Dutch drummer who plays for the symphonic metal band Epica and the symphonic death metal band MaYaN, both created and led by guitarist Mark Jansen.
Van Weesenbeek started as a 3-year-old smashing furniture with spoons and forks before discovering his dad’s drum kit. Inspired by bands like Cream, and later on bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Morbid Angel, he then took drum classes. He later joined a marching band and at the age of 15 started a band, Pandaemonium, and joined others such as Downslide & Conspiracy. He studied at the Conservatorium of Rotterdam.
Van Weesenbeek joined God Dethroned in 2003. In 2006 he recorded the drumming parts for the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica’s album The Divine Conspiracy. On 3 December 2007 Weesenbeek became a full-time member of Epica.
Ariën also joined the Dutch symphonic band MaYaN in 2010, and is still playing shows and recording albums with them.
In 2023, Epica played 3 stadium concerts as support for Metallica.
Van Weesenbeek possesses a Bachelor of Music.
Discography
• Pandaemonium: Misanthropic (demo – 1997)
• Pandaemonium: Beyond the Powers of Death (mini-cd – 1998)
• Pandaemonium: Suffering is Essential (mini-cd – 2001)
• Downslide: demo ’97
• Downslide: Losing Ground (demo – 1998)
• Conspiracy: Illusions (mini-cd 2000)
• Edgecrusher: Impressions of Mankind (mini-cd – 2002)
• Imperia: The Lotus Eaters (song for tribute to Dead Can Dance – cd – 2004)
• Imperia: The Ancient Dance of Quetesh (studio album – 2004)
• God Dethroned: Into the Lungs of Hell (studio album – 2003)
• God Dethroned: The Lair of the White Worm (studio album – 2004)
• God Dethroned: The Toxic Touch (studio album – 2006)
• Down Till Dawn: promo cd (2004)
• Delain: Lucidity (studio album – 2006)
• Epica: The Divine Conspiracy (studio album – 2007)
• HDK: System Overload (cd – 2008)
• Epica: The Classical Conspiracy (live album – 2009)
• Epica: Design Your Universe (studio album – 2009)
• Mayan: Quarterpast (studio album – 2011)
• Epica: Requiem for the Indifferent (studio album – 2012)
• Epica: Forevermore (single – 2012)
• Mayan: Antagonise (studio album – 2014)
• Epica: The Quantum Enigma (studio album – 2014)
• Epica: The Holographic Principle (studio album – 2016)
• Epica: The Solace System (EP – 2017)
• Epica: Epica vs Attack on Titan Songs (EP – 2017)
• Epica: Omega (studio album – 2021)
• Epica; Aspiral {studio album – 2025
• Dark Horse, White Horse: Dark Horse, White Horse (studio EP – 2021)
