Best Drum Pedals for Technical Death Metal 2026 | MetalForge Guide
Discover the best double bass pedals for technical death metal drumming. What George Kollias (Pearl Demon XR), Hannes Grossmann (DW 9000), Flo Mounier (Tama Speed Cobra 910), and Derek Roddy (Tama Speed Cobra 910) actually play — from budget to pro, built for extreme blast-beat precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pedal does George Kollias use?
George Kollias co-designed the Pearl Demon XR, a direct drive double pedal engineered specifically for the linear, instant response his 240+ BPM double bass work with Nile requires.
What pedal does Derek Roddy use?
Derek Roddy plays the Tama Speed Cobra 910, a chain drive pedal with a Speedo-Ring sprocket and extended footboard, built to support the one-footed blast beat technique he pioneered and later taught in his instructional materials.
Is direct drive or chain drive better for technical death metal?
Both hold up at the highest level. George Kollias's direct drive Demon XR offers the most linear, consistent response for sustained sequences. A refined chain drive pedal — like the Tama Speed Cobra 910 that Derek Roddy and Flo Mounier both play, or Hannes Grossmann's DW 9000 — can match that speed while offering more tunable feel for constantly shifting subdivisions, gravity blasts included.
What's the best budget pedal for technical death metal?
The Tama Iron Cobra 600 (€250-300) offers proven chain-drive performance from the same lineage as Derek Roddy's and Flo Mounier's Speed Cobra 910. The Pearl Eliminator Redline (€350-400) shares NiNjA bearings with George Kollias's pro-tier Pearl pedal.
What pedal does Hannes Grossmann use?
Hannes Grossmann plays a DW 9000 Series double pedal, an infinitely adjustable dual chain drive pedal that drives the demanding blast-beat and odd-subdivision bass drum patterns central to his work with Obscura and Alkaloid.