What could have inspired TRX Cymbals to make these oversized BRT models? Is there some sort of Turkish cymbal contest for grotesquely gargantuan musical products? If so, TRX would certainly net four blue ribbons at the upcoming 2009 Central Ankara Regional Fair for each of its newest BRTs.

TRX spokesperson David Levine offers a more logical explanation:

"We recently began noticing that more and more drummers were playing the bigger sizes and some were even using 21˝ and 22˝ ride cymbals as crashes. But ride cymbals aren't designed to be crash cymbals. It's just not the right sound. So, we developed these larger crashes and matched them with a bigger ride and hi-hats to meet the needs of today's hard rock players."

While TRX obviously didn't notice that I've been drilling holes in 45" gongs and mounting them horizontally to use as a crash/ride, they are introducing four new oversized models: a 24" ride, 21" and 22" crashes and 15" hi-hats.

The BRT line was designed to cut through metal and hard rock, and they are brighter and louder than most cymbals. The newest cymbals will be even louder, so loud, in fact, that Mr. Levine warns players to "to use them carefully," adding, "with great power comes great responsibility."