Aquiles Priester

• Name — Aquiles Priester • Landscape — yes • Born — 25 June 1971 • Birthplace — Outjo, South West Africa (now Outjo, Namibia) • Citizenship — Brazil • Occupation — Drummer • Years Active — 1987–present • Illustration — Priester in 2011

Priester was born in Outjo, South West Africa (now Namibia) to Brazilian parents. His first exposure to the instrument was at age four while watching a jazz ensemble perform on television. He moved to Brazil in 1977, and played football in teams like Foz do Iguaçu in Paraná, ABC, and Guairacá Flamenguinho 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. A notable student of Priester was Eloy Casagrande, who is currently the drummer of nu-metal band Slipknot. In 2006, Priester participated in Fábio Laguna's Freakeys project. 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. In 2013, it was announced that Priester had joined the prog metal band Midas Fate. On 9 September 2014, Priester was announced as Primal Fear's new drummer on the band's official Facebook page but left the band only months after. In January 2018, he left Noturnall where he is replaced by Henrique Pucci at the same year, along with Leo Mancini. Following after he left Noturnall, he also left Edu Falaschi's solo band, where he got replaced by Jean Gardinalli from the bands Eigenflame, Luttera, and Northtale in May 2024.

Priester has used Mapex Drums since 2001. He also endorses: Paiste Cymbals, Roland, AKG Microphones, JBL, Gibraltar Hardware, Evans Drum Heads, Pro-Mark Sticks, LP Percussion, Planet Waves, DW Pedals, Boss, Ahead Armor Drum Cases, Xtreme Ears, Urban Boards PsychoShoes, Power Click, Consulado do Rock and Lady Snake Rock Wear.

• Almah (2007) • Tony MacAlpine (2012–present) • Vinnie Moore (2013) • Primal Fear (2014–2015) • W.A.S.P. (2017–present) • Edu Falaschi (2017–2024) • DragonForce (2020)

• Rebirth (2001) • Hunters and Prey (EP) (2002) • Rebirth World Tour: Live in São Paulo (2003) • Temple of Shadows (2004) • Aurora Consurgens (2006)

• Nomad (2000)

• Freakeys (2006)

• 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) • Stronger Than Ever (2016) • Live in Brusque/SC Brazil (DVD) (2016)

• Noturnall (2014) • First Night Live (Live DVD) (2014) • Back to F*ck You up! (2015) • 9 (2017)

• House Of Bones EP(2012)

• About 2 Crash EP (2015) (only digital)

• Liquid Piece of Me (2007)

• Concrete Gardens (2015)

• The Glory of the Sacred Truth (2018) • Vera Cruz (2021) • Eldorado (2023)

• Inside My Drums (2004) • The Infallible Reason of my Freak Drumming (2010) • Aquiles Priester's TOP 100 Drum Fills (2013) – Daniel Piquê as video director • The PsychOctopus Play Along – 10 tracks of Hangar (2014) • Our Lives, 15 Years Later… Live in Studio! (2016) • All Access to Aquiles Priester's Drumming (2019) • All Secrets Of Vera Cruz Drumming + Unraveling Aquiles Priester’s Double Bass Technique (2022)

• Live in Brusque/SC, Brazil (2016)