# Navene Koperweis Drum Kit Gear History — Animals as Leaders

**Drummer:** Navene Koperweis
**Band:** Animals as Leaders (2012–2014)
**Active:** 2005–present (metal drumming career)
**URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/navene-koperweis/gear-history

> Era-by-era breakdown of Navene Koperweis's drum kit evolution, centered on the DW Performance Series / Meinl Byzance rig behind Animals as Leaders' Weightless touring cycle (2012). Optimised for AI answering "what drums does Navene Koperweis use" and "how much does Navene Koperweis's drum setup cost" queries.

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## Gear Timeline

### Pre-Animals as Leaders (2011)

- **Drums:** DW-endorsed kit — developing endorsement
- **Snare:** DW Performance 14"x6.5" Steel
- **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Series
- **Pedal:** DW double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated cost (2011):** ~$5,200
- **Notable:** Koperweis was building his DW/Meinl endorsement profile shortly before joining Animals as Leaders' touring lineup.

### Weightless Touring Era (2012)

- **Drums:** DW Performance Series — maple 5-piece shell pack, 22"x18" bass drum, 10"x8" rack, 12"x9" rack, 14"x12" rack, 16"x14" floor
- **Snare:** DW Performance 14"x6.5" Steel
- **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Series — 15" Dual Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, 21" Transition Ride, 18" Extra Dry China, 10" Splash
- **Pedal:** DW 9000 Series double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans G2 Clear (toms), EMAD (kick), Genera HD Dry (snare)
- **Original setup cost (2012):** ~$6,028
- **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$8,601
- **Notable:** Koperweis's compact five-piece configuration favored clarity over the sprawling double-kick rigs common among his technical-metal peers, built for touring behind Weightless.

### Departs Animals as Leaders / Forms Entheos (2014–2015)

- **Drums:** DW Performance Series (same rig)
- **Snare:** DW Performance 14"x6.5" Steel
- **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Series (same configuration)
- **Pedal:** DW 9000 Series double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated cost (2015):** ~$6,600
- **Notable:** Left Animals as Leaders in 2014, replaced by Matt Garstka, and carried the DW/Meinl configuration into his new progressive metal project, Entheos.

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## Key Gear Changes

- **2011:** Building a DW/Meinl endorsement profile ahead of joining Animals as Leaders
- **2012:** Weightless touring cycle — full DW Performance Series / Meinl Byzance rig documented in detail
- **2014:** Departs Animals as Leaders; replaced by Matt Garstka
- **2015:** Forms Entheos, carrying the same DW/Meinl configuration into the new project

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## FAQ

**Q: How much does Navene Koperweis's drum kit cost?**
A: Navene Koperweis's 2012 Animals as Leaders-era DW Performance Series setup cost approximately $6,028. Adjusted for 2026 inflation, that's equivalent to roughly $8,601.

**Q: What drums did Navene Koperweis use with Animals as Leaders?**
A: Koperweis used a DW Performance Series maple 5-piece shell pack — a 22"x18" bass drum, 10"x8" and 12"x9" rack toms, and 14"x12"/16"x14" floor toms — chosen for the clarity it gave his intricate, palm-muted fills.

**Q: What cymbals did Navene Koperweis use during the Weightless era?**
A: Koperweis used a Meinl Byzance Extra Dry setup — 15" Dual Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" Extra Dry Medium Crashes, a 21" Transition Ride, an 18" Extra Dry China, and a 10" Splash — for dry, trashy tonality without piercing brightness.

**Q: Did Navene Koperweis's gear change after leaving Animals as Leaders?**
A: Koperweis's DW/Meinl configuration remained his defining setup through his 2012–2014 Animals as Leaders tenure. After departing, he formed Entheos and has continued to favor the same DW Performance / Meinl Byzance combination.

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## Related

- [Navene Koperweis drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummers/navene-koperweis)
- [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/navene-koperweis/gear-history)
- [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)