# Best Splash Cymbals for Metalcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide > Discover the best splash cymbals for metalcore drumming. Expert recommendations on bright, fast-decaying accent cymbals for breakdown-heavy, syncopated riffing, featuring the splash setups used by Matt Greiner, Blake Richardson, and Art Cruz. **Guide URL:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/best-splash-cymbals-for-metalcore](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-splash-cymbals-for-metalcore) **Last Updated:** 2026-07-07 --- ## The Accent Cymbal Metalcore's Dynamics Reward Metalcore lives on dynamic contrast — blast-adjacent verses that snap into slow, weighted breakdowns, clean melodic sections that explode into full-throttle chugging. A splash cymbal, typically 8" to 12" in diameter, adds one more tool to that dynamic vocabulary: a bright, sharp attack that decays almost instantly instead of ringing over the next bar the way a full-size crash would, giving a drummer a way to punctuate a single moment — the top of a breakdown, a syncopated stab before a drop — without smearing into what comes next. Matt Greiner's Meinl Byzance rig for August Burns Red runs both 10" and 12" Splashes as a standard part of one of metalcore's most studied and technically demanding cymbal setups, giving him extra accent options across the band's math-metal-adjacent arrangements. Blake Richardson runs a Sabian HH Duo Splash within his own genre-hopping Between the Buried and Me setup, where technical metalcore-adjacent material benefits from a cymbal built purely for a single accent moment. Art Cruz's Zildjian rig — built across his time in Winds of Plague and now Lamb of God — includes 9" FX Trash Splashes for sharp, unconventional punctuation, a reminder that a splash's usefulness in metalcore extends beyond a single clean accent into more aggressive textural territory too. Despite that, a splash remains one of the most overlooked cymbals among developing metalcore drummers, usually added only after a breakdown-heavy set starts to feel tonally flat. That's a real gap in a genre defined by dynamic swings, and a splash is the cheapest, smallest way to close it. This guide covers what actually matters when choosing a splash cymbal for metalcore — size, alloy, and mounting — with specific recommendations across every budget. **Key Points:** - A splash's fast decay gives metalcore's breakdown-to-blast dynamic swings a distinct accent voice a full-size crash can't replicate - Matt Greiner runs 10" and 12" Meinl Byzance Splashes as a standard part of his August Burns Red touring rig - Blake Richardson's Sabian HH Duo Splash punctuates Between the Buried and Me's technical, metalcore-adjacent material - Art Cruz's 9" Zildjian FX Trash Splashes show a splash's usefulness in metalcore extends into aggressive, unconventional textures too --- ## What Makes a Great Splash Cymbal for Metalcore? ### 📏 Size Splash cymbals typically range from 8" to 12". Smaller sizes (8"-10") decay faster and cut with a sharper, more piercing stab, while larger splashes (10"-12") — like Matt Greiner's Meinl Byzance pair — retain more body for a fuller accent voice. **Recommendation:** 10" covers most metalcore accent work; add a 12" for a fuller, less piercing voice ### 🔥 Metal Alloy B20 bronze alloy (Meinl Byzance, Sabian HH, Zildjian A/K) delivers a more complex, musical overtone structure that cuts cleanly through drop-tuned breakdowns. B8 bronze is brighter and more one-dimensional but far more affordable. **Recommendation:** B20 for professional tonal complexity; B8 is a genuinely usable budget alternative ### 🎚️ Response Across Dynamics Metalcore's arrangements swing between fast, blast-adjacent verses and slow, weighted breakdowns, so a splash needs to respond cleanly to both a light accent tap and a hard stab without choking or sounding thin at either extreme. **Recommendation:** Prioritize a wide dynamic range over raw volume for tempo-shifting sets ### ✨ Finish Brilliant or dual finishes (Meinl Byzance Dual, Sabian HH Duo) lean brighter and cut harder for precise, cutting accent stabs. Extra Dry or trash-style finishes (Zildjian FX Trash) produce a drier, more aggressive, less musical texture. **Recommendation:** Brilliant/Dual for cutting breakdown accents; a trash-style splash for a more unconventional, aggressive texture ### 🔧 Mounting Position Splashes usually mount on a dedicated stand close to the snare or above the hi-hats, since fast tempo-to-breakdown transitions leave little room for reaching across the kit for a single accent hit. **Recommendation:** Mount close to your primary playing zone for split-second accent access mid-transition ### 🥞 Stacking Potential Some metalcore drummers stack a splash on top of a hi-hat or another small cymbal to create a trashier, more complex accent texture — a common technique for expanding a limited cymbal setup's tonal range without adding more stands. **Recommendation:** Consider a splash you're comfortable stacking if you want more textural variety without a bigger rig --- ## Top Splash Cymbals for Metalcore Drummers ### 1. Meinl Byzance Series Splash — Meinl **Model:** Byzance Dual Splash 10" & 12" **Price range:** €110-160 (pair) **Tier:** pro **Type:** B20 Bronze, Dual Finish **Rating:** 4.7/5 Meinl's Byzance Dual finish blends a brighter top with a drier undertone, giving a splash enough cut to punctuate a fast verse while staying controlled enough not to clutter a heavy breakdown. Matt Greiner's touring cymbal setup for August Burns Red runs both 10" and 12" Meinl Byzance Splashes as a standard part of one of metalcore's most studied and technically demanding cymbal rigs, giving him extra accent options across the band's math-metal-adjacent arrangements. **Pros:** - The exact 10"/12" pairing Matt Greiner runs in his August Burns Red touring rig - Dual finish balances cutting brightness with controlled decay - Complex, musical B20 overtones suited to technically demanding arrangements - Pairs naturally with other Byzance Dual crashes and hi-hats **Cons:** - Premium price, especially buying both sizes as a pair - Requires two stands (or a multi-clamp) for the full 10"/12" setup - Dual finish is a specific tonal choice, not universally preferred **Who uses it:** - Matt Greiner (August Burns Red) — 10"/12" Splashes within Meinl Byzance touring rig **Verdict:** The best all-around pick for metalcore, matching one of the genre's most studied touring cymbal setups exactly. ### 2. Sabian HH Duo Splash — Sabian **Model:** HH Duo Splash 10" **Price range:** €100-130 **Tier:** pro **Type:** B20 Bronze, Dual-Finish **Rating:** 4.5/5 The HH Duo pairs a brilliant top with a traditional-finish underside, blending brighter cut with a slightly drier undertone in a single cymbal — a versatile middle ground for metalcore's mix of fast, cutting verses and slower, heavier breakdowns. Blake Richardson runs the HH Duo Splash within his broader Sabian setup for Between the Buried and Me, where the band's technical, metalcore-adjacent arrangements benefit from a splash that adapts depending on how hard and where it's struck. **Pros:** - Dual-finish design blends brightness with a drier undertone - Versatile voicing that adapts to breakdown-to-blast dynamic shifts - Proven in genuinely technical, metalcore-adjacent BTBAM material - Slightly more affordable than a matched 10"/12" Byzance pair **Cons:** - Single cymbal rather than a matched pair - Still a premium-tier price for an accent cymbal - Dual-finish character is subtle rather than dramatic **Who uses it:** - Blake Richardson (Between the Buried and Me) — 10" splash within Sabian touring rig **Verdict:** A versatile single-splash option for drummers who want both bright and controlled character in one cymbal. ### 3. Zildjian FX Trash Splash — Zildjian **Model:** FX Trash Splash 9" **Price range:** €90-120 **Tier:** pro **Type:** B20 Bronze, Trash/EFX Style **Rating:** 4.4/5 Zildjian's FX Trash Splash trades a clean, musical splash tone for a raw, aggressive, slightly dirty texture — a genuinely different accent voice for metalcore drummers who want something more unconventional than a standard bright or dry splash. Art Cruz's Zildjian rig, built through his time in Winds of Plague and now Lamb of God, includes 9" FX Trash Splashes for exactly this kind of sharp, unconventional punctuation alongside his A Custom crashes and K China. **Pros:** - Distinctly raw, aggressive texture unlike a standard clean splash - The exact accent-cymbal category Art Cruz runs in his touring rig - Smaller 9" size decays extremely fast for the sharpest possible stab - Stands out clearly against a dense, heavily distorted metalcore mix **Cons:** - Trashy, unconventional voicing isn't for every drummer or every song - Less musical, blendable tone than a standard bronze splash - Premium price for a niche-use accent cymbal **Who uses it:** - Art Cruz (Lamb of God) — 9" FX Trash Splashes within Zildjian touring rig **Verdict:** The most aggressive, unconventional splash here for drummers who want raw texture over clean tone. ### 4. Sabian HHX Evolution Splash — Sabian **Model:** HHX Evolution Splash 10" **Price range:** €120-150 **Tier:** pro **Type:** B20 Bronze, Brilliant Finish **Rating:** 4.5/5 HHX Evolution's brilliant finish and refined B20 formula deliver a crisp, articulate splash voice that responds well to both light accent taps and the full-force stabs metalcore's fast tempo-to-breakdown transitions demand. For metalcore drummers who want a clean, bright, all-purpose accent rather than Matt Greiner's dual-finish pairing or Art Cruz's trash-style texture, the HHX Evolution splits the difference with a straightforward, cutting attack. **Pros:** - Crisp, articulate response across a wide dynamic range - Bright finish cuts clearly through a dense, distorted metalcore mix - Reliable, professional B20 build quality - Straightforward, all-purpose accent voice **Cons:** - Premium price point - Less distinctive than Matt Greiner's dual-finish pairing or Art Cruz's trash-style splash - Sold individually, adding to overall cymbal setup cost **Verdict:** The most straightforward, all-purpose bright splash for metalcore drummers who want reliable cut. --- ## Best Budget Splash Cymbals for Metalcore You don't need a premium B20 bronze splash to start building your accent vocabulary. These affordable options deliver a genuinely usable splash voice for developing metalcore drummers. ### Zildjian Planet Z Splash — Zildjian **Model:** Planet Z Splash 10" **Price range:** €35-50 **Tier:** budget **Type:** B8 Bronze **Rating:** 4/5 A budget B8 bronze splash from Zildjian's entry-level Planet Z line, offering a bright, usable accent voice at a fraction of the pro-tier price — a genuine starting point for learning splash placement across breakdowns and syncopated stabs. **Pros:** - Very affordable entry point from a trusted major brand - Bright, clearly audible accent voice - Good for learning splash placement before upgrading **Cons:** - B8 bronze lacks the tonal complexity of premium B20 splashes - Less refined decay control than pro-tier options **Verdict:** Best true-budget entry point for learning splash technique. ### Sabian SBR Splash — Sabian **Model:** SBR Splash 10" **Price range:** €30-45 **Tier:** budget **Type:** B8 Bronze **Rating:** 3.9/5 Sabian's entry-level SBR line brings a genuinely usable, bright splash voice to beginner setups, pairing naturally with SBR crashes and hi-hats for drummers building a full budget cymbal package. **Pros:** - Affordable and widely available - Pairs naturally with other SBR series cymbals - Bright enough to cut through practice-volume playing **Cons:** - B8 bronze construction limits tonal depth - Decay less controlled than premium options **Verdict:** Best budget splash for drummers already building an SBR series setup. ### Meinl HCS Splash — Meinl **Model:** HCS Splash 10" **Price range:** €25-40 **Tier:** budget **Type:** Brass Alloy **Rating:** 3.8/5 Meinl's HCS line uses a more affordable brass alloy rather than bronze, but still delivers a clear, usable splash accent for developing drummers building their first full cymbal setup on a tight budget. **Pros:** - Very budget-friendly, among the cheapest splashes available - Clear, audible accent despite the brass construction - Consistent with other HCS series cymbals for a matched beginner setup **Cons:** - Brass alloy has noticeably less tonal complexity than bronze - Shorter usable lifespan under heavy playing than pro-tier splashes **Verdict:** Best ultra-budget splash for a first full beginner cymbal setup. --- ## Clean/Musical vs Trash/Aggressive Splash Voicing Splash cymbals for metalcore generally split into two tonal camps: **Clean/Musical Splashes (Meinl Byzance Dual, Sabian HH Duo, HHX Evolution):** - A bright, controlled accent that punctuates a moment without clashing with the surrounding cymbal setup - Favored by drummers like Matt Greiner and Blake Richardson for precise, repeatable accent work across technical arrangements - Best when you want the splash to sound like a natural extension of your existing crashes and hi-hats **Trash/Aggressive Splashes (Zildjian FX Trash):** - A raw, dirty, less musical texture that stands out sharply against a dense, distorted mix - Favored by drummers like Art Cruz for unconventional punctuation that doesn't blend in - Best when you want the splash to sound distinctly different from every other cymbal on your kit **The Truth:** Neither voicing is objectively better — it depends on whether you want your splash to blend seamlessly into your existing setup or to stand out as a deliberately different texture. A clean splash is the more versatile first purchase; a trash-style splash is a strong second cymbal once you know exactly what unconventional accent you're chasing. **Our Recommendation:** Start with a Meinl Byzance Dual or Sabian HH Duo Splash for a versatile, all-purpose accent. Add a Zildjian FX Trash Splash later if you want the kind of raw, aggressive texture Art Cruz runs in his own touring rig. | feature | directDrive | chainDrive | | --- | --- | --- | | Blends With Existing Setup | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | | Stands Out As Distinct Texture | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Versatility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | | Cut Through Dense Mix | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Price Range | €25-160 | €90-120 | --- ## Our Top Picks - **Best Overall:** Meinl Byzance Series Splash — The exact 10"/12" pairing Matt Greiner runs in one of metalcore's most studied touring rigs. - **Most Versatile:** Sabian HH Duo Splash — Dual-finish design proven in Blake Richardson's technical, metalcore-adjacent BTBAM material. - **Best Budget:** Zildjian Planet Z Splash — A genuinely usable, bright entry-level splash for learning accent placement and technique. - **Most Aggressive:** Zildjian FX Trash Splash — The raw, unconventional texture Art Cruz runs for sharp punctuation in his own touring rig. --- ## FAQ **What splash cymbal size works best for metalcore fills?** A 10" splash is the most common choice, though Matt Greiner runs both 10" and 12" Meinl Byzance Splashes in his August Burns Red touring rig for a broader range of accent sizes. Art Cruz runs a smaller 9" FX Trash Splash for a sharper, more aggressive texture. **Do metalcore drummers use splash or effects cymbals live?** Both, and often together. Matt Greiner's live rig runs a full 18" china alongside 10" and 12" splashes, giving him distinct textures for both abrupt punctuation and precise, single-hit accents across August Burns Red's breakdown-heavy sets. **Where to mount a splash in a metalcore setup?** Most metalcore drummers mount a splash on a dedicated stand close to the snare or just above the hi-hats, since fast tempo-to-breakdown transitions leave little time to reach across the kit for a single accent hit. **What's the difference between a splash and a crash cymbal?** A splash is smaller (typically 8"-12" versus 16"+ for a crash) and decays almost instantly, punctuating a single hit without sustaining. A crash is designed to ring out over several beats, which can clash with a metalcore breakdown's weighted, syncopated hits if used the same way. **What's the best budget splash cymbal for metalcore?** The Zildjian Planet Z Splash (€35-50) and Sabian SBR Splash (€30-45) both use budget B8 bronze but deliver a genuinely usable, bright accent voice for developing drummers, while the Meinl HCS Splash (€25-40) is the most affordable brass-alloy option for a first full beginner cymbal setup. --- ## Punctuate the Breakdown, Don't Blur It Metalcore's identity is built on dynamic contrast, and a splash cymbal is a genuinely useful tool for sharpening that contrast rather than letting it blur. Matt Greiner's matched 10"/12" Meinl Byzance Splashes give August Burns Red's technical arrangements extra accent range, while Art Cruz's raw Zildjian FX Trash Splashes show the same small cymbal can serve a completely different, more aggressive purpose depending on how it's voiced. Start with a single 10" splash mounted close to your snare, and consider a second, more aggressive splash once you know exactly what kind of accent your breakdowns are missing. It's a small cymbal, but it closes a real gap most standard metalcore cymbal setups leave open. 🤘 **Punctuate the breakdown, don't blur it.** --- ## Related Guides - [Best Splash Cymbals for Metal: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-splash-cymbals-for-metal) - [Best Cymbals for Metalcore: 2026 Expert Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-metalcore) - [Best Crash Cymbals for Metalcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-crash-cymbals-for-metalcore) ## Related Drummers - [Matt Greiner](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-greiner) — 10"/12" Meinl Byzance Splashes — one of metalcore's most studied touring cymbal rigs - [Blake Richardson](https://metalforge.io/drummer/blake-richardson) — Sabian HH Duo Splash — BTBAM technical, metalcore-adjacent arrangements - [Art Cruz](https://metalforge.io/drummer/art-cruz) — 9" Zildjian FX Trash Splashes — groove-metalcore hybrid punctuation --- **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)