# Mapex Armory Drummers — Which Metal Drummers Use the Mapex Armory? > MetalForge's guide to professional metal drummers who play the Mapex Armory drum kit. > Last updated: 2026-06-25 The Mapex Armory is Mapex's mid-tier professional series, introduced in 2015 and built to deliver the brand's hallmark tone at an accessible price point. With poplar and maple hybrid shells, SONIClear bearing edges, and the Armory's distinctive StormFall snare drum, the series has become a favourite among touring metallers who need reliable, road-tested sound without the custom-order price tag of the Saturn V or Black Panther lines. --- ## Pro Metal Drummers Who Use the Mapex Armory ### Jason Bittner — Overkill / Shadows Fall **Band & Era:** Overkill / Shadows Fall, 2015–present **Configuration:** Mapex Armory — 22"×18" Bass Drum, 10"×8", 12"×9", 14"×12", 16"×16" Toms **Notes:** Jason Bittner has been a Mapex endorser throughout his career with Shadows Fall and Overkill, and the Armory series represents the practical, road-ready side of the Mapex family he champions at clinics and in educational content. Bittner's power-forward style — heavy rimshots, driving double bass, and Paiste RUDE cymbals for maximum cut — suits the Armory's poplar/maple blend, which delivers a punchy attack without excessive sustain. The Armory's Sonic Saver hoops add rimshot clarity important for Overkill's classic thrash-metal feel. Bittner is Connecticut's most prominent metal drummer and has represented the Mapex brand across both metalcore and thrash contexts. See the full profile → [metalforge.io/drummers/jason-bittner](https://metalforge.io/drummers/jason-bittner) ### Matt Halpern — Periphery **Band & Era:** Periphery, 2015–present **Configuration:** Mapex Armory — 22"×18" Bass Drum, 10"×8", 12"×9", 14"×12" Toms **Notes:** Matt Halpern is one of Mapex's most visible metal endorsers, known for his hybrid acoustic/electronic setup with Periphery. While his primary touring and recording instrument is the Mapex Saturn V MH Exotic signature series, Halpern regularly features the Armory in educational settings — Drumeo lessons, masterclasses, and content aimed at intermediate-level players developing their technique. He favours a compact four-tom configuration (matching his lean, music-first approach) and pairs the kit with Meinl cymbals and a Roland SPD-SX for electronic pads. The Armory's poplar/maple shells produce the mid-focused attack that suits Periphery's djent-adjacent sound. See the full profile → [metalforge.io/drummers/matt-halpern](https://metalforge.io/drummers/matt-halpern) --- ## About the Mapex Armory Released in 2015, the Armory targets working drummers who want professional-grade features without committing to the price of custom series drums. Notable specs for metal applications: - **Shell construction:** Poplar/maple hybrid (6-ply) — fast attack, focused mid-range, minimal unwanted overtones - **Bearing edges:** SONIClear design — a 45-degree cut with a small rounded peak that centres the drumhead for even resonance across the entire head surface - **Hoops:** Sonic Saver on toms and bass drum — reinforced with a curved flange that protects shells from cracking during rimshots - **Included snare:** Mapex Armory StormFall 14"×6.5" — poplar/maple shell with binding; warm crack suited to metal applications - **Finish options:** Transparent Burgundy, Iridescent Black Dawn, Smokewood, and several others - **Price range:** $1,200–$2,000 (complete shell kit) depending on configuration The Armory sits between entry-level (Mapex Venus) and professional series (Saturn V, Black Panther) in the Mapex line. For drummers playing mid-sized clubs and venues, or recording in a budget-conscious home studio context, it offers an excellent power-to-price ratio. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Which metal drummers use the Mapex Armory?** A: Jason Bittner (Overkill, Shadows Fall) and Matt Halpern (Periphery) are among the Mapex-endorsed metal drummers associated with the Armory series. Both are long-time Mapex brand endorsers who champion the Armory in clinics and educational content aimed at developing drummers. **Q: Is the Mapex Armory good for metal drumming?** A: Yes — the Armory is well-suited to mid-heavy metal genres including metalcore, groove metal, and thrash. Its poplar/maple shells produce a punchy, focused attack that cuts through dense guitar mixes, and the SONIClear bearing edges reduce the need for extensive head tuning. The kit handles hard rimshots and double bass passages without the shell resonance issues that affect cheaper poplar-only kits. For extreme metal (death, black, grindcore) at loud volumes, players may eventually want to move to a heavier all-maple or birch kit, but the Armory covers most practical live-playing needs. **Q: How does the Mapex Armory compare to the Saturn V?** A: The Saturn V uses an all-maple shell (8-ply) and Mapex's premium MH Exotic construction with superior hardware. It has deeper, more complex tone with more tuning range — it excels in both studio and large-venue live applications. The Armory is lighter, more affordable, and faster-decaying. For a developing drummer or a working musician who needs consistent sound across varied rooms without spending $3,000+, the Armory is the practical choice. Players like Matt Halpern started building their setup sensibility on kits in this tier before moving to signature series instruments. **Q: What size configuration is best for metal on a Mapex Armory?** A: The standard metal configuration on the Armory is a 22"×18" bass drum with a 10"×8", 12"×9", 14"×12" tom setup — matching what both Jason Bittner and Matt Halpern run in compact configurations. For drummers who need more tom spread (for progressive fills across a wider range), adding a 16"×16" floor tom brings the kit to five-piece territory, which is what Bittner uses live with Overkill. **Q: Where can I buy the Mapex Armory?** A: The Mapex Armory is widely stocked at major music retailers including Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Thomann, and Musician's Friend. It is one of Mapex's most available series. See the [Mapex brand page at metalforge.io/gear/mapex](https://metalforge.io/gear/mapex) for pricing and retail links. --- [Full Mapex Armory drummers page → metalforge.io/gear/mapex/armory/drummers-using](https://metalforge.io/gear/mapex/armory/drummers-using) *Source: [MetalForge Gear Guides](https://metalforge.io/gear)*