Metal drummers have a unique set of gear requirements. They need hardware that won’t break down or move under heavy playing, drums and cymbals that can cut through loud stage volumes, and heads that can take a beating while still sounding good.
Snare heads, in particular, are asked to do a lot in this genre. They need to be durable because of the volumes typically required. They need to be articulate because of the speeds that are often played. Hopefully, they can have some tone, too.
We always recommend checking out DrumheadSelector.com to find heads for your specific situation. That goes for any musical genre. For more general purposes, we created this list of our five favorite snare heads for playing metal. They’re all unique in their own ways. Some are a bit more durable than others, some have more resonance, and others accentuate articulation. Any of them can get the job done, but read on to find which one might work best for you.
Warning!
First, a word of warning. The thickest heads mentioned here require more tension than typical snare batter heads. That shouldn’t be a concern for most drummers, since the hardware on most snare drums can handle nearly any head, at nearly any tuning. However, if you put a super-thick head on a lightweight budget or vintage drum, then tighten it to a high pitch, there’s a chance you could actually damage drum parts.
We discuss this in ‘4 Common Drumhead Mistakes‘. Essentially, the amount of pressure put on lugs, hoops, and tension rods is larger when using very thick heads at high tensions. While this list doesn’t include the absolute thickest heads you can buy, care should still be taken if you have a lightweight snare drum.
On with the list! These are the best snare drum heads for metal.
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Evans
EC Reverse Dot
Specs:
2-ply, 7-mil + 10-mil
Power dot underneath
SST frequency control
Frosted surface
The Evans EC Reverse Dot incorporates several design features that make it a good option for hard-hitting drummers. The 17-mil thick base splits the difference between standard 2-ply 14-mil heads and super-thick 20-mil heads. Along with the 3-mil thick dot, it’ll be plenty durable for just about any player.
Evans uses their popular SST (Sound Shaping Technology) frequency control on this head, as well. Many drummers expect this to significantly decrease the amount of sustain the head has. It does control resonance somewhat, but it’s designed more to decrease unwanted overtones.
For many players, that’s a good thing. The EC Reverse Dot retains some tonal resonance despite its thickness. The sound is dry in the center. When playing rimshots, you’ll get a bit more resonance than you would with either a 20-mil head or a 2-ply head with a built-in dampening ring. Of course, if you find this head has too much natural resonance on your drum, you can always add some external dampening.
The EC Reverse Dot is the thickest head on this list. It’s a good option for drummers who hit hard. This head works especially well on bright metal drums, although it’s open enough to work well on heavier wood drums, too. The tuning range will be a hair lower than most others on the list, sitting comfortably in the medium-low to medium-high range.
Remo
Powerstroke 77
Specs:
2-ply, 7-mil + 7-mil
Power dot on top
Dampening ring
Coated surface
Inspired by marching drumheads, the Remo Powerstroke 77 is dry, durable, and can cut through loud stage volumes. It also has a surprisingly wide tuning range. Whether you like to tune low, high, or anywhere in between, this head can get there. It can work well on a wide range of drum types, as long as your snare drum isn’t a lightweight budget or vintage model.
The Powerstroke 77 combines an interesting series of specs. It has a 14-mil total thickness, a 5-mil thick dot on the top of the head, and a 7-mil outer dampening ring. All of this creates a warm, but loud sound. The center is very durable, and the overall sustain is short.
This head is not very sensitive when compared to standard snare drum heads. Of course, when you’re talking about playing metal or other aggressive styles of music, a little bit of sensitivity goes a long way. The clear version of this head is a popular alternative, if you want to increase clarity and brightness a bit more. There are even many colors options of this head available. It comes in smoke, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow! If you want to stand out and have a little fun, you have plenty of choices with a P77.
Overall, this head is great for drummers who want a dry sound, a ton of durability, and a good amount of volume. It performs particularly well on heavier drums that have a lot of natural resonance. Metal-shelled drums like brass or steel snares, are often perfect candidates for a Powerstroke 77 snare head.
Evans ST Dry
Specs:
2-ply, 7.5-mil + 7.5-mil
Dry vents
Coated surface
The Evans ST Dry is a straightforward, but effective 2-ply drumhead. At 15-mil thick, it’s about 7% thicker than a standard 2-ply head. That will increase durability somewhat, while still allowing for a wide tuning range and plenty of tone. The most interesting design feature is the venting. Evans has included vent holes on versions of their snare heads for a long time, making it one of their most popular options.
If you’re unfamiliar with snare head vent holes, they don’t dampen resonance as much as a dampening ring. The effect is more subtle, taming excess ringing, while adding a bit of clarity. The good news is the design leaves room to fine-tune with external dampening. On drums that are more naturally dry, the vents may be all you need. On drums with more resonance, you may need a little dampening.
The straightforward nature of this head makes it the safest pick on this list. It’s the head that should work for any metal drummer, no matter what drum it’s going on or how it’s tuned. It may not be the absolute best head if your main concern is durability, or articulation, or for using on some specific type of drum. But it should do a good job overall.
It’s also more versatile than the other heads mentioned so far. If you play metal, but also play other styles, the ST Dry could be a very good choice for you. The 15-mil thickness and subtle approach to resonance control makes it a head that performs well in a wide range of situations.
Aquarian
Hi-Velocity
Specs:
2-ply, 7-mil + 7-mil
Power dot on bottom
Coated surface
The Aquarian Hi-Velocity is the type of head you’d think would be more common. It’s a 2-ply, 14-mil head with a power dot. For some reason, that’s not something you see much. The design makes sense though. This head has a well-rounded sound and a good mix of tone and durability. Like the Evans ST Dry above, its straightforward design also helps make it quite versatile.
If you like 2-ply heads and prefer to handle some resonance control with external dampening, this Aquarian might be a head to try. Without dampening, the Hi-Velocity has more sustain than any of the previously-mentioned heads. There are no dampening rings or air vents, and the 14-mil base thickness is still thin enough to retain tonal body.
The dot on this head is also unique. It’s wider than a standard dot, but designed to retain resonance, especially when playing off-center. Aquarian calls it a ‘Power-Thin’ dot. It adds some durability, articulation, and volume. When tuned high, this head cuts through mixes nicely. Plus, if your aim isn’t the best, the larger dot gives you a big target!
The Hi-Velocity can work well on many snare drums. On naturally resonant drums, like many deeper brass or steel snares, you might find this head has too much resonance for your taste, especially when playing rimshots. Again, you can always add some external dampening. If you hit really hard, there are more durable heads on this list, too. The Hi-Velocity will wear out faster than the Evans EC Reverse Dot or Remo Powerstroke 77 for most players. However, if you want a head that has medium tone, good clarity at higher tensions, and can work well on any drum, this head is definitely worth considering.
Remo
Controlled Sound X
Specs:
1-ply, 12-mil
Power dot on bottom
Coated surface
The Remo Controlled Sound X might be a bit of a surprise for this list. It’s a single-ply head after all. It won’t be the best choice for everyone, but some metal drummers could benefit from its design. This head has a 12-mil base ply and a 5-mil power dot. That provides a good amount of durability, although not as much as some of the other options on this list.
At the cost of some durability, you get things that many drummers value. The lack of a second ply results in added articulation. If you play a lot of busy snare patterns, those notes will be more clearly defined on this head. That’s especially true at higher tensions.
There is certainly more resonance with this head than any of the others on this list. Most players will probably want to use some external dampening to focus the sound more. When playing on the center dot, the sound may be dry enough. Rimshots and other notes played off-center are much broader. Of course, the drum you’re using will factor into how much external dampening you may need.
The Controlled Sound X would be a great choice for metal drummers who generally play at moderate volumes, want a medium to high tuning range, and like to play more intricate snare patterns. It can work well on just about any snare drum, although some dampening may be required.
Wrap-Up
Those are our picks for best snare drum heads for metal music. The option that will work best for you depends on your playing style, snare drum, and personal tastes. Usually, the best thing to do is make an educated guess and just give one a try. After all, nothing beats firsthand experience!
By Peter Treuden – About the Author
Need a new bass drum head, too? Check out our picks for The Best Bass Drum Heads For Metal!
Right on about the ST Dry. I just got it earlier today and absolutely love it! Probably the best sounding snare head I have tried. I am using it on a Tama Star Classic. Highly recommended!!!