10 Reviews: Best Cymbals for Rock and Metal (May 2023)

This Zildjian A-391 Cymbal Package now includes some of the most popular Zildjian A Series Cymbals and Hi-Hats, as well as a variety of other accessories. The set includes a 21in Sweet Ride with medium overtones and maximum utility, a pair of traditional 14in New Beat Hi-Hats, a 16in Medium Thin Crash and an 18in Medium Thin Crash, as well as a pair of 14in New Beat Hi-Hats with maximum utility. This Avedis Zildjian Set of Drum Set Cymbals will be a favorite of yours.

It has a robust chick sound with a big open wash. They produce a tremendous crash sound that goes away musically. The 16” trash crash has a big blast and a fast decline. The 20” medium ride has excellent projection and a loud bell sound. The 18” china has a trash crash that suits metal. 3 splash cymbals round out this cymbal bundle. An 8” bell with a long ringing tone is included, great for playing shortly before a breakdown. 10” and 12” splashes. Both generate a sharp tone that fades.

After going round and round with all the cymbal sets that are out there I went with these. What can I say about this set. So bright. So pretty. So many different styles of playability. The trash cymbals are so responsive that they have become my new favorites. The bell is amazing. I was happy with all of them. The China was not exactly what I was looking for, but I ended up buying the 18” China trash and that was exactly the sound I was looking for. A very solid set of cymbals. Worth the money. Shipped well.

by Scrumble Simperbunchston the III

This series is much less expensive than HHX or Artisan. But this series can be called as one of the best cymbal lineup, it’s towards the top. With cheaper price the sound quality is comparable to the HHX Series. The AAX series is used by some of the world’s greatest and most successful drummers. The majority of these men are rock musicians. They’re comparable to A custom in that they’re bright, contemporary, and adaptable.

I'm a beginner at drumming and coming out of some cheap brass cymbals into B8 was quite a change. After almost a month with them, I'm still training my ears to the new sound, which don't get me wrong, sounds much better, they also sound much different. I'm convinced this is a step in the right direction but if you're coming out of brass cymbals you will need to get used to this sound. All that said, the cymbals are well made. They came with some scratches here and there but nothing serious nor affecting anything. They are thin but solid. So far, I like my purchase and would recommend them very much.

by Jose Guay

These cymbals are really affordable. They provide rounded, useful tones that cut through the song without sounding harsh or ‘zingy,’ as inexpensive cymbals may. However, since they’re lighter than others, they won’t produce a lot of volume if you’re trying to compete with loud guitarists in a live setting. These are an excellent alternative for someone wishing to upgrade from their first set of cymbals, or if you’re on a budget and want something to get you started.

We bought this per the suggestion of my daughter's drums instructor. My daughter has now started using this set and we can tell right away that it's definitely way better quality than what came with our beginner drums set. Very happy with the quality & sound Thank you so much! We are a happy customer!

by yome

The high-end cymbals from Zildjian attempt to blend the best of both worlds: the dark, somewhat trashy sound of the K line and the bright, cutting tones of the A custom series. These cymbals sound terrific and are a great alternative to the bright, sparkly cymbals that are so popular in Metal music. The addition of mastersound hi-hats is also a welcome addition.

As a portable church, we bring in different drummers with their own gear. One drastic inconsistency was their cymbals and the tones from them. For worship, we did some research, sought the advice of our drummers (many of which are professional-level musicians). We landed on this solution. For the money and simplicity of a pack for worship in an environment that needs some sound control, these are PERFECT and have greatly benefitted our overall​ sound in worship.

by Kevin

These Meinl cymbals are not only inexpensive, but they also sound great thanks to their strongly battered black finish. Meinl’s Mb10 and 20 lines have a solid reputation in the field of extreme music, with characteristics that have trickled down into their more cheap Classics Custom series. For a very low price, you’ll receive a complete set of cymbals (including TWO crashes) that are ideal for an aspiring Metalhead to begin their drumming career.

These cymbals sound good for the money , I have been playing drums for 57 Years i started when i was 10 years old I have 5 different sets of cymbals that cost me $$$$ i like these for the look but they good for rock & roll kind of like my K Zildjian set but cheaper !

by BRUCE ROZAK

It was created specifically for rock and offers the finest of both worlds. Nowadays, rockers use cymbals with a dazzling polish that are more contemporary. Paiste retained its place on the market for old school, vintage rock cymbals in that brutal environment. The sound is absolutely one-of-a-kind. Every cymbal maker creates a series with the goal of duplicating that sound, but only Paiste succeeds.

I've had these for a while and I bought them again because I wanted another one. Great power, great response, long sustain and quite versatile considering they lean more towards the rock side. Would recommend them any time. If you're into Bonzo and really want that strong, rock, Led Zeppelin feel, you HAVE to get these.

by Valery Ways

They’re nearly weird in comparison to other cymbals. The assault is massive, the pitch is low, and the hold is brief. They are not flexible, but they are created specifically for heavy music, making them one of the greatest cymbals for severe music. Their cut-through guitar distortion is reminiscent of Mike Tayson’s hits: fast, forceful, and memorable. These aren’t modern-sounding cymbals or old-school-sounding cymbals; they’re simply excessive on every level. You’ll see what I’m talking about if you pay attention to the individuals that play them.

The sound is vibrant and contemporary, and the superb finish adds to the overall impact. They manage to burst through guitar distortion while remaining out of the way with this sort of sound. Due of their loudness and low frequency, certain cymbals may wreak havoc. With Zildjian A Custom, this is not the case. They always make a lovely sound, no matter how hard you smash them.

Outstanding quality cymbal, especially with rock music. Nice, bright tone with great sustain and attack. I wanted to use a couple of the Zildjian Custom "A"'s in my set up up because I have a set of Zildjian "K" Sweets and this gives me another sound option. You can't go wrong with these cymbals and they will fit with most styles of music.

by Mark Davies

It has a controlled sharp tone. It’s sensitive to touch but best heard medium or loud. Possibly the fastest decay on a 20″ crash cymbal. No matter how hard you strike it, it will never become overpowering. It features a bell for playing blast beats. The bell’s loud ping cuts through mixes. For a metal drummer, this crash cymbal projects incredibly effectively. The vivid red finish isn’t for everyone.

Absolutely LOVE these cymbals - and the sound is excellent. A little dark, not too much sustain and fingerprints don't hurt! This is a HEAVY cymbal, so the harder you hit, the better the sound!!! Lay into them, don't be afraid, the color won't crack or chip!

by David W. Wilbert