Best Drum Kits for Power Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drum kits for power metal drumming. What Scott Travis (ddrum Dominion Series), Aquiles Priester (Mapex Saturn Evolution All Maple), Nicko McBrain (British Drum Co.), and Mikkey Dee (Sonor SQ2) 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 ddrum Dominion Series kit, paired with a ddrum Scott Travis Signature 14"x6.5" snare and Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series cymbals. He switched to ddrum for "Firepower" (2018) after roughly fifteen years on Pearl, and drives twin 22"x18" kicks with a DW 9000 Series double pedal.
What drum kit does Aquiles Priester use?
Aquiles Priester currently plays a Mapex Saturn Evolution All Maple signature kit on his 2023 Angra return cycle, paired with a matching Mapex Saturn Evolution 14"x6.5" snare, a full custom red-coated Paiste 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 bass drum and a single DW 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 ddrum Dominion Series or Aquiles Priester's Mapex Saturn Evolution signature kit. Upgrade once your technique and budget allow for a professional-tier kit.