- Learn which brands make the best drum kits for metal
- Find a perfect set for a metal drummer on any budget
- Explore a variety of kits designed to fit different playing styles
- Also, check out our post on the best hi-hats for metal!
Metal is among the most intricate and nuanced genres of music. Every note must be played deliberately on each instrument, especially for drums, since they’re meant to be played far more aggressively than in any other style.
This means that a metal drummer needs a reliable, sturdy kit to rely on, but the prerequisites do not stop there. You should search for a kit with the right tone, response, attack, and feel.
To help your search, I’ve reviewed some of the finest drum sets from the world’s best drum makers, such as Tama, Ludwig, Sawtooth, Mapex, and Pearl.
What Are The Best Drum Sets For Metal?
The “best” drum set for metal is the kit that suits your playing style and will play to your strengths as an individual. It would be pointless to buy, for example, Mapex Armory if you rarely blast beats or smash the snare with all your might with each stroke.
However, this particular drum kit is ideal for gigging drummers who need a reliable set that won’t move or break even if it’s played every night.
Regarding value and versatility, not many drum sets can come close to Tama’s Imperialstar. While some may call it a starter’s drum set, it’s among the best-sounding, best-rounded kits that belong in a far higher price range.
As tastes and preferences differ, I created a list of 5 best drum sets for metal drummers, which includes:
- TAMA Imperialstar (Our Pick)
- Sawtooth Command (Best Budget)
- Ludwig Vistalite (Best Premium)
- Pearl Masters Maple Complete (Best For Recording Metal Artists)
- Mapex AR628SFUFG (Best For Gigging Drummers)
1. TAMA Imperialstar with Meinl Cymbals (Our Pick)
Both professional and greenhorn drummers in the metal world praise TAMA as the ultimate drum parts and kits manufacturer.
Since it specializes in making boutique sets for pros and custom signature sets for its endorsees, some of the most prominent being the legendary Lars Ulrich and Mike Portnoy, you’d probably never guess that one of the most critically acclaimed sets in its catalog is a reasonably affordable one.
In simplest terms, TAMA’s Imperialstar is a relatively cheap set that can outperform dozens of high-end models.
Valuing simplicity and power, Imperialstar will give you a highly controllable tone, a surprisingly high level of durability, and top-tier hardware, all packed in a portable 5-piece kit.
Key Features:
- 22×16 bass drum
- 10×8 and 12×9-inch tom drums
- 14×12-inch floor tom
- 13×5-inch snare
- Poplar shells
TAMA’s Imperialstar is partly to “blame” for the soaring popularity of metal worldwide. Enabling drummers to sound like their idols without breaking the buck, Imperialstar has many advanced features that you’ll rarely see in similarly-priced models.
First of all, let’s briefly discuss its specs. Imperialstar is a perfectly-sized 5-piece drum kit equipped with poplar shells. Although this may not be the first choice of material for a world-class drum set, poplar works like a charm to complement the versatility of this kit.
Decent attack and durability blend well with Imperialstar’s moderate sustain and highly controllable tone. All of its components are a bit smaller than average, but they boast a surprisingly strong volume level due to TAMA’s ingenuity.
One of the main reasons this is one of the most beloved metal drum sets is that it’s truly “complete.” You’ll get Meinl’s HCS 14-inch hi-hat, 16-inch crash, and 20-inch ride, as well as L-rod & omnisphere holders in the bundle.
Pros
- Everything you need to play right out of the box
- Can endure long roads and will sound great for decades with minimal maintenance.
- Equipped with high-quality tom holders and three cymbals
- Controllable and surprisingly loud sound
- Versatile tone with moderate sustain
Cons
- Can’t compete with heavy hitters in arenas and larger venues
- Poplar shells are somewhat unimpressive in terms of sound quality
2. Sawtooth Command Series 5-Piece Drum Set (Best Budget)
Drums are among the most expensive of instruments, not including the violin, the piano, and a handful of others. Even though there are dozens of cheap kits around, most of them are quite flimsy and sound like kitchen pots and pans.
The story with Sawtooth Drums is the polar opposite of that. Their Command Series models are exceptionally sturdy, and even though they’re considerably smaller than average, these drum sets can dish out some amazing sounds.
As with all low-end drum kits, there is a small catch – the Command Series 5-piece drum kit does not feature a single cymbal. It was meant to give emerging drummers a good foundation and serve as a backup set for smaller gigs or shorter tours.
Key Features:
- 22×18-inch bass drum
- 12×9 and 13×10-inch tom drums
- 16×16-inch floor tom
- 14×5.5-inch snare
- Poplar shells
Sawtooth Command is a 5-piece drum kit comprised of two-floor toms, a large bass drum, a deep snare, and two differently-sized tom-toms. It offers variety at a shallow learning curve and boasts a robust 6-ply poplar construction, but it’s easy to overlook because it lacks several hardware components and cymbals.
Why would you consider Sawtooth’s Command over Imperialstar? Even though you won’t get Meinl’s cymbals or Tama’s tom holders, you will get larger and deeper drum parts that pack a more potent punch.
Sawtooth’s 5-piece drum set also rocks coated batter heads that provide better sustain while improving their resistance to wear. Furthermore, if you’re keen on driving the double bass pedal hard as you play, you’ll never have to worry about the bass drum moving too far since this drum set is equipped with telescopic spurs.
The Sawtooth Command 5-piece kit stands out as one of the best budget drum sets for metal because it offers a more balanced performance without compromising sound quality or sturdiness.
Pros
- High durability for poplar shell packs
- Excellent drum hoops and spurs
- Coated heads for extra sturdiness and wear resistance
- Deep, controllable tone
- Affordable
Cons
- The kit does not include cymbals and tom mounts
3. Ludwig Vistalite (Best Premium)
As a company that’s been running for well over a century, Ludwig is one of the longest-standing drum makers in the world.
A little fun fact and homage to the band that laid the foundation for metal, Ludwig rose to prominence by endorsing none other than the legendary Ringo Starr from The Beatles.
Fast-forward to today, Ludwig is massive and sought by metal drummers for its unparalleled quality products. The Vistalite kit was released in 1972; the brand relaunched it last year to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Key Features:
- 26×14-inch bass drum
- 10×14-inch tom drums
- 16×18 and 16×16-inch floor tom
- 14×6.5-inch snare
- Acrylic shells
Ludwig’s Vistalite kit can best be described as a vintage powerhouse. This 5-piece kit has one of the most uniquely-sounding snares ever made, which perfectly blends in with the massive tone of the oversized bass drum.
Vistalite is all about old-school sounds, meaning that it’s the ultimate kit for metal drummers that are shooting for the ‘80s or ‘90s death or thrash vibe.
I think it would be a waste to set it up in a recording studio only to trigger it with effects, so if you’re more into contemporary “super-polished” drum production, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on Vistalite.
Fortunately, the hefty price tag is the only drawback of this drum set. It was built to last decades, even when played daily; it was built with versatility in mind, empowering metal drummers with quality sound regardless of which sub-genre they specialize in.
Most importantly, Ludwig’s Vistalite packs over-the-top hardware. Its components can be fine-tuned to perfection and “stay” in tune once the setup is done.
If you’re looking for the best drums for metal music in the current market, I recommend that you start saving up for Vistalite.
Pros
- Super-snappy toms and a gritty kick sound
- Unrivaled durability and arguably one of the best drum sets you can have on a long tour
- Excellent versatility makes it suitable for all sub-genres of metal
- Equipped with some of the finest hardware available in the contemporary market
Cons
- Very expensive
4. Pearl Masters Maple Complete (Best for Recording Metal Artists)
From KISS and Deep Purple to Korn, and Dream Theater, Pearl has supplied top-tier drums to some infamous musicians for almost 80 years.
From the progenitors of rock & roll to the most innovative metalheads alive, the drums in some of the most groundbreaking metal tracks were recorded on a Pearl kit.
If you’re wondering why session musicians and recording drummers love this brand so much, the answer is “precision.”
Pearl drum sets are made in Japanese factories equipped with cutting-edge tools; each kit is engineered with surgical accuracy, and as a result, these drum sets offer superiorly consistent performance.
The Masters Maple drum set came out a few decades ago, but it is still one of the most popular choices for professional recording drummers.
Key Features:
- 22×18-inch bass drum
- 7×10 and 8×12-inch tom drums
- 16×16-inch floor tom
- Maple shells
This drum set is a 4-piece comprised of evenly balanced toms and a kick drum, giving you a perfect foundation to customize when entering a studio. The all-maple construction brings out the full sonic range of each part, reducing the amount of EQ needed for a perfect track.
That being said, Pearl’s Masters Maple drum set is extremely popular among bands who invest a lot of effort in their live albums. No amount of post-processing can keep the sound of drums truly clean, but you won’t need to if you’re using a full maple set.
Compared to Imperialstar and Sawtooth’s Command, the Masters Maple kit offers a similar level of versatility but excels in nearly all fields of performance – attack, sustain, precision, you name it.
Although it isn’t as expensive as Vistalite, this drum set is far from cheap. As a silver lining, that’s the only drawback that will rarely dissuade professional recording artists from choosing the Masters Maple Complete drum kit.
Pros
- Outstanding sonic versatility
- Engineered with pinpoint accuracy, each stroke provides an authentic response and tone
- Built of premium quality maple materials
- Weighs about only 30 pounds
Cons
- Does not include a snare
5. Mapex Armory AR628SFUFG (Best for Gigging Drummers)
As one of the youngest Japanese drum makers, Mapex made a name for itself by introducing mid-range kits that could rival the performance of far more expensive sets.
From Voyager and Horizon to the acclaimed Armory and Black Panther, this brand came to give rock and metal drummers budget-friendly alternatives to boutique drum kits.
The Armory series is yet to turn 10 years, and it’s quickly gaining popularity among drummers who perform every (or every other) night.
Not only is this drum set extremely durable, but it is also quite affordable, so purchasing replacement parts shouldn’t be an issue even for beginners.
Key Features:
- 22×18-inch bass drum
- 7×10 and 8×12-inch tom drums
- 12×14 and 14×16-inch floor tom
- 14×5.5-inch snare
- Available in maple and birch shell variants
A deep, prominent bass, oversized floor toms, and a perfectly balanced snare are some of the reasons you’ll see a Mapex Armory behind the band you’re watching on most of the metal shows you go to.
These drums can be very loud, but even when barraged with heavy drumsticks, they’ll endure the evening and live to serve at least a dozen more. Impeccable durability is one of the most vital points of Mapex Armory, hence the name.
This drum kit comes in maple and birch shell variants, although I recommend the former. Birch is a decent drum wood, but it puts a bit too strong of an accent on the lower frequencies, stifling the rest of the band.
Pros
- Outstandingly robust
- Full-bodied tone with an even emphasis on all sonic frequencies
- Loud kick drum and toms
- Fairly affordable for a mid-tier drum kit
Cons
- Very bulky and heavy, relatively difficult to transport
Wrapping Up
The five kits I’ve covered in the sections above are distinctly different. If you’re looking for an all-rounder, you won’t make a mistake with the Imperialstar.
Sawtooth’s Command is an ideal choice for people on a budget, as it’s among the best-performing kits in the low-end price range.
Ludwig’s Vistalite costs an arm and a leg, but it’s the ultimate kit for drummers into old-school death, thrash, black, and heavy metal.
Pearl won’t let a session or recording drummer down on any occasion, while Mapex’s Armory is best for heavy hitters who break kits too often.
After reading these reviews, I’m confident you’ll find a drum set that will cater to your needs and preferences.
Before you go, check out our guide to the 5 Best Drum Sets for Beginners!
