Most-Used Drum & Cymbal Brands in Metal: An Analysis of 72 Verified Kits | MetalForge
A data-driven breakdown of which drum, cymbal, snare, stick, and pedal brands metal’s professional drummers actually play, counted across the 72 drummers documented on MetalForge.
Drum Kits — Brand Usage
| Rank | Brand | Drummers | % of 72 | Who plays it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | 22 | 30.6% | Joey Jordison, Gene Hoglan, George Kollias, Ray Luzier, Matt Halpern, Inferno, Alex Bent, Nick Augusto, Flo Mounier, Ryan Van Poederooyen, Aquiles Priester, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Mike Mangini, Daniel Erlandsson, Jaska Raatikainen, Daray, Jocke Wallgren, Kevin Talley, Paul Bostaph, Jimmy DeGrasso, John Longstreth, Waltteri Väyrynen |
| 2 | Tama | 21 | 29.2% | Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, Eloy Casagrande, Charlie Benante, Mike Portnoy, Mario Duplantier, Brann Dailor, Raymond Herrera, Igor Cavalera, Blake Richardson, Ben Koller, Chris Turner, Derek Roddy, Dirk Verbeuren, Richard Christy, Matt Garstka, Tim Yeung, Sean Reinert, Nick Menza, Adrian Erlandsson, Alex Rüdinger |
| 3 | Sonor | 9 | 12.5% | Tomas Haake, Danny Carey, Hellhammer, Morgan Ågren, Nicko McBrain, Frost, Gavin Harrison, Martin Axenrot, Nick Barker |
| 4 | ddrum | 4 | 5.6% | Vinnie Paul, Pete Sandoval, Shannon Larkin, Scott Travis |
| 5 | Mapex | 4 | 5.6% | Chris Adler, Arin Ilejay, Matt Greiner, Jason Bittner |
| 6 | SJC | 4 | 5.6% | Jay Weinberg, Travis Orbin, Abe Cunningham, Isaac Lamb |
| 7 | Ludwig | 3 | 4.2% | Art Cruz, Bill Ward, Jon Dette |
| 8 | DW | 2 | 2.8% | Navene Koperweis, Hannes Grossmann |
| 9 | Noble & Cooley | 1 | 1.4% | Martin Lopez |
| 10 | OCDP | 1 | 1.4% | John Otto |
| 11 | Yamaha | 1 | 1.4% | Mikkey Dee |
Cymbals — Brand Usage
| Rank | Brand | Drummers | % of 72 | Who plays it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zildjian | 23 | 31.9% | Lars Ulrich, George Kollias, John Otto, Jay Weinberg, Mario Duplantier, Art Cruz, Arin Ilejay, Alex Bent, Raymond Herrera, Ben Koller, Jason Bittner, Martin Lopez, Travis Orbin, Mikkey Dee, Dirk Verbeuren, Frost, Gavin Harrison, Abe Cunningham, Jaska Raatikainen, Jocke Wallgren, Sean Reinert, Nick Menza, Jon Dette |
| 2 | Sabian | 22 | 30.6% | Gene Hoglan, Tomas Haake, Ray Luzier, Vinnie Paul, Mike Portnoy, Pete Sandoval, Shannon Larkin, Nick Augusto, Blake Richardson, Flo Mounier, Ryan Van Poederooyen, Richard Christy, Aquiles Priester, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Mike Mangini, Tim Yeung, Kevin Talley, Paul Bostaph, Adrian Erlandsson, Jon Dette, Jimmy DeGrasso, Waltteri Väyrynen |
| 3 | Paiste | 15 | 20.8% | Joey Jordison, Dave Lombardo, Eloy Casagrande, Charlie Benante, Danny Carey, Inferno, Hellhammer, Morgan Ågren, Igor Cavalera, Bill Ward, Matt Greiner, Nicko McBrain, Scott Travis, Daniel Erlandsson, Daray |
| 4 | Meinl | 12 | 16.7% | Brann Dailor, Chris Adler, Matt Halpern, Navene Koperweis, Chris Turner, Derek Roddy, Matt Garstka, Hannes Grossmann, Isaac Lamb, Martin Axenrot, Alex Rüdinger, John Longstreth |
Snares — Brand Usage
| Rank | Brand | Drummers | % of 72 | Who plays it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tama | 21 | 29.2% | Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, Eloy Casagrande, Charlie Benante, Mike Portnoy, Mario Duplantier, Brann Dailor, Raymond Herrera, Igor Cavalera, Blake Richardson, Ben Koller, Chris Turner, Derek Roddy, Dirk Verbeuren, Richard Christy, Matt Garstka, Tim Yeung, Sean Reinert, Nick Menza, Adrian Erlandsson, Alex Rüdinger |
| 2 | Pearl | 20 | 27.8% | Joey Jordison, Gene Hoglan, George Kollias, Ray Luzier, Matt Halpern, Inferno, Alex Bent, Nick Augusto, Flo Mounier, Ryan Van Poederooyen, Aquiles Priester, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Mike Mangini, Daniel Erlandsson, Jaska Raatikainen, Daray, Jocke Wallgren, Kevin Talley, Paul Bostaph, Jimmy DeGrasso |
| 3 | Sonor | 8 | 11.1% | Tomas Haake, Danny Carey, Hellhammer, Morgan Ågren, Nicko McBrain, Frost, Gavin Harrison, Martin Axenrot |
| 4 | ddrum | 4 | 5.6% | Vinnie Paul, Pete Sandoval, Shannon Larkin, Scott Travis |
| 5 | Mapex | 4 | 5.6% | Chris Adler, Arin Ilejay, Matt Greiner, Jason Bittner |
| 6 | SJC | 4 | 5.6% | Jay Weinberg, Travis Orbin, Abe Cunningham, Isaac Lamb |
| 7 | DW | 2 | 2.8% | Navene Koperweis, Hannes Grossmann |
| 8 | Ludwig | 2 | 2.8% | Art Cruz, Bill Ward |
| 9 | Noble & Cooley | 1 | 1.4% | Martin Lopez |
| 10 | OCDP | 1 | 1.4% | John Otto |
| 11 | Yamaha | 1 | 1.4% | Mikkey Dee |
Sticks — Brand Usage
| Rank | Brand | Drummers | % of 72 | Who plays it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vic Firth | 44 | 61.1% | George Kollias, Ray Luzier, Vinnie Paul, Charlie Benante, Danny Carey, Inferno, Hellhammer, Art Cruz, Arin Ilejay, Navene Koperweis, Alex Bent, Shannon Larkin, Morgan Ågren, Igor Cavalera, Bill Ward, Nick Augusto, Matt Greiner, Blake Richardson, Ben Koller, Flo Mounier, Ryan Van Poederooyen, Martin Lopez, Travis Orbin, Chris Turner, Nicko McBrain, Scott Travis, Frost, Gavin Harrison, Abe Cunningham, Richard Christy, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Matt Garstka, Daniel Erlandsson, Jaska Raatikainen, Hannes Grossmann, Daray, Jocke Wallgren, Tim Yeung, Kevin Talley, Isaac Lamb, Martin Axenrot, Sean Reinert, Nick Menza, Adrian Erlandsson |
| 2 | Promark | 13 | 18.1% | Joey Jordison, Gene Hoglan, Dave Lombardo, Eloy Casagrande, Mike Portnoy, Chris Adler, Matt Halpern, Pete Sandoval, Raymond Herrera, Jason Bittner, Aquiles Priester, Jon Dette, Jimmy DeGrasso |
| 3 | Vater | 6 | 8.3% | Jay Weinberg, Brann Dailor, Derek Roddy, Mike Mangini, Paul Bostaph, Jon Dette |
| 4 | Wincent | 3 | 4.2% | Tomas Haake, Mikkey Dee, Waltteri Väyrynen |
| 5 | Tama | 2 | 2.8% | Mario Duplantier, Dirk Verbeuren |
| 6 | Ahead | 1 | 1.4% | Lars Ulrich |
| 7 | Zildjian | 1 | 1.4% | John Otto |
Pedals — Brand Usage
| Rank | Brand | Drummers | % of 72 | Who plays it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tama | 20 | 27.8% | Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, Tomas Haake, Eloy Casagrande, Charlie Benante, Mike Portnoy, Mario Duplantier, Brann Dailor, Igor Cavalera, Blake Richardson, Ben Koller, Chris Turner, Derek Roddy, Dirk Verbeuren, Richard Christy, Matt Garstka, Tim Yeung, Martin Axenrot, Jon Dette, Alex Rüdinger |
| 2 | Pearl | 16 | 22.2% | Joey Jordison, Gene Hoglan, George Kollias, Matt Halpern, Nick Augusto, Flo Mounier, Ryan Van Poederooyen, Aquiles Priester, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Mike Mangini, Daniel Erlandsson, Jaska Raatikainen, Daray, Jocke Wallgren, Kevin Talley, Paul Bostaph |
| 3 | DW | 14 | 19.4% | Ray Luzier, Jay Weinberg, Navene Koperweis, Shannon Larkin, Raymond Herrera, Matt Greiner, Travis Orbin, Scott Travis, Abe Cunningham, Hannes Grossmann, Isaac Lamb, Sean Reinert, Nick Menza, Jon Dette |
| 4 | Sonor | 4 | 5.6% | Danny Carey, Morgan Ågren, Frost, Gavin Harrison |
| 5 | Axis | 3 | 4.2% | Hellhammer, Alex Bent, Martin Lopez |
| 6 | Mapex | 3 | 4.2% | Chris Adler, Arin Ilejay, Jason Bittner |
| 7 | Czarcie Kopyto | 2 | 2.8% | Inferno, Adrian Erlandsson |
| 8 | ddrum | 2 | 2.8% | Vinnie Paul, Pete Sandoval |
| 9 | Gibraltar | 1 | 1.4% | John Otto |
| 10 | Ludwig | 1 | 1.4% | Bill Ward |
| 11 | Trick | 1 | 1.4% | Art Cruz |
| 12 | Yamaha | 1 | 1.4% | Mikkey Dee |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which drum brand is most used by metal drummers?
Pearl is the most-used drum kit brand among metal drummers, played by 22 of the 72 drummers documented on MetalForge (30.6%).
Metal Drummers Who Use This Gear
- Joey Jordison (Slipknot)
- Gene Hoglan (Death / Testament / Dethklok)
- George Kollias (Nile)
- Ray Luzier (Korn)
- Matt Halpern (Periphery)
- Inferno (Behemoth)
- Alex Bent (ex-Trivium / Arkaik / Dragonlord)
- Nick Augusto (ex-Trivium)
- Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy)
- Ryan Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project)
- Aquiles Priester (Angra / W.A.S.P.)
- Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse)
- Mike Mangini (Dream Theater)
- Daniel Erlandsson (Arch Enemy)
- Jaska Raatikainen (Children of Bodom)
- Daray (Dimmu Borgir / Vader)
- Jocke Wallgren (Amon Amarth)
- Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus / Misery Index / Six Feet Under)
- Paul Bostaph (Slayer)
- Jimmy DeGrasso (Megadeth)
- John Longstreth (Origin)
- Waltteri Väyrynen (Opeth)
- Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
- John Otto (Limp Bizkit)
- Jay Weinberg (Suicidal Tendencies)
- Mario Duplantier (Gojira)
- Art Cruz (Lamb of God)
- Arin Ilejay (ex-Avenged Sevenfold)
- Raymond Herrera (Fear Factory / Arkaea / Brujeria)
- Ben Koller (Converge / Mutoid Man / Killer Be Killed)
- Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall / Overkill / Category 7)
- Martin Lopez (Soen / ex-Opeth)
- Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour / ex-Periphery)
- Mikkey Dee (Scorpions / Motörhead)
- Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth)
- Frost (Satyricon / 1349)
- Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree / King Crimson)
- Abe Cunningham (Deftones)
- Sean Reinert (Death / Cynic)
- Nick Menza (Megadeth)
- Jon Dette (Slayer)
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer)
- Eloy Casagrande (Slipknot)
- Charlie Benante (Anthrax / S.O.D. / Pantera)
- Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater / Liquid Tension Experiment / The Winery Dogs)
- Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
- Igor Cavalera (Sepultura / Cavalera Conspiracy / Soulwax)
- Blake Richardson (Between the Buried and Me)
- Chris Turner (Oceans Ate Alaska)
- Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal / Nile)
- Richard Christy (Death / Iced Earth)
- Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders)
- Tim Yeung (Morbid Angel / Hate Eternal / Vital Remains)
- Adrian Erlandsson (At the Gates)
- Alex Rüdinger (The Faceless)
- Vinnie Paul (Pantera / Damageplan / Hellyeah)
- Danny Carey (Tool)
- Hellhammer (Mayhem)
- Navene Koperweis (Entheos / ex-Animals as Leaders)
- Shannon Larkin (Godsmack / Ugly Kid Joe / Amen)
- Morgan Ågren (Mats/Morgan Band / Kaipa / Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects)
- Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)
- Matt Greiner (August Burns Red)
- Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
- Scott Travis (Judas Priest)
- Hannes Grossmann (Obscura / ex-Necrophagist / Alkaloid)
- Isaac Lamb (Kublai Khan TX)
- Martin Axenrot (Opeth)
- Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)