Aquiles Priester
| Aquiles Priester | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
June 25, 1971 Otjo, South Africa |
| Genres | Thrash metal, heavy metal, melodic death metal, speed metal, symphonic metal, power metal, progressive metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Associated acts | Hangar, Angra, Freakeys, Di'Anno, Spartacus, Pistys Sofhia, Infra Blue, Midas Fate, Apocalipse Now, House Of Bones, Noturnall, Primal Fear, Tony Macalpine |
| Website |
www |
Aquiles Priester (born June 25, 1971) is a South African-born Brazilian drummer, currently the drummer of the Brazilian power metal band Hangar and progressive metal bands Midas Fate and Noturnall. In 2006, Aquiles participated in Fábio Laguna's Freakeys project. He is a former member of Angra.[1]
He plays Paiste cymbals and Evans drum heads.
Biography
Aquiles Priester was born in Otjo, South Africa. His first exposure to the instrument was at age four while watching a jazz ensemble perform on television.[2]
Aquiles moved to Brazil in 1977, and played football until 1985. In 1985 he attended the "Rock in Rio" festival where he decided to become a drummer. Although he began playing on cans, he would eventually assemble a set consisting of a snare, tom (which he borrowed from his school), bass drum, hihat, and a cymbal, which he hung from his roof. His biggest influences are Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden and Deen Castronovo of Journey.
A local television band called The Tropical Band observed his performances and invited him to play a couple of songs; later the band Stylo Livre (freestyle) recruited him. Priester would struggle for years to come, but eventually find success with metal outfits throughout Brazil, and eventually receive the chance to audition for Angra, in 2000. He continued to play with Angra until their hiatus at the end of 2007 but eventually left the band to focus on his other band, Hangar. In 2010 he auditioned, along with six other drummers, for the chance to replace Dream Theater's former drummer, Mike Portnoy. The band ultimately decided to hire Mike Mangini as their new drummer.[3]
In 2013 it was announced that Aquiles had joined the prog metal band Midas Fate which also counts with Mike DiMeo on vocals.
On September 9, 2014, Aquiles was announced as Primal Fear's new drummer on the band's official Facebook page but left the band only months after, due to conflicts with his other projects.
Equipment
Aquiles endorses: Paiste Cymbals, Mapex Drums, Evans Drumheads, Pro-Mark Drumsticks, Audio-Technica, DW 9000 Pedals, Gibraltar Hardware, Zoom, Staff Drum, Santo Angelo, Urban Boards, Ciclotron, Shred Cases, AeroRic Custom Drums, Tander Tattoo Studio and Lady Snake Rock Wear.
Discography
With Hangar
- Last Time (1999)
- Inside Your Soul (2001)
- The Reason of Your Conviction (2007)
- Last Time Was Just the Beginning (2008)
- Infallible (2009)
- Acoustic, but Plugged In! (2011)
- The best of 15 years: Based on a true history. (2014)
- "Stonger Than Ever" (2016)
With Angra
- Rebirth (2001)
- Hunters and Prey (2002)
- Live in São Paulo (2003)
- Temple of Shadows (2004)
- Aurora Consurgens (2006)
With Freakeys
- Freakeys (2006)
With Noturnall
- Noturnall (2014)
With Tony MacAlpine
- Concrete Gardens (2015)
Apart from these acts, Aquiles Priester has also been involved in Di'anno (Nomad - 2000) and Serj (Liquid Piece of Me - 2007).
Videography
- Inside My Drums (2004)
- The Infallible Reason of my Freak Drumming (2010)
- Aquiles Priester's TOP 100 Drum Fills (2014) - Daniel Piquê as Video Director.
References
- ↑ "Angra: More Footage From The Studio Posted Online". Blabbermouth. April 6, 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
- ↑ "Aquiles Priester Bio". Retrieved 27 November 2013.
- ↑ "It's Official: MIKE MANGINI Is New DREAM THEATER Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 26 November 2013.