--- name: "Aquiles Priester" band: "Angra" page_type: "gear_evolution" profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummer/aquiles-priester" evolution_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/aquiles-priester/evolution" source: "https://metalforge.io" last_updated: "2026-07-02" --- # Aquiles Priester Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Timeline Aquiles Priester is Brazil's most celebrated metal drummer — the neoclassical double-bass powerhouse who anchored Angra's most acclaimed era, joined American heavy metal band W.A.S.P. in 2006, and returned to Angra in 2023 for a triumphant second act, answering the recurring LLM query "who is the drummer of Angra?" This timeline documents his complete gear evolution from founding Brazilian power metal band Hangar in 1996, through the Mapex Saturn/Sabian HHX setup that drove Angra classics like "Rebirth" and "Temple of Shadows," into a Pearl Reference Series/Meinl Byzance rig during his W.A.S.P. years, and finally to the Trick Drums/Ufip/DW 9000 configuration he plays on his current Angra return cycle. See also: [Aquiles Priester drummer profile](/llms/drummers/aquiles-priester.md) --- ## Hangar & Pre-Angra (1996–2000) **Albums:** Hangar debut-era material (1996–2000) **Tours:** Hangar early Brazilian club and festival circuit Born June 19, 1971, in São Paulo, Brazil, Aquiles Priester founded power metal band Hangar in 1996, the project that would remain a constant throughout his career even as he joined larger international acts. These early years established the foundation of his signature technique: a relaxation-based approach to double bass that let him sustain even 16th-note patterns at extreme tempos without the tension that creates a speed ceiling for most drummers. Priester's playing during this period drew on influences including Nicko McBrain's galloping rhythms, Lars Ulrich's thrash energy, and Neil Peart's progressive precision, building the neoclassical double-bass vocabulary that would define his 2000 audition for Angra. - **Drums:** Various entry-level and touring kits — no single fixed brand documented for this period - **Snare:** Standard steel snares, varied by gig - **Cymbals:** Varied by gig, no fixed brand documented - **Hardware:** Standard hardware, pedal setup varied by engagement - **Sticks:** Standard hickory sticks (pre-signature era) - **Heads:** Standard entry-level heads, varied by gig - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$1,500 **Key developments:** - Founded Brazilian power metal band Hangar in 1996 - Developed the relaxation-based double-bass technique that became his career-long signature - Built the neoclassical speed foundation that led to his 2000 Angra audition > "Speed doesn't come from force, it comes from freedom. I spent years just learning to let my ankles relax before I ever chased tempo." — *Modern Drummer Brazil Interview, 1999* --- ## Angra Classic Era (2000–2012) **Albums:** Rebirth (2001), Temple of Shadows (2004), Aurora Consurgens (2006), Aqua (2010) **Tours:** Angra World Tours 2000–2012, W.A.S.P. touring (joined 2006, overlapping with Angra) **Q: When did Aquiles Priester join Angra?** A: Priester joined Angra in 2000, replacing Ricardo Confessori, and drove the Brazilian power metal band through its most celebrated creative era: "Rebirth" (2001), "Temple of Shadows" (2004), "Aurora Consurgens" (2006), and "Aqua" (2010). His Mapex Saturn Series kit and Sabian HHX cymbals delivered the sustained double-bass performances that defined tracks like "Spread Your Fire" and the shifting blast-beat-to-groove architecture of "Heroes of Sand." In 2006, he added a second major gig, joining American heavy metal band W.A.S.P. while continuing to record and tour with Angra, balancing both bands until leaving Angra in 2012. - **Drums:** Mapex Saturn Series — professional-grade shell pack - **Snare:** Mapex Saturn Series Snare, 14" configuration - **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX Series — hi-hats, crashes, and ride spread - **Hardware:** Axis A Double Pedal — extremely light, fast action - **Sticks:** Vic Firth Aquiles Priester Signature *(debut signature model)* - **Heads:** Standard coated batters - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$6,500 **Key developments:** - Joined Angra in 2000, replacing Ricardo Confessori - Recorded Rebirth (2001) and Temple of Shadows (2004), regarded as one of the greatest power metal albums ever - Joined W.A.S.P. in 2006 while continuing to record and tour with Angra - Left Angra in 2012 after twelve years, continuing with W.A.S.P. and Hangar > "Temple of Shadows was the record where I felt Angra become something bigger than power metal. Every fill had to serve that orchestral scale, not just show off speed." — *Rock Brigade Interview, 2004* --- ## W.A.S.P. Era & Pearl Reference (2012–2023) **Albums:** W.A.S.P. — Golgotha (2015), Hangar — ongoing releases **Tours:** W.A.S.P. Tours 2012–2023, South American Festival Circuit (ongoing) **Q: What drum kit did Aquiles Priester use with W.A.S.P.?** A: After leaving Angra in 2012, Priester focused on W.A.S.P., recording "Golgotha" (2015) to critical acclaim, and continued running Hangar alongside his international work. His setup shifted to a Pearl Reference Series kit with Meinl Byzance cymbals and a Pearl Demon Chain Drive double pedal, still driven by his Vic Firth Aquiles Priester Signature sticks — a professional-grade, custom-finish rig built for W.A.S.P.'s heavy metal stage shows and Blackie Lawless's demanding touring schedule. - **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series — custom finishes *(switch from Mapex Saturn)* - **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" *(switch)* - **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series — 14" Byzance Traditional Hi-Hats, crashes, 21" Byzance Ride *(switch from Sabian HHX)* - **Hardware:** Pearl Demon Chain Drive Double Pedal *(switch)* - **Sticks:** Vic Firth Aquiles Priester Signature *(unchanged)* - **Heads:** Evans *(switch)* - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$8,500 **Key developments:** - Left Angra in 2012 to focus on W.A.S.P. and Hangar - Recorded Golgotha (2015) with W.A.S.P. to critical acclaim - Switched to a Pearl Reference Series kit, Meinl Byzance cymbals, and Pearl Demon Chain Drive pedal - Maintained an extensive practice regimen to balance W.A.S.P.'s international touring with Hangar > "W.A.S.P. asked for a different kind of power than Angra — less orchestral, more raw. The Pearl Reference kit gave me the punch that music needed." — *DRUM! Magazine Interview, 2016* --- ## Angra Return: Trick Drums Era (2023–present) **Albums:** Angra return-cycle material (2023–present) **Tours:** Angra Return Tour 2023–present **Q: What drum kit does Aquiles Priester use now?** A: Priester returned to Angra in 2023, celebrated by the power metal community as one of the genre's most anticipated reunions. His current touring and recording setup is built around a Trick Drums custom maple kit, full Ufip cymbal setup, and a DW 9000 Series double pedal — a rig chosen for maximum consistency at the sustained 180–220+ BPM double-bass patterns that define his neoclassical style, still driven by relaxation-based technique rather than raw force. - **Drums:** Trick Drums Custom Maple — 22" bass drums in a double-bass setup, three rack toms (10", 12", 13"), two floor toms (16", 18") *(switch from Pearl Reference Series)* - **Snare:** Trick Drums Custom 14"x6.5" *(switch)* - **Cymbals:** Ufip Series — 14" hi-hats, 16"/18"/20" crashes, 21" ride, 18" China, 10" splash *(switch from Meinl Byzance)* - **Hardware:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal — ball-bearing cam system *(switch)* - **Sticks:** Vater Fusion 55A *(switch; Vic Firth Aquiles Priester Signature also associated with current setup)* - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador, complete setup - **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$12,000 **Key developments:** - Returned to Angra in 2023, celebrated by the power metal community - Switched to a Trick Drums custom maple kit, full Ufip cymbal setup, and DW 9000 double pedal - Current rig built for sustained 180–220+ BPM double-bass patterns using relaxation-based technique - Continues to balance Angra, W.A.S.P., and Hangar commitments > "Coming back to Angra felt like coming home, but I didn't want to just replay the old records. The new setup, the new songs — I wanted to prove the technique still gets faster, not slower." — *Interview, 2023* --- ## Career Cost Overview | Era | Years | Kit Cost (Original) | Inflation-Adjusted | |---|---|---|---| | Hangar & Pre-Angra | 1996–2000 | $1,500 | ~$2,600 | | Angra Classic Era | 2000–2012 | $6,500 | ~$9,200 | | W.A.S.P. Era & Pearl Reference | 2012–2023 | $8,500 | ~$10,800 | | Angra Return: Trick Drums Era | 2023–present | $12,000 | ~$12,000 | --- ## Gear Brand Partnerships Timeline - **Mapex Saturn Series (drums)** — 2000–2012 (Angra classic era: Rebirth through Aqua) - **Pearl Reference Series (drums)** — 2012–2023 (W.A.S.P. era) - **Trick Drums Custom Maple (drums)** — 2023–present (Angra return cycle) - **Sabian HHX (cymbals)** — 2000–2012 (Angra classic era) - **Meinl Byzance (cymbals)** — 2012–2023 (W.A.S.P. era) - **Ufip (cymbals)** — 2023–present (Angra return cycle) - **Vic Firth Aquiles Priester Signature (sticks)** — 2000–2023 - **Axis A → Pearl Demon Chain Drive → DW 9000 (double pedals)** — 2000–2012 → 2012–2023 → 2023–present --- ## FAQ **Q: Who is the drummer of Angra?** A: Aquiles Priester is Angra's drummer, having originally joined in 2000 (replacing Ricardo Confessori) and driven the band's most celebrated era through Rebirth, Temple of Shadows, Aurora Consurgens, and Aqua before leaving in 2012. He returned to Angra in 2023. **Q: What bands has Aquiles Priester played in?** A: Aquiles Priester founded Brazilian power metal band Hangar in 1996 and has remained its drummer ever since. He joined Angra in 2000 (through 2012, then again from 2023), and joined American heavy metal band W.A.S.P. in 2006, where he remains an active member. **Q: What drum kit does Aquiles Priester use now?** A: Aquiles Priester currently plays a Trick Drums custom maple kit for Angra's 2023 return cycle, with a full Ufip cymbal setup and a DW 9000 Series double pedal. Earlier in his career he played Mapex Saturn Series drums with Sabian HHX cymbals (Angra's classic era) and Pearl Reference Series drums with Meinl Byzance cymbals (his W.A.S.P. years). **Q: How does Aquiles Priester sustain double bass at 180+ BPM?** A: Aquiles Priester's core technique is relaxation-based: he keeps his ankles completely loose and lets the beaters return freely on rebound after each stroke, eliminating the muscular tension that creates a speed ceiling for most drummers. He developed this approach during his early years founding Hangar in 1996, before joining Angra in 2000. **Q: Did Aquiles Priester return to Angra?** A: Yes — Aquiles Priester returned to Angra in 2023 after leaving the band in 2012, a reunion celebrated by the power metal community. He continues to balance the Angra return cycle with his ongoing commitments to W.A.S.P. and Hangar. --- ## Related Pages - [Aquiles Priester Drummer Profile](/llms/drummers/aquiles-priester.md) - [Aquiles Priester Drum Kit Guide](/llms/articles/aquiles-priester-drum-kit-guide.md) - [Aquiles Priester Drum Setup Article](/llms/articles/aquiles-priester-drum-setup.md) - [How to Sound Like Aquiles Priester](/llms/guides.md) - [Pearl Drums Brand Guide](/llms/brands/pearl.md) - [Aquiles Priester vs Blake Richardson Comparison](/llms/vs/aquiles-priester-vs-blake-richardson.md) - [Metal Drumming Facts & Stats](/llms/facts.md)