If you’re going to play metal music, you’re going to need a good snare that can handle all the blast beats and breakdowns. While most snares will do a great job, there are certain qualities that make some snare drums work better in heavy metal environments.
The majority of snares that work well in metal have metal shells instead of wood. They’re louder and more responsive to the fast playing. So, we’re going to take a deep dive into some great metal snare drums that are well-suited for metal music.
The first time I sat down behind the Gretsch Drums USA Black Nickel Over Bell Brass snare, it was evident that this wasn’t just any ordinary drum. Gretsch has always been synonymous with vintage sound and old-school character, and this snare captures that essence perfectly. With its bell brass shell, coated in a sophisticated black nickel finish, this drum offers a tonal profile that’s both robust and deeply resonant.
Digging into it, the depth of the sound was unmistakable, a roaring low end paired with a sharp, clear crack. Every backbeat felt powerful, easily slicing through the heaviest of guitar riffs I’ve played along with. Great for the metal music style.
Tuning it up a bit, I was greeted with a precise, snappy response that projected with power. Despite its clear potency in a metal setting, the warmth this bell brass emitted reminded me of the vintage rock tracks I’ve always loved.
Visually, it’s a masterpiece. The sleek black nickel not only looks stunning but also adds a touch of modernity to the drum’s nostalgic vibe. Yes, being from the esteemed Gretsch USA series, it comes with a price tag to match its prestige. But after playing it, there’s no doubt in my mind about its worth. Every hit, every rimshot it’s a joy that every drummer should experience.
The Black Beauty is a legendary snare drum from Ludwig. They don’t make many of these things, meaning they’re very scarce and in high demand. The reason this snare is so legendary is because of the buttery sound it has.
The 8” depth gives it a serious amount of power, meaning it fits extremely well into metal music. Although the snare is powerful, it shines when it comes to sensitivity. The slightest ghost notes can be heard very clearly, meaning all the notes in blast beats will be distinctly heard.
The snare is made of brass which is what gives it the power it’s so famous for. Similar to the DW Collectors Series snare, it’s very expensive. However, it’s well worth every penny you pay for it. It’s such a good snare drum!
This snare was designed by the legendary Jeff Hamilton. It’s actually a jazz snare drum that is made from mahogany wood. It sounds incredibly warm and full, lending well for expressive playing. You may be wondering why a jazz snare drum is on a list of snares for metal?
Well, it tends to work very well in studio environments. The warm and woody characteristics are easier to mix and EQ in the studio, even for metal drummers in metal bands. The snare also works well for softer and less aggressive styles of metal such as progressive metal.
The snare has all the goods from Mapex’s top drum kit lines such as the SONIClear bearing edges and the Sonic Saver hoops. Overall, it’s a great change of pace from the heavy metal shell snares that are on the rest of this list.
Before we talk about how it sounds, you just need to admire how absolutely beautiful this snare drum looks. The light brown satin finish looks so incredible on any drum kit you put this snare with. The snare has a copper shell, so the brown copper color matches the design exceptionally well.
Moving onto the sound, the Starphonic Copper snare is a truly unique entity. No other snare drum sounds like it. It boasts a throaty dark tone that fits perfectly into metal music. The roar it bellows when you hit the center of the snare echoes through the mix, creating a powerful backbeat.
It’s not the most versatile snare drum in the world. That throaty dark tone sounds a bit weird in many situations. So, it’s purely a snare that does a specific job very well. That job is to add complex and dark depth to your drum sound.
The snare is pretty ‘in your face’ when you hit it. However, it gets out the way quickly thanks to the short sustain. If you need some complexity added to your drum setup, this is the snare drum to get.
Matt Halpern is one of the best progressive metal drummers in the world. His drumming in Periphery is iconic and the source of inspiration to many aspiring metal drummers. So, his signature snare drum is one to definitely check out.
The snare is made of brass and it has an incredibly bold sound. The tones are fairly complex, representing Matt Halpern’s complex playing style. You can tune the snare high to have it cracking or you can tune it low to have it booming. Both tunings sound excellent.
The hardware on the snare is fairly upper-tier. The snare has Pearl’s low-mass swivel lugs, allowing the drum to vibrate freely. It also has the MasterCast hoops, giving the drum a seriously strong attacking tone. Rimshots sound absolutely killer.
The snare strainer uses a clicking mechanism, giving you peace of mind when turning the snare on and off. Overall, it’s a great snare to have for all the Matt Halpern fans out there. There are many of them.
A great snare drum should be highly responsive. There are so many dynamics that you can play on a snare, so the snare needs to be able to accurately reflect everything you put into it.
When thinking about metal music specifically, the snare should be loud enough to cut through all the distorted guitars and screaming vocals. The louder the snare, the better it is. A great snare should also sound really good no matter how high or low you have tuned it.
Snare drums will only sound metallic if the shell is made from metal. Most drums, including snares, have wooden shells. They use woods like maple, birch, and mahogany to make drums.
Sometimes drum manufacturers will make snares that are made out of metal instead of wood. These snares are generally louder and have more high-end tones, causing them to sound more metallic.
The answer to this is highly subjective. There are so many great snare drums available and they all offer unique qualities, sounds, and features. The DW Collectors Series snare drums are extremely popular. They have excellent tones and versatile uses.
Another highly popular snare drum is the Ludwig Supraphonic. It’s been one of the most popular snare drums in the world for decades.
Steel snare drums are loud. If you need a loud snare drum for a loud band, then a steel snare drum is great. If you’re playing in a church and need to keep the drum noise down, a steel snare won’t be the best option.
This means that steel snare drums are good. You just won’t be able to use them in certain situations.
Any snare drum that is made from metal will be louder than one that has a wooden shell. There are so many metal snare drums on the market, all of them being loud. However, one that is particularly loud is the Pearl SensiTone Brass snare. That thing is a monster.
Any snare drum that has an acrylic shell will also be louder than all the others.
For metal music, a snare that can handle the aggressive nature of the genre and deliver a sharp, loud, and cutting sound is essential. Typically, snares with metal shells, such as brass, steel, or titanium are preferred for metal because of their responsiveness and volume.
They can handle rapid-fire blast beats and breakdowns while ensuring that every stroke cuts through the dense mix of guitars and vocals. The depth and size of the drum can also play a role.
Deeper snares tend to offer more body and low-end punch, which can be beneficial in heavier music styles. Additionally, the choice of drumheads and the drum’s tuning can make a significant difference in its performance in a metal setting.
For metal music, drummers typically look for drumheads that offer durability, attack, and controlled sustain due to the aggressive and fast-paced nature of the genre. Here are some of the best drumheads for metal:
In addition to selecting the right drumheads, tuning them correctly is crucial in achieving the desired sound. Metal drummers often opt for tighter tunings on the snare for a more pronounced crack, while toms might be tuned slightly lower for a punchy, powerful attack.
Lastly, since metal drumming can be quite aggressive, frequent head changes or using drumhead protectors might be necessary to prolong the life of the drumheads.
The snare drum is the drum that you play most on the kit. It’s important that you get a good one that you love. You’ll be hearing it a lot. Many drummers choose to upgrade their snare before any other drum or cymbal on their kit. Perhaps your next snare upgrade will be one of the products from the above list.
Every one of these snare drums works fantastically within metal songs. They cut nicely through mixes and they handle fast blast beats exceptionally well.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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