Best Drum Pedals for Metalcore 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drum pedals for metalcore drumming: what Nick Augusto (Pearl Demon Drive), Art Cruz (DW 5000), Travis Orbin (Tama Speed Cobra 910), and Matt Halpern (Pearl Eliminator) actually play. Fast, articulate double bass for metalcore's breakdown-driven riffing — ranked budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best metalcore drummers and what pedals do they use?
Nick Augusto, who played in Trivium from 2009-2014, used a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal. Art Cruz of Lamb of God plays a DW 5000 Series Turbo double pedal, Travis Orbin of Periphery and Darkest Hour used a Tama Speed Cobra 910 on Periphery's genre-defining self-titled debut, and Matt Halpern of Periphery plays a Pearl Eliminator Redline.
What pedal does Nick Augusto use?
Nick Augusto, who played drums in Trivium from 2009 to 2014, used a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal alongside his Pearl Reference Pure kit, giving the band's technical metalcore riffing on "In Waves" and "Vengeance Falls" instant, direct-drive speed.
Do I need a direct drive pedal for metalcore breakdowns?
No — Art Cruz of Lamb of God uses a chain-drive DW 5000 Series Turbo double pedal, which delivers more weighted punch on single breakdown hits than most direct-drive pedals. Direct drive like Nick Augusto's Pearl Demon Drive shines more on rapid, technical double-bass runs.
What pedal did Travis Orbin use on Periphery's debut album?
Travis Orbin used a Tama Speed Cobra 910 alongside his SJC Custom M5 kit and Roland SPD-SX sampling pad to help build the genre-defining, trigger-augmented sound on Periphery's self-titled 2010 debut.
What's the best budget double bass pedal for metalcore?
The Tama Iron Cobra 600 (around €250-300) shares Tama's Speed Cobra family DNA at an accessible price. For a budget option in the same family as Nick Augusto and Matt Halpern's Pearl pedals, the Pearl Demonator (€150-190) is a solid single-pedal starting point.