Maxim Udalov

Who is Maxim Udalov?

Maxim Lvovich Udalov is the drummer of the Russian heavy metal band Aria.

In early career, Udalov participated in Chorny Coffee and Metallachord, where he met and befriended guitarist Sergey Mavrin. Together with Mavrin, Maxim first joined Aria in 1987 and played drums on Geroy Asfalta album, but he left the band two years later due to ongoing conflict between musicians and band's manager Victor Vekshtein. Alexander Maniakin replaced Udalov. Aria soon dismissed Vekshtein and started their own company ARIA records.

Maxim Udalov, though no more official member, remained in Aria as sound engineer and sessional drummer. He played drums on Aria's 1998 tour when Maniakin was injured with broken hand. In 2002, when Maniakin left Aria following Valery Kipelov, Maxim was invited back to the main lineup.