Best Drumsticks for Power Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drumsticks for power metal drumming: what Scott Travis (Vic Firth 5A), Aquiles Priester (ProMark Aquiles Priester Signature), Nicko McBrain (Vic Firth Signature SNM), and Mikkey Dee (Vic Firth 5B) actually play. Balanced sticks built for dynamic range across slow builds and galloping fast passages — ranked budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drumsticks does Scott Travis use?
Scott Travis of Judas Priest plays a standard Vic Firth American Classic 5A, giving his galloping, double-bass-driven patterns the hand speed they demand without any specialized signature geometry.
What's the best drumstick diameter for power metal?
A 5A diameter works best for power metal's galloping double-bass patterns, as used by Scott Travis and Aquiles Priester. Nicko McBrain's reinforced Vic Firth 5B and Mikkey Dee's standard Vic Firth 5B are strong alternatives for drummers prioritizing accent weight and touring durability.
What drumsticks does Aquiles Priester use?
Aquiles Priester of Angra plays his own ProMark Aquiles Priester Signature, matched to the neoclassical double-bass precision his technically demanding playing requires across Angra's genre-defining catalog.
What drumsticks does Nicko McBrain use?
Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden plays a Vic Firth Nicko McBrain Signature SNM, a stick built on a 5B shaft with a reinforced neck and tip that adds touring durability to Iron Maiden's galloping, anthemic riffs without changing the familiar diameter.
Do power metal drummers need lighter sticks than other metal genres?
Often, yes, for galloping double-bass speed. Scott Travis's and Aquiles Priester's picks both sit at a 5A diameter for exactly this reason. That said, Nicko McBrain's reinforced Vic Firth 5B and Mikkey Dee's heavier Vic Firth 5B show two well-trained, road-tested drummers can still favor extra mass and durability.