What's In Navene Koperweis's Kit: Entheos Drummer Gear Breakdown | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums does Navene Koperweis use?

Navene Koperweis uses DW Performance Series drums in a double bass configuration. He has played this kit since signing with DW in 2015, shortly after Entheos's Primal EP was recorded on a Tama Birch Silverstar kit — the same DW rig, unchanged since, that he still tours and records on for the extreme technical demands of his djent and progressive death metal playing style.

What cymbals does Navene Koperweis use?

Navene Koperweis is a Meinl Cymbals endorser and uses the Meinl Byzance series throughout his career. His current setup includes Meinl Byzance 15" Dual Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, a 21" Transition Ride, 18" Extra Dry China, and a 10" Splash. The Byzance Extra Dry sub-series — with its fast decay and controlled sustain — is particularly well-suited to tight djent riffing where cymbal bleed between notes would muddy the rhythmic picture.

What double bass pedal does Navene Koperweis use?

Navene Koperweis uses the DW 9000 Series double bass pedal. The 9000 is DW's flagship chain-drive double, featuring an adjustable eccentric cam that lets him dial in the exact acceleration curve and rebound angle his heel-up extreme-tempo technique requires. He has used this pedal since signing with DW in 2015, the same year as Entheos's Primal EP; no fixed pedal brand is documented for his earlier Animals as Leaders tenure.

What snare drum does Navene Koperweis use?

Navene Koperweis uses a DW Performance 14" x 6.5" steel snare. The steel shell produces a bright, cutting crack that slices through Entheos's dense guitar arrangements, while the 6.5" depth provides enough body for medium-high tuning without thinning out on ghost notes and softer passages.

What bands has Navene Koperweis played with?

Navene Koperweis has played with Animosity (2003–2008), Animals as Leaders (2010–2012), and Entheos (2015–present), where he is the founding drummer. He has also done session and touring work with Machine Head, Whitechapel, and Job for a Cowboy. He runs his own solo project Fleshwrought (all instruments) and releases electronic music as "Navene K."

What did Navene Koperweis play with Animals as Leaders?

Navene Koperweis recorded Weightless (2011) with Animals as Leaders — the band's second album and considered a landmark of the djent genre. His riff-locked double bass approach, where the kick drum pattern mirrors the guitar riff's specific rhythmic subdivision rather than a generic template, helped define how djent drumming would be played. He also received a production credit on The Joy of Motion (2014) after leaving the band.