On February 14, 2022, Mapex and the brand’s endorser Aquiles Priester presented a new, very elaborate Saturn Evolution drum kit.
The artist calls the latest creation “THE GIGANTIC PSYCHOCTOPUS DRUM KIT”.
Unfortunately, Aquiles Priester and Mapex do not state the exact shell sizes but you can take a close look at them thanks to pictures taken by @alexsolcaphotography.
Saturn Evolution kits have a unique mounting system under the lug line. The manufacturer ensures that such a solution enhances the full resonance of the drum shell and allows the instrument to sing in an open, clear tone.
The control knob acts as a built-in equalizer with which to dampen the sound and have control of the decay.
The manufacturer provides us with walnut drum shells as well as hybrid ones, which combine birch with walnut and maple with walnut. They come in a wide selection of sizes, colours and finishes.
Mapex is one of the shortest running and fastest growing drum companies in the world. The brand was founded in 1989 and is associated with the Taiwanese KHS Musical Instrument Company. Their instruments are manufactured in China. Over the last 30 years, the company has built a solid reputation in the industry with excellent drum kits, percussion instruments, accessories as well as great snare drums and hardware. The manufacturer is distinguished by bold finishes of its instruments. Mapex tries to offer its product at prices well below competing brands, and it has received very positive reviews based on the value-for-money criterion. Mapex is already a brand in itself, and some acoustic drums models have become legendary (e.g. Mapex Tornado as a entry-level instrument, Mapex Saturn, or the Black Panther in particular).
Mapex have managed to gather quite anumber of legendary drummers on their roster. The brand’s most notable endorsers include: Chris Adler (Lamb of God), Tony Coleman (BB King), Dom Famularo (educator), Claus Hessler (educator), Rashid Williams (John Legend) and, of course, Russ Miller. These instrumentalists show that the manufacturer’s instruments are very versatile, and drum kits such as Saturn or Black Panther are 100% professional acoustic drums.
The Mapex lines (starting from entry-level instruments) are as follows):
- Mapex Tornado – a reasonably priced and complete drum kit for beginners
- Mapex Storm and Mapex Mars – louder than the Tornado
- Mapex Armory – a semi-professional kit made from maple
- Mapex Saturn V – the most popular and professional acoustic kit currently offered by the company
- Mapex Black Panther – flagship instrument, which, in our humble opinion, is just as excellent as the snare drums bearing the same name.
The company achieved a similar success with its line of premium cymbal stands called FALCON, which has all the features of professional equipment and can cost up to 30% less than the competition’s products. The company was one of the first to release instruments with chrome or black chrome hardware, as well as a selection of single or twin foot pedals.
Aquiles Priester (born on June 25, 1971 in Otjo, South Africa) is a Brazilian drummer, who has made a name for himself as a long-standing member of the Brazilian prog metal band Hangar, which he has been playing with since 1997. Between 2001 and 2008, he was also a member of the band Angra.
He has been playing in the Frekeys since 2006. In 2011, he did not pass the audition for the drummer of the American progressive metal legends Dream Theater. However, since 2013, he has been a member of Midas Fate and Noturnall. In late 2014, Priester joined the German speed metal legends Primal Fear, and since 2017 he has been touring with W.A.S.P.
Aquiles Priester also collaborated with Paul Di’Anno – former lead singer of Iron Maiden. Since 2011, he has been a member of the live band accompanying the American guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine.
The Artist is endorsed by such brands and companies as: Latin Percussion, Mapex, Roland, AKG, Boss, UBS, Paiste, Evans, Pro-Mark and Gibraltar Hardware.
More photos can be found on Aquiles Priester‘s official website: https://aquilespriester.com/site/eng-index/
See also:
Craig Blundell presents his Mapex drum kit exclusively for beatit.tv: https://en.beatit.tv/craig-blundells-steve-hackett-genesis-revisited-world-tour-drum-kit/
