# Matt Greiner vs Matt Halpern — Drum Kit & Gear Comparison | MetalForge > Side-by-side gear comparison between Matt Greiner (August Burns Red) and Matt Halpern (Periphery). **Category:** Metalcore / Progressive Metal (Djent) · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/matt-greiner-vs-matt-halpern August Burns Red's Matt Greiner vs Periphery's Matt Halpern. Metalcore vs djent: Grammy-nominated ABR technique versus polyrhythmic djent groove. Two Pearl endorsers, two distinct schools of modern heavy drumming. --- ## At a Glance | Spec | Matt Greiner | Matt Halpern | |------|-------------|-------------| | Drums | Pearl Masters Maple Reserve | Pearl Reference Series | | Cymbals | Sabian AAX / HHX Series | Meinl Byzance Series | | Snare | Pearl Matt Greiner Signature 14x6.5" Brass | Pearl Reference 14x6.5" Brass | | Pedals | Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal | Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal | | Sticks | Vic Firth 5A | Promark Matt Halpern Signature | --- ## Gear Deep Dive ### Matt Greiner Setup - **Drums:** Pearl Masters Maple Reserve - **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX / HHX Series (14" AAX X-Plosion Hi-Hats, 17" AAX Thin Crash, 19" HHX Evolution Crash, 21" AAX Ride, 18" HHX Evolution China) - **Snare:** Pearl Matt Greiner Signature 14x6.5" Brass - **Pedals/Hardware:** Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal, Pearl hardware - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A Matt Greiner's Pearl Masters Maple Reserve delivers the warm, resonant attack that defines August Burns Red's drum sound — maple shells that punch hard in heavy sections while retaining clarity for dynamic, jazz-influenced passages. His signature Sabian setup prioritizes versatility: the AAX line provides brightness and cut for metalcore aggression, while the HHX Evolution cymbals add complex overtones for his more textural playing. His signature brass-shell snare at 6.5" depth strikes the balance between crack and body — sharp enough for fast metalcore patterns, sensitive enough for ghost notes. The Pearl Demon Drive's direct-drive mechanism gives him the consistent, fast response his intricate kick patterns require. ### Matt Halpern Setup - **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series (15" Dark Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, 22" Transition Ride, 18" Extra Dry China) - **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14x6.5" Brass - **Pedals/Hardware:** Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal, Pearl hardware - **Sticks:** Promark Matt Halpern Signature Matt Halpern's Pearl Reference Series is one of the finest production drum kits available — premium maple/mahogany hybrid shells that deliver deep, warm tones suited to Periphery's layered, atmospheric sound. Where Greiner chooses bright Sabian cymbals to cut through metalcore's dense guitar wall, Halpern's Meinl Byzance series produces dark, complex, washy tones with rich harmonic overtones — perfectly complementing djent's polyrhythmic textures. Both players share the Pearl Demon Drive pedal, one of the most responsive direct-drive pedals in metal drumming. Halpern's custom Promark signature sticks are shaped for the precise ghost-note work that defines his playing. --- ## Style & Technique Comparison Matt Greiner has been the rhythmic architect behind August Burns Red since co-founding the band in 2003. A Grammy-nominated metalcore drummer, Greiner distinguishes himself by weaving jazz-influenced dynamics — delicate ghost notes, textural cymbal work, dynamic swells — into a genre often defined by sheer aggression. Tracks like "Meddler," "Leveler," and "King of Sorrow" showcase his ability to build metalcore intensity while introducing subtle rhythmic complexity. His jazz training gives ABR's drum tracks a musicality and dynamic range that elevates them above typical metalcore production. Matt Halpern joined Periphery and became the definitive voice of djent drumming for mainstream metal audiences. His strength lies in fusing deep, communicative groove with formidable technical precision — he plays what the song needs first, then adds layers of polyrhythmic complexity around that foundation. Halpern's ghost note mastery and nuanced hi-hat work give Periphery's dense, syncopated arrangements space to breathe. He has also built one of the most engaged drum education presences online, spreading djent technique globally through clinics and video content. Both Matts operate at the intersection of heavy and technical — Greiner channeling jazz into metalcore, Halpern channeling prog into djent. Their approaches are complementary expressions of the same impulse: making heavy music more musical without sacrificing intensity. --- ## Key Differences Cymbal philosophy is the sharpest dividing line. Greiner's Sabian AAX/HHX setup is brighter and more cutting — built to project through August Burns Red's thick, distorted guitar tones. Halpern's Meinl Byzance Series is darker and more complex — designed to blend into Periphery's layered, atmospheric sound rather than cut above it. The brightness difference alone tells you something important about each band's sonic approach. Greiner's 5A Vic Firth stick gives him standard control and cymbal definition. Halpern's custom Promark signature is shaped for the ghost note precision and sensitive response his playing demands. Both share the same Pearl Demon Drive double pedal — one of the best direct-drive options for fast, technical metal drumming — and both endorse Pearl drums at different tiers of the lineup. Greiner's Masters Maple Reserve and Halpern's Reference Series represent premium Pearl builds optimized for their respective sounds. --- ## Influence & Legacy Matt Greiner's influence on metalcore drumming is deep and ongoing. His approach to integrating jazz dynamics into heavy music expanded what metalcore drumming could express, and August Burns Red's Grammy nominations brought technical metalcore to the mainstream spotlight. His Pearl signature snare is a testament to his individual voice within the endorsement community. Matt Halpern shaped modern djent drumming more than any other player outside of Tomas Haake. Through Periphery's breakthrough albums and his prolific educational output — online lessons, clinics, YouTube content — Halpern made djent technique accessible to a global audience of drummers. His influence continues to grow through the next generation of progressive metal players he has directly taught and inspired. --- ## Verdict Matt Greiner and Matt Halpern represent two defining faces of modern heavy music drumming — Greiner's jazz-infused metalcore and Halpern's polyrhythmic djent. Both are Pearl endorsers who transcend their genres, both have Grammy-adjacent careers, and both inspire a generation of technically ambitious heavy drummers. The comparison is really about two philosophies: Greiner uses dynamics and jazz vocabulary to make metalcore more musical; Halpern uses groove and polyrhythm to make djent more human. Metal is richer for having both. --- ## FAQ **Q: Who is the better drummer, Matt Greiner or Matt Halpern?** A: Both are elite technical players who have defined their respective genres. Matt Greiner is celebrated for his jazz-influenced dynamics and Grammy-nominated metalcore work with August Burns Red. Matt Halpern is widely recognized as the defining voice of djent drumming through Periphery and his extensive educational work. Which player you prefer depends on whether you connect more with metalcore's explosive intensity or djent's polyrhythmic groove. **Q: What gear does Matt Greiner use vs Matt Halpern?** A: Matt Greiner plays Pearl Masters Maple Reserve drums with Sabian AAX/HHX cymbals, a Pearl Matt Greiner Signature Snare (14x6.5" Brass), and Pearl Demon Drive double pedals. Matt Halpern plays Pearl Reference Series drums with Meinl Byzance cymbals, a Pearl Reference 14x6.5" Brass snare, and Pearl Demon Drive double pedals. Both are Pearl endorsers using the same Demon Drive pedal. **Q: How do Matt Greiner's cymbals compare to Matt Halpern's?** A: Matt Greiner uses Sabian AAX and HHX Evolution cymbals for a bright, cutting sound that projects through August Burns Red's metalcore guitar mix. Matt Halpern uses Meinl Byzance Series cymbals for dark, complex, washy tones that blend into Periphery's layered, atmospheric djent sound. The brightness difference reflects each band's distinct sonic approach. **Q: What snare drum does Matt Greiner use compared to Matt Halpern?** A: Matt Greiner plays the Pearl Matt Greiner Signature Snare — a 14x6.5" brass shell snare that delivers warmth and crack for both metalcore aggression and ghost-note sensitivity. Matt Halpern plays a Pearl Reference 14x6.5" Brass snare at the same dimensions, optimized for the nuanced ghost note work and polyrhythmic precision that define his djent playing. **Q: Is Matt Greiner self-taught?** A: Matt Greiner has spoken publicly about incorporating formal jazz influences into his metalcore playing, drawing from jazz drumming vocabulary to add dynamic range to August Burns Red's heavy sound. He is known for bridging the gap between jazz technique and aggressive metal drumming. --- *Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/matt-greiner-vs-matt-halpern](https://metalforge.io/vs/matt-greiner-vs-matt-halpern)* *[Matt Greiner drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-greiner)* *[Matt Halpern drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-halpern)* --- *Last updated: 2026-06-25 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*