Mike Portnoy, Joey Jordison, and Dave Lombardo — what do these three legendary drummers have in common? Skill isn’t the only correct answer. In addition to years of meticulous practice, all three performers bore formidable percussive setups. Punch, delivery, accuracy, and speed are all essential characteristics of metal drumming, and each requires representation to manufacture a signature hard-rock tone. While these artists may have been masters of their builds, most players still struggle to choose specific equipment to supplement their rigs. There are so many snare, tom, cymbal, and bass options out there that the process can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
Sweetwater offers several shell and drum sets to cut the confusion and get straight to playing. We asked our most esteemed drummers at Sweetwater about their favorite metal-inspired rigs to ensure that each kit is well-equipped to tackle any hard-rock performance. To that end, the following is a list of our favorite drum sets for metal, from punchy, snap-oriented setups to low-end rhythmic rigs. Let’s take a look!
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
- ddrum Dominion Birch 6-piece Shell Pack
- DW Collector’s Series 5-piece Shell Pack
- Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple CM1-E826P 7-piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum
- Ludwig Vistalite Zep 4-piece Shell Pack
- Mapex Armory 6-piece Studioease Fast Tom Shell Pack
- PDP Concept Maple Shell Pack
- Pearl Export EXX725N 8-piece Drum Set with Snare and Hardware
- SJC Custom Drums Tour Series 6-piece Shell Pack
- Sonor SQ2 Maple 6-piece Shell Pack
- TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch WBS52LS 5-piece Shell Pack
ddrum Dominion Birch 6-piece Shell Pack
Intuitive birch kit for the percussionist at any level
Birch is a formidable tonewood and a perfect addition to any drum set for metal. Why? Its strength and weight make for a hyper-focused, snappy response. The 6-/8-ply shells of the ddrum Dominion Birch 6-piece shell pack supply precisely that, adding a Dominion snare for solid, crisp focus to your rhythms. This kit’s hardware makes it shine; classic box lugs, a redesigned tom holder, and 45-degree bearing edges add modernity and performance to a stage and studio setup. On top of that, the onboard Remo heads provide exceptional tones as soon as they arrive, making this pack a perfect selection for drummers of any skill level looking for an easy setup option.
DW Collector’s Series 5-piece Shell Pack
Explore the sonics of the deep dark
The DW Collector’s Series 5-piece shell pack invokes mighty metal fury on looks alone. As Sweetwater drummers dug deeper into the kit, they discovered the same applied to its tone. A 9-ply 333 shell construction supplies a hard-hitting low-end response that fills any venue. The build also allows for less tension on each shell, which makes response times quicker while boosting the punch of your bass and tom hits. It’s all finished with complimentary black hardware and wrapped in Delmar-source FinishPly wraps, maintaining a sleek look while adhering to the metal aesthetic you’re going for. Plus, it comes straight from DW’s Custom Shop — which guarantees top-shelf performance and reliability.
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple CM1-E826P 7-piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum
Powerful metal punch cloaked in classic maple
No matter your percussion playing style, a Gretsch kit is always a safe bet. Sweetwater drummers find that the Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple CM1-E826P 7-piece shell pack with snare drum perfectly fits emerging metal artists. These drums harbor a standard maple shell build, providing huge projection with balanced overtones. Rounded 30-degree bearing edges offer more surface area, adding a punchier response to every hit. That makes this kit a solid option for drummers who prefer a classic tonal palette that can get hard and heavy if needed. Topped off with Remo heads, the Catalina Maple 7-piece shell pack is a formidable choice for beginning drummers, demanding rock connoisseurs, and everyone in between.
Ludwig Vistalite Zep 4-piece Shell Pack
A Led classic that won’t weigh you down
If you’re a metalhead drummer, then you’ve undoubtedly heard of John Bonham. The Ludwig Vistalite Zep 4-piece shell pack is a modern re-creation of the Led Zeppelin drummer’s legendary acrylic kit. Its superpower lies in each drum’s superb attack, making it an excellent choice for metal and hard-rock artists looking to deliver loud tones to the table. In the meantime, its acrylic structure remains sturdy to prevent your equipment from cracking when aggressive playing techniques are required. Countless artists can’t be wrong: a Ludwig kit is perfect for metal performances on the stage and in the studio.
Mapex Armory 6-piece Studioease Fast Tom Shell Pack
Snare and style for discerning performers
Cut through the mix with the Mapex Armory 6-piece Studioease Fast Tom shell pack. Each birch and maple shell offers exceptional attack and grab — a perfect pairing for shortcutting the density of metal rhythms. With included SONIClear bearing edges, you’re guaranteed an authentic tone free from tension and tuning interferences. The main feature of this pack, however, is the Tomahawk snare, which features a more resounding snare punch with exceptional stability that will surely add sustenance to any metal project. With all the style and enhancements of a modern kit, the Mapex Armory 6-piece Studioease Fast Tom shell pack is a one-way ticket to powerful rock percussion.
PDP Concept Maple Shell Pack
Maple: the reliable metal percussion mainstay
Sticking to maple is always an excellent choice — especially when looking for the snap and articulation that metal requires. Your best bet is the PDP Concept Maple shell pack, which includes seven pieces for excellent tonal variety in an instant. The kit features both 7- and 10-ply shells, Suspension Tom Mounting, True Pitch tuning, and F.A.S.T. tom sizing for even more sound personalization. The best part? This affordable maple set gives you the thrashy sound you desire without spending a fortune. If you’re in the market for a traditional, responsive metal kit, then the PDP Concept Maple 7-piece shell pack is your key to the kingdom.
Pearl Export EXX725N 8-piece Drum Set with Snare and Hardware
A popular Pearl pick with extra bass
The Pearl Export EXX725N 8-piece Drum Set with Snare and Hardware is an affordable take on one of the company’s most prized drum kits. Sweetwater drummers are huge fans of the Export EXX kit’s Superior Shell Technology, which consists of premium ply choices and construction techniques to keep your shells durable while emitting a balanced and wide-range frequency response. The result? A snappy, powerful hit on all levels, making responsive taps and rapid fills easily imbue the room. Even better, the kit comes with not one but two 22-inch bass drums, making those quick rhythms and beefy backing tones easier to conjure.
SJC Custom Drums Tour Series 6-piece Shell Pack
Road-ready and exclusive metal kit
As the favorite tour drum set of David Sandström (Refused) and Cameron Losch (Born of Osiris), the SJC Custom Drums Tour Series 6-piece shell pack is a standout pick for any metal-minded percussionist. Tucked inside its Sweetwater-exclusive Autumn Hunter finish are solid and responsive tones and crisp projection, courtesy of the kit’s select North American maple construction. The pack’s travel-friendly design stems from low-mass appointments and hardware, which retain tonal potential while keeping your case light. Best of all, these drums are ready when they arrive at your door — each Evans USA drumhead is tuned at SJC’s facility before shipment. If you need a quick pickup for your next metalcore gig, then this kit is for you.
Sonor SQ2 Maple 6-piece Shell Pack
Handcrafted shells worth their weight in gold
Ask any Sweetwater drummer — if you plan on recording, then you will want the Sonor SQ2 Maple 6-piece shell pack in your studio. This kit features German-handcrafted SQ2 maple shells and represents 140 years of Sonor’s drum-building expertise, combining balanced mids and highs with a blistering low-end boost. If you’re familiar with Sonor’s SQ2 series of shells, then you know that each is equipped with the company’s proprietary TuneSafe system, which keeps tuning stable throughout multiple takes — even when performing at lower tensions. There’s more than enough room for customization on this kit with onboard AcoustiGate vents, so minute changes during stage play are as easy as pie. If custom quality is required, then the SQ2 Maple 6-piece shell pack from Sonor delivers without the wait.
TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch WBS52LS 5-piece Shell Pack
Snappy birch hybrid with outstanding TAMA appointments
Last up is the TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch WBS52LS 5-piece shell pack. This set is outfitted in warm birch and ultra-responsive walnut and is a significant addition to the arsenal of any metal drummer. Besides a host of snappy, heavy tones, the Starclassic kit is loaded with TAMA die-cast hoops, a Star-Cast mounting system, and Evans heads for maximum durability onstage. Speaking of the stage, setting up with this kit is a cinch, thanks to its bass drum spur bracket memory markers and rubber-based contact points. Sweetwater drummers even report that this feature prevents vibration transfer from muddying up your performance! Topped off with several extra color options, the Starclassic Walnut/Birch 5-piece shell pack is a no-hesitation choice for metal drummers.
Take Your Percussive Power to New Levels
Which one of these drum kits stood out to you? Go ahead and give it a try! When it comes to drums, experimentation with different sounds is critical. Of course, there are other options available at Sweetwater. We’re proud of our extensive collection of drum sets, so feel free to browse even further if you need more convincing! For more help with gear, setup, requirements, or anything else music-related, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700!
