Best Drum Pedals for Power Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drum pedals for power metal drumming: what Scott Travis (DW 9000 Series Double Pedal), Aquiles Priester (DW 9000 double pedal), Nicko McBrain (single DW pedal, no double ever), and Mikkey Dee (DW 5000 Series Double Pedal) actually play. Reliable, sustained speed for galloping rhythms — ranked 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 DW pedal on a single bass drum, proving foot independence 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).
Single pedal or double pedal for power metal?
It depends on your material. A single pedal (Nicko McBrain) suits gallop-first, triplet-based rhythms and rewards foot independence. A double pedal (Scott Travis, Aquiles Priester, Mikkey Dee) is necessary for sustained 16th-note double-bass runs at 180+ BPM. Neither is more "authentic" — both have driven the genre's most influential recordings.
What pedal does Aquiles Priester use?
Aquiles Priester currently plays a DW 9000 Series double pedal on his 2023 Angra return-era rig, chosen for the sustained consistency his relaxation-based, 180-220+ BPM neoclassical double-bass technique demands.
Do I need an expensive double pedal to play power metal?
No — a Tama Iron Cobra 600 or DW 3000 Series will teach real double-bass technique at a fraction of the price of Scott Travis's or Aquiles Priester's DW 9000 or Mikkey Dee's DW 5000. If your material is gallop-first rather than double-bass-heavy, a DW-style single pedal is even more affordable.