Heavy music, where did the ride go?

I think the ride cymbal just isn't necessary in some of these bands with their typical part writing. There are plenty of modern metal players that do use rides, but y'know, the bow of a ride is probably one of the least "penetrating" sounds on a kit especially compared with down-tuned guitar (though that will obviously depend on the thickness and pitch of the ride). The bell, moreso, but even that's just a different flavor for time-keeping than a hi-hat or stack.
 
Phil Rudd never had a ride in his setup. The music doesnt miss it but most genres of music can benefit from it IMO.

Yes he did, but he hasn't used one for a long time. There's a ride cymbal on (appropriately) Ride On and Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to be a Millionaire), both from the Dirty Deeds album.
 
The ride cymbal died in heavy music, but then Brann Dailor brought it back from the dead. Meinl calls it the "Ghost Ride".

True story.
 
Terry also tried to be cutting edge on that video by using May EA miss on his toms. Of course, they sounded like he was playing tubes ;)

And of course, you couldn't watch that video unless your hair was just as big!

Yeah, the sound of his drums on that first video was, uh,..terrible.

Remo Ebony Pinstripes heads cranked way, way up.
 
But speaking of Bozzio, stacks and heavier music, Bozzio really got it going with Vai's Sex & Religion album in 1993.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twi28xWoLxc


And of course, a few years before that, Guitar Shop with Jeff Beck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papk7M3sFCM

Too bad someone took down the live version of "US Drag" by Missing Persons, because it really shows Bozzio getting the stack think going in 1983, but it is buried somewhere in this full length live show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBjNzVCitjw

Bozzio got the idea of stacks, in part, because his crash cymbals were broken, making for shorter sounds, when he was with Frank Zappa in the 1970's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X6J_2zQ2Ok
 
It sort of depends. I think for certain sub-genres, many drummers have gone down a similar popular path of ultra staccato blasts, and abrupt time changes and whatnot. Everything has its place, but the Ride cymbal in Heavy music is alive and well.

The 24" Paiste 2002 Ride. Ounce for ounce, one of the greatest gifts this world has blessed upon rock drummers. My favorite cymbal above all others by miles. I love how this cymbal shimmers into its sonic groove with wash, ping, accents, and clear bell.

Something like this>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoqAjL_3mBI

But there are also drummers who play faster technical stuff that use the ride well with bow and accent. >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzz0YVEgT5U

And in the spirit of Where'd the Cheese go? >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1zL13LvxS8
 
Now they call it heavy, notice how they lump it all into one. I guess it would be easy to dig on every one and say any more there is no skilled metal or even hard rock, just punk. However, I think there is more coherent explanation in that modern guitar is louder and with all the effects compression distortion etcetera guitar has too much sustain, providing a sonic sound scape instead of melodies or neat chord changes, of course that was previously the function of the ride cymbal. Furthermore, in modern DnB or jungle there is a trend towards higher pitches and less sustain, nixing even many of the toms due to limited recording head room, and in deference to synthetic bass.
 
Good lord, Phil is amazing. My band band opened up for Revocation a couple times over the past couple years here in St Louis. Always a guaranteed killer show! I'm glad you mentioned him, because he's instantly who I thought of when I read the thread title.

Revocation are my homeboys

the bass player Brett is one of my closest friends

.... and yeah... Phil is a beast
 
Some of these examples of ride cymbals being used in "heavy" music have two important elements.

1. The music is recorded. Using microphones and mixing the music would obviously improve the sound of the ride.

2. Playing the ride like a crash cymbal would make it useful for heavy music.

When I play my ride on stage with no microphones, no amplification and without using it like a crash cymbal;
the sound I get can not be heard over the sound of loud guitars. (Unless I play on the bell of the cymbal)

.
 
Some of these examples of ride cymbals being used in "heavy" music have two important elements.

1. The music is recorded. Using microphones and mixing the music would obviously improve the sound of the ride.

2. Playing the ride like a crash cymbal would make it useful for heavy music.

When I play my ride on stage with no microphones, no amplification and without using it like a crash cymbal;
the sound I get can not be heard over the sound of loud guitars. (Unless I play on the bell of the cymbal)

.

you need the correct instrument for your situation .

you are not going to hear someone solo playing a nylon string classical guitar over a Marshall stack either

would someone bring a K con 20" at 1850g to a metal gig to use as a main ride cymbal ?
 
you need the correct instrument for your situation . you are not going to hear someone solo playing a nylon string classical guitar over a Marshall stack either. would someone bring a K con 20" at 1850g to a metal gig to use as a main ride cymbal ?

You are correct. In my case I play soft pop and loud rock, in the same night. I should probably give more serious thought to my cymbal selection.

.
 
the ultra-speed deathy guys still use 'em

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opXJQ7RcqPE

Yes, he is using a ride cymbal. But I don't hear it.
Unless he hits the bell or crashes it. And even when he crashes on the ride I can't hear it very well.

OK, I'll give him some credit, it looks good hanging there. And he might need it during the quiet parts of their power ballads.

.
 
When I play my ride on stage with no microphones, no amplification and without using it like a crash cymbal;
the sound I get can not be heard over the sound of loud guitars. (Unless I play on the bell of the cymbal)

.

This is why I own a Zildian original Z series Heavy Power Ride.

It gets heard!
 
Yes, he is using a ride cymbal. But I don't hear it.
Unless he hits the bell or crashes it. And even when he crashes on the ride I can't hear it very well.

OK, I'll give him some credit, it looks good hanging there. And he might need it during the quiet parts of their power ballads.

.

I can hear it just fine... 24 seconds in, he's blasting away on it, accenting with the bell, you can hear both just fine, ride being the higher pitched tings, and the bell the lower. the ride is quite loud.
 
I can hear it just fine... 24 seconds in, he's blasting away on it, accenting with the bell, you can hear both just fine, ride being the higher pitched tings, and the bell the lower. the ride is quite loud.

OK, your right. My bad.

I thought he was playing the bell only.

.
 
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