Navene Koperweis Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Entheos Drummer | MetalForge
Navene Koperweis Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Navene Koperweis, Entheos drummer and former Animals as Leaders member. Explore his technical drumming, electronic production, and dive...
Quick Facts: Navene Koperweis
| Band | Entheos / ex-Animals as Leaders |
|---|---|
| All bands | Entheos, Animals as Leaders |
| Genre | Progressive Metal / Djent / Technical Death Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Meinl |
| Drum kit | DW Drums Performance Series |
| Snare | DW Performance 14x6.5" Steel |
| Sticks | Vic Firth American Classic 5B |
Navene Koperweis Biography
Navene Koperweis (born May 31, 1985, in San Jose, California) is an American drummer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with progressive metal band Entheos and his former tenure with Animals as Leaders. His drumming combines extreme technical precision with creative musical expression, spanning genres from djent to deathcore to electronic music.
Beyond his drumming career, Koperweis is a prolific producer and electronic artist who releases music under the name "Navene K." He runs his own technical death metal project Fleshwrought, where he plays all instruments, demonstrating his versatility as a complete musician. Recently, he has served as session drummer for Machine Head and tour drummer for Job for a Cowboy.
Career Highlights
- 1996: Started playing drums at age 11
- 2003: Joined hardcore band Hoods
- 2003: Joined grindcore/death metal band Animosity
- 2006: Contributed to The Faceless' "Akeldama" album (track #4)
- 2007: Released "Animal" with Animosity
- 2010: Joined Animals as Leaders; released "Weightless" demo/recordings
- 2011: Recorded and released "Weightless" with Animals as Leaders
- 2012: Left Animals as Leaders; released electronic EP "Human Design" as Navene K
- 2014: Co-produced Animals as Leaders' "The Joy of Motion" (production credit)
- 2015: Founded Entheos; released debut EP "Primal"
- 2016: Released "The Infinite Nothing" with Entheos
- 2021: Enlisted as session drummer for Machine Head's new album
- 2023: Released "Time Will Take Us All" with Entheos
Style & Influences
Navene Koperweis's drumming style bridges extreme metal precision with electronic music sensibilities. His technical proficiency allows him to navigate complex djent rhythms, death metal blast beats, and intricate polyrhythmic patterns, while his production background informs his approach to tone and dynamics.
Key Influences:
- Tim Alexander (Primus): Creative, unconventional approach
- Joey Jordison (Slipknot): Extreme metal intensity
- Kevin Talley: Technical death metal precision
- John Longstreth (Origin): Brutal technicality
- Terry Bozzio: Progressive complexity
- Electronic Artists: Skrillex, Noisia, Deadmau5 influence his production work
Signature Techniques:
- Complex polyrhythmic patterns incorporating djent elements
- Blast beats with clarity and musicality
- Integration of electronic elements in metal context
- Dynamic control within extreme metal
- Multi-instrumentalist approach to composition
Gear Highlights
Navene Koperweis is a Meinl Cymbals endorser, favoring their Byzance series for its dark, complex tones. His setup is designed for the technical demands of progressive and extreme metal.
Current Setup:
- Drums: DW Drums Performance Series
- Snare: DW Performance 14"x6.5" Steel
- Cymbals: Meinl Byzance Series (15" Dual Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, 21" Transition Ride, 18" Extra Dry China, 10" Splash)
- Hardware: DW 9000 Series double pedal, DW Throne
- Sticks: Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- Heads: Evans
Production Work:
- Operates recording studio for drum production
- Produces electronic music as "Navene K"
- Has released multiple electronic EPs and singles
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Navene Koperweis use?
Navene Koperweis plays a DW Drums Performance Series kit — a workhorse acoustic setup that anchors his playing across Entheos, Animals as Leaders, and his session work. It's built around a DW Performance 14"x6.5" steel snare.
What drum set does Navene Koperweis use?
Navene Koperweis's drum set pairs his DW Performance shells and steel snare with a DW 9000 Series double pedal, driving the extreme single-stroke and blast-beat passages central to his playing.
What cymbals does Navene Koperweis play?
Navene Koperweis plays Meinl Byzance Series cymbals: 15" Dual Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, a 21" Transition Ride, an 18" Extra Dry China, and a 10" splash.
What snare does Navene Koperweis use?
Navene Koperweis's snare is a DW Performance 14"x6.5" Steel, chosen for the sharp, cutting crack needed to hold its own against djent-tuned guitars and his own layered electronic production.
What sticks does Navene Koperweis use?
Navene Koperweis uses Vic Firth American Classic 5B drumsticks.
What bass drum pedal does Navene Koperweis use?
Navene Koperweis drives his extreme single-stroke and blast-beat passages with a DW 9000 Series double pedal.
What drumheads does Navene Koperweis use?
Navene Koperweis uses Evans drumheads across his DW Performance kit.
What band is Navene Koperweis in?
Navene Koperweis founded Entheos in 2015 and previously drummed for Animals as Leaders (2010-2012) and Animosity (2003-2008). He has also served as a session drummer for Machine Head since 2021.
What other projects has Navene Koperweis worked on?
Beyond Entheos and Animals as Leaders, Navene Koperweis runs his own technical death metal project Fleshwrought, playing every instrument himself, produces electronic music under the name "Navene K," and has served as a session drummer for Machine Head since 2021.