Best Drum Pedals for Power Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drum pedals for power metal drumming: what Scott Travis (twin Tama Speed Cobra singles), Aquiles Priester (DW 9000 double pedal), Nicko McBrain (single Sonor pedal, no double ever), and Mikkey Dee (Pearl Demon Drive 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 Sonor pedal on a single 22"x17" 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 two independent Tama Speed Cobra 910 single pedals rather than a linked double pedal — the same foot-independence approach he's used since his 1980s Racer X days.
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 (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 Pearl Eliminator Redline will teach real double-bass technique at a fraction of the price of 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.