Best Bass Drum Pedals for Power Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Discover the best bass drum pedals for power metal's galloping, mid-tempo double-kick stamina. What Scott Travis, Aquiles Priester, Nicko McBrain, and Mikkey Dee actually play. Built for consistent long-set stamina — from budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nicko McBrain use a double bass pedal?
No — Nicko McBrain has never used a double bass pedal with Iron Maiden. His entire galloping, triplet-based rhythmic vocabulary runs through a single Sonor pedal on a single 22"x17" bass drum, proving foot independence and stamina rather than raw double-bass speed can anchor a genre-defining sound.
What pedal does Scott Travis use?
Scott Travis of Judas Priest drives his twin 22"x18" bass drums with a DW 9000 Series double pedal mounted on a Gibraltar rack — the setup he's used since switching to ddrum for "Firepower" (2018).
Why does stamina matter more than top speed for power metal pedals?
Power metal sets run 60-90+ minutes of sustained, gallop-heavy double-kick patterns at 180+ BPM. A pedal that's fast for the first few songs but fatigues or loses consistency by the end of the set is a bigger liability than one that's simply dependable from start to finish.
What pedal does Aquiles Priester use?
Aquiles Priester currently plays a DW 9000 Series double pedal on his Angra rig, chosen for the sustained consistency his relaxation-based, 180-220+ BPM neoclassical double-bass technique demands across a full set.
Do I need an expensive double pedal to play power metal?
No — a Tama Iron Cobra 600 or Pearl Eliminator Redline will teach real double-bass stamina at a fraction of the price of Scott Travis's or Aquiles Priester's DW 9000 or Mikkey Dee's Demon Drive. If your material is gallop-first rather than double-bass-heavy, a Sonor-style single pedal is even more affordable.