Best Drum Kits for Power Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drum kits for power metal drumming. What Scott Travis (Tama Starclassic Maple), Aquiles Priester (Trick Drums Custom Maple), Nicko McBrain (Sonor SQ1/SQ2), and Mikkey Dee (Pearl Reference Series) actually play — bright, articulate shells built for galloping speed and theatrical range, from budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Scott Travis use?
Scott Travis of Judas Priest currently plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit in Piano Black finish, paired with a Tama Starphonic Brass 14"x6" snare and Sabian HHX cymbals. He returned to Tama for "Firepower" (2018) after roughly fifteen years on Pearl, and drives twin 22"x18" kicks with two independent Speed Cobra pedals rather than a double pedal.
What drum kit does Aquiles Priester use?
Aquiles Priester currently plays a fully custom Trick Drums maple kit on his 2023 Angra return cycle, paired with a Trick Drums Custom 14"x6.5" snare, a full Ufip cymbal setup, and a DW 9000 Series double pedal — a rig built for sustained consistency at his 180-220+ BPM neoclassical double-bass tempos.
Does Nicko McBrain use a double pedal?
No — Nicko McBrain has never used a double bass pedal with Iron Maiden. His entire galloping, triplet-based rhythmic vocabulary is built on a single 22"x17" bass drum and a single Sonor pedal, proving foot independence rather than raw double-bass speed can anchor a genre-defining sound.
Why do power metal drummers need a different kit than blast-beat genres?
Power metal's galloping rhythms and soaring, keyboard-orchestrated arrangements need a kit voiced for brightness and articulation rather than the low-end weight blast-beat genres favor. The kit has to cut through theatrical, layered arrangements at sustained high tempo without losing crispness.
Do I need an expensive custom kit to play power metal?
No — a Tama Imperialstar or Sonor AQ2 shell pack will teach real power metal technique at a fraction of the price of Scott Travis's Starclassic or Aquiles Priester's Trick Drums custom build. Upgrade once your technique and budget allow for a professional-tier kit.