# Aquiles Priester Drum Setup — Temple of Shadows & Hangar Era Gear Guide

> Aquiles Priester's complete drum setup breakdown: Mapex Saturn shells, Sabian HHX cymbals, Axis double pedal, and the gear that powered Temple of Shadows and Angra's greatest live performances. Full guide for power metal drummers.

**Type:** Kit Breakdown
**Drummer(s):** [Aquiles Priester](/llms/drummers/aquiles-priester.md)
**Band / Album:** Angra (Temple of Shadows era), Hangar, W.A.S.P.
**Genre:** Power Metal

## Overview

Aquiles Priester's drum setup during Angra's most celebrated era — the albums Rebirth (2001), Temple of Shadows (2004), and Aurora Consurgens (2006) — is the configuration that established him as the defining voice of Brazilian power metal drumming. Built around a Mapex Saturn kit, Sabian HHX cymbals, and the Axis A double pedal, this rig defined an entire era of technical metal drumming.

Born June 19, 1971, in São Paulo, Brazil, Priester joined Angra in 2000 and immediately raised the bar for what power metal drumming could demand. The Sabian HHX endorsement and the Axis pedal remained constants throughout the classic era (2000–2012) across his work with Angra, Hangar, and W.A.S.P.

## Drum Kit

- **Drums:** Mapex Saturn Series
- **Configuration:** Double bass (two 22" kick drums), rack toms: 10" x 8", 12" x 9", 13" x 10"; floor toms: 16" x 14", 18" x 16"
- **Shell Material:** Maple/walnut hybrid — warm punch with focused midrange attack
- **Finish:** Natural or custom lacquer (varied by tour)
- **Estimated Value:** $2,500–4,500 (Saturn Series shell pack, vintage used market)

The Mapex Saturn was Priester's kit for the recordings that cemented his reputation. The maple/walnut hybrid shell construction delivered warm tone with midrange punch that cut through Angra's dense orchestral arrangements. Later in the classic era (2008–2012) he transitioned to Pearl Reference Series drums, maintaining the Sabian HHX cymbal endorsement throughout.

### Snare

- **Brand/Model:** Mapex Saturn Custom Snare / Pearl Reference Free-Floating
- **Size:** 14" x 6.5"
- **Shell:** Steel or maple (context-dependent)
- **Heads:** Remo Coated Ambassador (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant)
- **Tuning:** Medium-high for live projection; medium for studio warmth
- **Estimated Value:** $400–900

## Cymbals

**Brand:** Sabian HHX Series
**Estimated Value:** $2,200–3,500 (full Sabian HHX touring setup)

| Type | Model | Notes |
|------|-------|-------|
| Hi-Hats | Sabian HHX 14" Hi-Hats | Fast, articulate attack for rapid patterns over blazing double bass |
| Crash | Sabian HHX 16" Crash | Quick-response crash for sharp accents in fast passages |
| Crash | Sabian HHX 18" Crash | Primary workhorse crash for section endings |
| Crash | Sabian HHX 20" Crash | Full-bodied crash for climactic moments |
| Ride | Sabian HHX 21" Ride | Clear bell with controlled wash for groove sections |
| China | Sabian HHX 18" China | Aggressive accent cymbal for breakdown moments |
| Splash | Sabian HH 10" Splash | Quick accent punctuation in faster passages |

Sabian's HHX series uses an unlathed top surface that produces a darker, more complex tone — suited to Angra's orchestral arrangements by adding character rather than competing with keyboards and guitars.

## Hardware & Pedals

- **Bass Drum Pedals:** Axis A Double Pedal — ultra-light longboard design for maximum speed with minimal resistance; enabled 180–220+ BPM sustained patterns
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth Aquiles Priester Signature — custom balance for power and speed at extreme tempos
- **Hi-Hat Stand:** Professional-grade stand with precise clutch adjustment
- **Throne:** Roc-n-Soc Nitro Throne — hydraulic seat adjustment for ergonomic positioning during long sets

The Axis A double pedal was the critical hardware choice enabling Priester's extreme double-bass speeds. Its ultra-light longboard and frictionless bearings reward relaxed ankle technique and penalize tension — the pedal physically demands the efficient, relaxed stroke that Priester has cited as central to his approach.

## Drumheads

- **Bass Drum (Batter):** Remo Powerstroke 3
- **Bass Drum (Resonant):** Remo Powerstroke 3 ported or Emperor
- **Toms (Batter):** Remo Emperor Coated
- **Toms (Resonant):** Remo Ambassador Clear
- **Snare (Batter):** Remo Coated Ambassador
- **Snare (Resonant):** Remo Ambassador Snare Side

## Key Facts

- Born June 19, 1971, in São Paulo, Brazil
- Joined Angra in 2000; classic era setup documented 2000–2012
- Mapex Saturn + Sabian HHX + Axis A: the configuration on Temple of Shadows (2004) and Aurora Consurgens (2006)
- "Spread Your Fire" (Temple of Shadows) features continuous 16th-note kick at approximately 182 BPM
- Sabian HHX endorsement throughout the entire Angra classic era
- Later setup (2012–2022): Pearl Reference + Meinl Byzance + Pearl Demon Drive (W.A.S.P./Hangar)
- Current setup (2023–present): Trick Drums + Ufip + DW 9000 (Angra return)

## Gear Evolution

| Era | Years | Drums | Cymbals | Pedals |
|-----|-------|-------|---------|--------|
| Early Career / Hangar | 1996–2000 | Mapex Saturn | Sabian HH Series | Axis A |
| Angra Classic Era | 2000–2012 | Mapex Saturn → Pearl Reference | Sabian HHX | Axis A → DW |
| W.A.S.P. / Hangar Focus | 2012–2022 | Pearl Reference | Meinl Byzance | Pearl Demon Drive |
| Angra Return | 2023–Present | Trick Drums Custom | Ufip Series | DW 9000 |

## FAQ

**Q: What is Aquiles Priester's drum setup?**
A: Aquiles Priester's classic era drum setup — on Angra's Temple of Shadows (2004) and Aurora Consurgens (2006) — used a Mapex Saturn Series kit in double-bass configuration, Sabian HHX cymbals (14" hi-hats, multiple crashes, 21" ride, 18" China), and the Axis A double pedal. His current setup uses Trick Drums custom shells, Ufip cymbals, and a DW 9000 double pedal.

**Q: What cymbals did Aquiles Priester use on Temple of Shadows?**
A: Aquiles Priester used Sabian HHX cymbals throughout the Angra classic era (2000–2012), including the Temple of Shadows sessions. His setup included 14" hi-hats, crashes from 16" to 20", a 21" ride, and an 18" China. Sabian HHX's unlathed top surface produces a darker tone suited to Angra's orchestral arrangements.

**Q: What double pedal did Aquiles Priester use with Angra?**
A: Aquiles Priester used the Axis A Double Pedal during the Angra classic era. The Axis A's ultra-light longboard action and frictionless bearings enable the extreme double-bass speeds (180–220+ BPM) that characterize his playing on "Spread Your Fire." He later transitioned to DW pedals and currently uses the DW 9000.

**Q: What drum kit did Aquiles Priester use on Rebirth?**
A: Aquiles Priester used a Mapex Saturn Series kit for his early Angra recordings including Rebirth (2001). The Saturn's maple/walnut hybrid shells provided warm, focused tone suited to Angra's power metal arrangements. He transitioned to Pearl Reference drums mid-era while maintaining the Sabian HHX endorsement.

**Q: Does Aquiles Priester still use Sabian cymbals?**
A: Aquiles Priester used Sabian HHX cymbals through the Angra classic era (2000–2012). He later moved to Meinl Byzance (W.A.S.P./Hangar years, 2012–2022) and currently endorses Ufip cymbals for the Angra return era. The Sabian HHX era is most associated with his celebrated recordings on Temple of Shadows and Aurora Consurgens.

## Related

- [Drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/aquiles-priester)
- [Current drum kit guide](https://metalforge.io/articles/aquiles-priester-drum-kit-guide)
- [Drummer licks](https://metalforge.io/drummers/aquiles-priester/licks)
- [Double-Bass Technique: Fastest Metal Drummers](https://metalforge.io/technique/double-bass/drummers)

**Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/aquiles-priester-drum-setup

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*Last updated: 2026-06-20 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*