Aquiles Priester
Encyclopedia
Aquiles Priester is the drummer of the Brazil
ian power metal
band Hangar. In 2006, Aquiles participated in Fábio Laguna's Freakeys project. He is a former member of Angra
.
. His first exposure to the instrument was at age four while watching a jazz ensemble perform on television.
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. One of his biggest influences is Nicko McBrain
of (Iron Maiden
). 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.
, Mapex, Evans, Pro-Mark
, Audio-Technica
, DW Pedals, Gibraltar Hardware, Zoom, Staff Drum, Santo Angelo, Urban Boards, Ciclotron, Shred Cases, AeroRic Custom Drums, Tander Tattoo Studio and Lady Snake Rock Wear.
Aquiles has led various drum clinics throughout the Americas, especially the ones in Santiago
, Viña del Mar
, and Concepción
(cities of Chile) with great acceptance and technique.
Apart from these acts, Aquiles Priester has also been involved in Di'anno (Nomad - 2000) and Serj (Liquid Piece of Me - 2007).
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Hangar. In 2006, Aquiles participated in Fábio Laguna's Freakeys project. He is a former member of Angra
Angra (band)
Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
.
Biography
Aquiles Priester was born in Otjo, South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. His first exposure to the instrument was at age four while watching a jazz ensemble perform on television.
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. One of his biggest influences is Nicko McBrain
Nicko McBrain
Michael Henry "Nicko" McBrain is an English musician, best known as the drummer for Iron Maiden, which he joined in 1982, prior to which he had played for Streetwalkers, Pat Travers, and the French political band, Trust.-Biography:...
of (Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
). 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
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
's former drummer, Mike Portnoy
Mike Portnoy
Michael Stephen "Mike" Portnoy is an American drummer primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and a co-founder of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, as well as the temporary drummer for the hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold. Known for his drumming prowess and technical...
. The band ultimately decided to hire Mike Mangini
Mike Mangini
Mike Mangini is an American drummer, and the current drummer for the progressive metal band Dream Theater. He has played for Annihilator, Extreme, James LaBrie, and Steve Vai, among others. He lectured at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and is also known for his work as a session musician...
as their new drummer.
Equipment
Aquiles endorses: PaistePaiste
Paiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
, Mapex, Evans, Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company owned by founder Herb Brochstein. It is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands.-History:...
, Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica
, established in 1962 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a company that designs and manufactures professional wired and wireless microphones, headphones, phonographic magnetic cartridges, and other audio equipment. One of their most famous products was a battery-operated, portable record player...
, DW Pedals, Gibraltar Hardware, Zoom, Staff Drum, Santo Angelo, Urban Boards, Ciclotron, Shred Cases, AeroRic Custom Drums, Tander Tattoo Studio and Lady Snake Rock Wear.
Aquiles has led various drum clinics throughout the Americas, especially the ones in Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar , is a city and commune on central Chile's Pacific coast. Its long stretches of white sandy beaches are a major attraction for national and international tourists. The city is Chile's main tourist attraction. Known as "La Ciudad Jardín" , Viña del Mar is a Chilean Municipality located...
, and Concepción
Concepción, Chile
Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of Concepción Province and of the Biobío Region or Region VIII. Greater Concepción is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with 889,725 inhabitants...
(cities of Chile) with great acceptance and technique.
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)
With Angra
- RebirthRebirth (Angra album)Rebirth is the fourth album by Angra, the first since a major restructuring of the band's line-up.-Track listing:#"In Excelsis" - 1:03#"Nova Era" - 4:52...
(2001) - Hunters and PreyHunters and PreyHunters and Prey is an EP by the Power metal band Angra.-Track listing:# "Live and Learn" - 4:12# "Bleeding Heart" - 4:04# "Hunters and Prey" - 6:29...
(2002) - Live in São Paulo (2003)
- Temple of ShadowsTemple of ShadowsTemple of Shadows is a concept album by the power metal band Angra and was released in 2004 by Paradoxx Music in Brazil and SPV label Steamhammer in the rest of the world...
(2004) - Aurora ConsurgensAurora Consurgens (album)Aurora Consurgens is an album by the power metal band Angra. It was released in October 2006 by Paradoxx Music in Brazil and SPV label Steamhammer in the rest of the world...
(2006)
With Freakeys
- Freakeys (2006)
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)