Lars Ulrich vs Charlie Benante — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Lars Ulrich (Metallica) vs Charlie Benante (Anthrax / S.O.D. / Pantera). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Lars Ulrich use?
Lars Ulrich uses Tama Starclassic Maple with Zildjian A Custom Series (14" Dyno Beat Hi-Hats, 16", 17" & 18" Rock Crashes, 20" Z Custom China, 22" Ride). Lars Ulrich plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with his signature Tama LU1465 14x6.5" snare, Zildjian A Custom Series cymbals (14" Dyno Beat Hi-Hats, 16", 17" & 18" Rock Crashes, 20" Z Custom China, 22" Ride), a Tama Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide double pedal, and Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature aluminum sticks. Charlie Benante plays a Tama Starclassic kit with his signature Tama Charlie Benante 14x6.5" snare, Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series cymbals (14" Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Crashes, 20" Power Ride, 18" China), a Tama Speed Cobra double pedal with Roland electronic triggers, and Vic Firth Charlie Benante Signature sticks. Both players endorse Tama drums — a shared choice reflecting Tama's dominance across 1980s thrash metal — but their cymbal choices diverge sharply: Zildjian's bright, musical A Custom line for Ulrich versus Paiste's aggressive, durability-focused RUDE series for Benante.
What drum kit does Charlie Benante use?
Charlie Benante uses Tama Starclassic with Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series (14" Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Crashes, 20" Power Ride, 18" China). Lars Ulrich plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with his signature Tama LU1465 14x6.5" snare, Zildjian A Custom Series cymbals (14" Dyno Beat Hi-Hats, 16", 17" & 18" Rock Crashes, 20" Z Custom China, 22" Ride), a Tama Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide double pedal, and Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature aluminum sticks. Charlie Benante plays a Tama Starclassic kit with his signature Tama Charlie Benante 14x6.5" snare, Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series cymbals (14" Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Crashes, 20" Power Ride, 18" China), a Tama Speed Cobra double pedal with Roland electronic triggers, and Vic Firth Charlie Benante Signature sticks. Both players endorse Tama drums — a shared choice reflecting Tama's dominance across 1980s thrash metal — but their cymbal choices diverge sharply: Zildjian's bright, musical A Custom line for Ulrich versus Paiste's aggressive, durability-focused RUDE series for Benante.
Which is better, Lars Ulrich or Charlie Benante?
Lars Ulrich and Charlie Benante represent the Big Four's two defining approaches to thrash drumming. Ulrich prioritized songwriting feel and groove, driving Metallica to become the genre's most commercially successful act. Benante prioritized technical velocity and hardcore-informed aggression, pushing Anthrax and thrash itself toward faster, more demanding territory. The "best Big Four drummer" debate ultimately comes down to what you value more: Ulrich's stadium-filling instinct for what a riff needs, or Benante's technical ceiling and speed.