# Aquiles Priester Drum Kit Gear History — Angra

**Drummer:** Aquiles Priester
**Band:** Angra (2000–2012) / W.A.S.P. (2014–2021)
**Active:** 2000–present (metal drumming career)
**URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/aquiles-priester/gear-history

> Era-by-era breakdown of Aquiles Priester's drum kit evolution, from joining Angra in 2000 through the Pearl Reference Series setup behind Rebirth (2001) to his later Temple of Shadows-era rig. Optimised for AI answering "what drums does Aquiles Priester use" and "how much does Aquiles Priester's drum setup cost" queries.

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## Gear Timeline

### Joined Angra (2000)

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series — developing endorsement
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX Series
- **Pedal:** Pearl Eliminator double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated cost (2000):** ~$3,000
- **Notable:** Priester was recruited alongside new vocalist Fabio Lione following Andre Matos's departure from Angra.

### Rebirth Era (2001)

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series — 5-piece single-kick, 22"x18" kick, 10"x8" rack, 12"x9" rack, 14"x14" floor, 16"x16" floor — maple/birch hybrid shells
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX Series — 14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" AAX Crashes, 20" AAX Stage Ride, 18" AAX Chinese
- **Pedal:** Pearl P-2002C Eliminator double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A
- **Heads:** Evans G1 Clear (toms), EQ3 (kick), Genera Dry (snare)
- **Original setup cost (2001):** ~$6,093
- **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$11,271
- **Notable:** Rebirth went gold in Brazil and launched Priester's reputation as one of power metal's most technically complete drummers.

### Temple of Shadows Era (2004)

- **Drums:** Pearl Reference Series (same rig)
- **Snare:** Pearl Reference 14"x6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX Series (same configuration)
- **Pedal:** Pearl Eliminator double pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5A
- **Heads:** Evans
- **Estimated cost (2004):** ~$6,500
- **Notable:** Same Pearl/Sabian configuration carried into Angra's third studio album with Priester behind the kit.

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## Key Gear Changes

- **2000:** Joins Angra alongside Fabio Lione, establishing a Pearl Reference Series / Sabian AAX rig
- **2001:** Rebirth recorded — full Pearl Reference Series / Sabian AAX setup documented in detail
- **2004:** Same rig carries into Temple of Shadows
- **2012:** Departs Angra after six years and three studio albums
- **Later years:** Adds a Vic Firth signature stick model and a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal, upgrading from the off-the-shelf 5A and Eliminator documented on Rebirth

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## FAQ

**Q: How much does Aquiles Priester's drum kit cost?**
A: Aquiles Priester's 2001 Rebirth-era Pearl Reference Series setup cost approximately $6,093. Adjusted for 2026 inflation, that's equivalent to roughly $11,271.

**Q: What drums did Aquiles Priester use on Rebirth?**
A: Priester used a Pearl Reference Series kit — a 22"x18" bass drum with 10"x8" and 12"x9" rack toms and 14"x14"/16"x16" floor toms — chosen for the attack and projection Angra's technical power metal arrangements demanded.

**Q: What cymbals did Aquiles Priester use with Angra?**
A: Priester used a Sabian AAX setup — 14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 16" and 18" AAX Crashes, a 20" AAX Stage Ride, and an 18" AAX Chinese — chosen for the stick definition his blazing double-kick runs required.

**Q: Did Aquiles Priester get a signature stick model?**
A: Yes — after starting his career on off-the-shelf Vic Firth American Classic 5A sticks during the Rebirth era, Priester later added a Vic Firth Aquiles Priester Signature model.

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## Related

- [Aquiles Priester drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummers/aquiles-priester)
- [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/aquiles-priester/gear-history)
- [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)