Aquiles Priester

W.A.S.P., Tony MacAlpine, Hangar. Edu Falaschi, Solo 

"I have been using Shira Kashi Classic 2B Oak Wood Tip drumsticks since 2007– they're just an extension of my arms."

ABOUT Aquiles Priester

Aquiles Priester is considered to be amongst the world's best heavy metal drummers. His storied careers has allowed him to travel the world with renowned artists, attain significant endorsements, and gain international recognition for his talents.

Born in South Africa, Aquiles moved to Brazil while he was still a child, spending his childhood and part of his adolescence in Foz do Iguaçu, a city in the state of Paraná. In 1988, he moved to Porto Alegre, where he later founded heavy metal band Hangar.
Hangar would become the catalyst for the development of his now-infamous style. Hangar released six studio albums, an acoustic CD, and a live acoustic DVD. The band has toured sporadically since its inception, most recently in 2018.
From 2001 through 2007, Aquiles was a member of the band Angra, with whom he recorded three studio albums, an EP, and a live CD/DVD. Their album Rebirth went gold in Brazil. The band reunited for a tour in 2017.

Besides his own original projects, Aquiles has been summoned to back some of the greatest heavy metal artists of the last few decades. In 2000, he was invited by Paul Di'Anno, former singer of Iron Maiden, to record Nomad and tour Brazil. Aquiles has also recorded and toured with world-famous guitarist Tony MacAlpine, as well as American guitar virtuoso Vinnie Moore. In 2017, he was invited to drum for the American metal band WASP on their European tour.

Amongst many other notable accolades, Aquiles was one of seven drummers chosen from all over the world to take part in an audition to substitute Mike Portnoy in Dream Theater. Not long after that, he was ranked 5th in American Modern Drummer's best Prog Metal drummers, alongside names like Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Gavin Harrison, and Marco Minnemann. In 2015 Aquiles was selected best "Hard Rock" drummer by American publication "Drum!"

Aquiles has participated in more than 500 drum clinics in various countries and has taken part in some of the biggest drum festivals in the world. He has released an autobiography, a textbook on the study of the double bass, a "Top 100 Drum Fills" book and a drumming play-along book. Aquiles also has numerous instructional DVDs to his name.