Aquiles Priester vs Morgan Ågren — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Aquiles Priester (Angra / W.A.S.P.) vs Morgan Ågren (Mats/Morgan Band / Kaipa / Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Aquiles Priester use?
Aquiles Priester uses Pearl Reference Series with Sabian HHX & AAX Series (14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" HHX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" HHX Groove Ride, 18" AAX Chinese). Aquiles Priester plays his own Mapex Saturn Evolution All Maple signature kit with Paiste cymbals (a custom red-coated set including his 18" Psychoctopus Giga Bell Ride), driven by a DW 9000 Series double pedal and his own ProMark Aquiles Priester Signature sticks. Morgan Ågren plays a Sonor SQ2 Beech kit with a Sonor Designer 14"x5" or 14"x6" snare and Paiste Signature / 2002 Series cymbals, using Sonor hardware paired with a Sonor Giant Step Double Pedal and Vic Firth sticks.
What drum kit does Morgan Ågren use?
Morgan Ågren uses Sonor SQ2 Designer Series with Paiste Signature & 2002 Series (14" Signature Heavy Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" Signature Fast Crashes, 22" Signature Dry Heavy Ride, 18" 2002 China). Aquiles Priester plays his own Mapex Saturn Evolution All Maple signature kit with Paiste cymbals (a custom red-coated set including his 18" Psychoctopus Giga Bell Ride), driven by a DW 9000 Series double pedal and his own ProMark Aquiles Priester Signature sticks. Morgan Ågren plays a Sonor SQ2 Beech kit with a Sonor Designer 14"x5" or 14"x6" snare and Paiste Signature / 2002 Series cymbals, using Sonor hardware paired with a Sonor Giant Step Double Pedal and Vic Firth sticks.
Which is better, Aquiles Priester or Morgan Ågren?
Aquiles Priester and Morgan Ågren both channel jazz-fusion technique into metal, but from opposite ends of the genre. Priester applies fusion-honed speed and precision to power and progressive metal's bombastic, anthemic side, thrilling arena crowds with Angra and W.A.S.P. Ågren applies genuine jazz-fusion complexity to progressive metal's more exploratory, art-rock side, having earned Frank Zappa's personal endorsement before Devin Townsend sought him out decades later. Priester is the crowd-pleasing virtuoso; Ågren is the musician's musician — together they show how far fusion technique can stretch across metal's spectrum.