost](https://metalforge.io/drummer/frost)) — 14x6" Sonor SQ2 Maple; dry, cutting Nordic black metal precision Sonor's custom shell configurator lets each drummer dial in exact ply count, bearing edge, and hardware to match precise tonal goals. The maple shell's warm, dry character prioritizes focused crack over ringing sustain. --- ### 2. Pearl Reference Steel — Best for Modern/Technical Black Metal - **Shell material:** Steel - **Price range:** €350–€550 - **Best for:** Modern, technical black/death hybrid styles **Who uses it:** - **Inferno** ([/drummer/inferno](https://metalforge.io/drummer/inferno)) — 14x5" Pearl Reference Steel; modern black/death metal precision The steel shell's bright, cutting attack projects more aggressively than maple alternatives — needed when a mix stacks orchestration, down-tuned guitars, and extreme vocals on top of relentless drumming. --- ### 3. Pearl Reference Brass — Best for Symphonic Black Metal - **Shell material:** Brass - **Price range:** €400–€600 - **Best for:** Symphonic black metal competing against orchestration **Who uses it:** - **Daray** ([/drummer/daray](https://metalforge.io/drummer/daray)) — 14x5.5" Pearl Reference Brass; symphonic black metal warmth and cut Brass shells add musical overtone complexity that pure steel lacks — valuable when a snare has to compete with a full symphonic arrangement rather than just guitars and bass. --- ### 4. Pearl Sensitone Steel — Best Mid-Range - **Shell material:** Thin Steel - **Price range:** €200–€320 - **Best for:** Developing black metal drummers stepping up from budget gear The thin-gauge steel shell delivers excellent sensitivity and a bright, cutting crack — a genuine step-up option for drummers who aren't ready for Reference Series pricing. --- ## Maple vs Steel vs Brass for Black Metal Snares **Maple (Sonor SQ2 — Hellhammer, Frost):** - Warm, dry, focused crack with minimal excess ring - The historically foundational black metal snare tone **Steel (Pearl Reference — Inferno):** - Brighter, more cutting attack with maximum projection - Best for modern, technical black/death hybrid styles **Brass (Pearl Reference — Daray):** - Warmer, more complex crack with musical overtones - Best for symphonic black metal competing against orchestration **Verdict:** Hellhammer and Frost prove maple's dry, foundational crack still works at the highest level of black metal. Inferno and Daray show steel and brass both have a place when the mix gets more complex. Start with maple for the classic dry crack, steel for modern technicality, or brass for symphonic arrangements. --- ## FAQ **What snare drum does Hellhammer use?** Hellhammer of Mayhem uses a Sonor SQ2 14x5.5" Maple snare, tuned for the dry, cutting crack heard throughout "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas." **What snare drum does Frost use?** Frost of Satyricon and 1349 uses a Sonor SQ2 14x6" Maple snare — a slightly deeper version of the same platform Hellhammer plays. **Maple or steel — which is better for black metal snares?** Both work at the highest level. Maple (Hellhammer, Frost) gives a warm, dry, foundational crack. Steel (Inferno) gives a brighter, more cutting attack for modern, technical styles. **What snare drum does Inferno use?** Inferno of Behemoth uses a Pearl Reference 14x5" Steel snare, chosen for its bright, cutting projection through Behemoth's dense modern arrangements. **Do I need an expensive snare to play black metal?** No — a Pearl Export snare (€120-180) mirrors the steel-shell approach behind Inferno's Reference setup at true entry-level pricing. **What snare size is best for black metal?** 14" diameter is universal across Hellhammer, Frost, Inferno, and Daray's setups. Depth varies from 5" (Inferno, for speed) to 6" (Frost, for body). --- ## Related Guides - [Best Drum Kits for Black Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-black-metal) - [Best Cymbals for Black Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-black-metal) - [Best Hi-Hats for Black Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-hi-hats-for-black-metal) - [Best Snare Drums for Death Metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-snare-drums-for-death-metal)