Charlie Benante has been using Vic Firth drumsticks with Anthrax for the past 35 years. "To me, it's the only choice," he reasons. But as anyone familiar with Benante's pioneering double-bass work and dizzying L-R control already knows, Charlie could use unicorn bones if he wanted — and stick manufacturers would flock to make them for him. To honor this monolith of modern metal drumming, Vic Firth has awarded Charlie his own highly customized signature stick: the SBEN. Charlie's Signature Series Vic Sticks feature slip-resistant Vic Grip textured .625" Rock shafts for precision control and blinding stage power. "I don’t like a thin stick, but I also don’t like a stick that is too heavy." To accommodate this, Vic and Charlie designed an abrupt taper that begins well past the mid-point and terminates in a modified oval tip to unlock greater articulation on cymbals and heads. This gives Charlie added durability when riding on a crash — kryptonite to traditionally tapered sticks — while still providing balance and control for timekeeping and sticking. If you're a rock or metal player who's after power, control, and a non-slip grip to stand up to mid-set hand sweat, take it from drummers at MusicMajlis: the Vic Firth SBEN Charlie Benante Signature Series Drumsticks are worth the investment.