The Best Double Pedals for Metal Drummers

Guitars, Music
June 1, 2025

The Best Double Pedals for Metal Drummers

By Kristian

When it comes to metal drumming, almost everything is centred around the double pedal, because to a large extent, that’s what makes the style. The double kick is a huge part of the entire genre, and the first thing that metal drummers learn is how to master playing the double pedal. But before this happens, one must consider what kind of pedal they should buy and what best suits their needs. It might not be so vital for those dipping their toes in the genre, but if you’re looking to be a metal drummer for the long term, then this choice is imperative. In this article, I will be looking at the best double pedals so you can make an informed decision and make your mental journey that much better.

Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal

This list would not be complete without the Tama Speed Cobra. This double pedal has been by my side for most of my life as a drummer, and as a solid all-arounder, I wouldn’t touch anything else. The best thing about this pedal is that it has the perfect balance between speed and power. I still remember the first time playing them, and they just clicked. They released the pedals around 2010, and I picked them up shortly after. After I tried them, I found it very hard to play anything else.

What makes these pedals great is that they are versatile and can help drummers play both loudly and fast. Which is something very rarely seen, especially in this current climate of quantising and heavy editing. This is due to the build of the pedals; the longboard lets you get maximum leverage by putting your feet back on the pedals. The settings are also very versatile, which also lends to the ability to make it heavier and louder. I like to pull the beaters back nice and far as well as make the tension on the springs nice and tight. This combination made the pedal slap very hard, and the springs pulled the beaters back to make them responsive.

They are also incredibly durable. When I was playing these pedals, they lasted me for years through multiple bands, practices, shows and tours. The first thing to degenerate is the linkage that connects the pedals. It’s pretty common for drummers to buy the linkage separately when they start to wear, but I ended up using mine for the entire duration and while some screws went missing I still managed to do alright with these pedals considering.

DW 9000 Double Pedal

The DW 9000 Double Pedal is a mainstay for many drummers, and when I was active in the scene, almost every drummer loved using these pedals. As far as higher-end double pedals were concerned, these were the most popular and well-known at the time. However, for faster and more intense styles, drummers would usually opt for different types of pedals. These were the best all-around drummers for drummers who play a variety of styles.

The DW 9000 pedals and DW in general stand out because of their quality and craftsmanship. Just like all DW hardware, it is engineered to near perfection, which is why they are one of the most well-known and durable brands that exist. Not only their pedals but also all their drums and hardware are renowned in the industry. The pedals themselves are very strong and sturdy; they feel heavy when you pick them up, and the quality of their aircraft-grade aluminium is apparent as soon as you play these beauties.

While there are many benefits, there were a few things that didn’t excite me about these pieces of hardware. They were pretty bulky and heavy, making it difficult to transport around. I found that playing these pedals felt pretty bulky as well, using them for faster styles of metal felt quite inefficient, so for most of my bands, I didn’t prefer these. This is because the footboards are not longboards. But as I said before, if you’re stylistically playing rock or pop genres, these will be just fine.

Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedals

Next up on the list are the Pearl Demon Drive Pedals, which are another popular pedal that has been a mainstay for metal drummers. Pearl gear and pedals have been quite well-known and popular for a long time, with Pearl Eliminators being a common choice for metal drummers until the daemon drives came along. These came about in 2009 and made waves ever since, for their speed, precision, and adjustability. Many well-known artists swear by these pedals, including Mike Mangine and George Kollias.

These pedals are the first on my list to have direct drive. When I talk about chain or direct drive, I’m talking about the connection between the pedal and the beaters. When the pedal is connected with a chain, there is a little more time and give between hitting the pedal and impact. If you’re using direct drive, the pedals feel much more responsive and faster. It comes down to the style of playing and preference. I like the give that chain-driven pedals have as they generally feel like they get better volume.

If you’re looking for something versatile and durable, but really need to have that speed, then I think the Demon Drive is good for you. It delves a little bit into metal territory without being akin to an extreme metal pedal purely designed for speed. You can adjust the settings for your needs as well as ensure that it is appropriate for any situation you’ll find yourself in if you’re a metal drummer.

Trick Drums Pro 1-V Bigfoot

I’ve tried many direct drive pedals in my time, some specialty brands and some more well-known. But the ones that stuck out the most for quality and durability are Trick pedals, these are used by one of my favourite drummers, Alex Rudinger and for good reason. They can hit ridiculously high speeds, have smooth action and can handle metal music effortlessly. But I would say they are a little more premium than other brands, and this comes with the price tag to match.

The Trick Pro 1-V, in particular, is a game changer in the drumming world. It is known for its superb direct drive mechanism and low-weight and low-mass construction. While Trick has a few different pedal types, the Bigfoot model is extra long and has a footboard that sits at about 13″, making it pretty versatile for drummers. This model also features an internal compression spring that lets you adjust on the fly while playing shows or between sets, easily.

I’ve tried the Trick pedals on a few occasions, and they largely remind me of other direct drive pedals on the market, such as Axis pedals. They feel very light and responsive on the feet, while the construction is durable, and the weight of the pedals is quite low, making them easy to transport. I would recommend these pedals for metal drummers on the extreme end, looking for speed or simply players who like to push the boundaries a little bit. I’ve never owned a pair, but I recommend you give them a try.

Summary

So there you have it, my top picks for double pedals if you’re a metal drummer. I’ve come to this conclusion not only of what is popular among most drummers, but also selected the most reputable brands. If you dig a little deeper, there are alternative pedals you can also fight that might better suit a particular need or different preference, so do your own research as well. I hope this gives you a solid start to your metal drumming journey, and I wish you all the best.