ProgPower USA XII Roster Discussion

Oh and Therion... who would have thought THEY would be back? Didn't they lose money on their last North American tour? Figured they'd never be back just because it wasn't worth it financial wise?

I'm surprised and not so surprised. I figured when they said that, that the exception would be if they would play progpower again. Needless to say, I'm stoked.
 
It looks to be easier to have them play financially this year, too, with 3 American bands playing. Less visa costs so those costs can be allocated towards Therion.
 
Vortex has also stated on his myspace page that he was told by an alien that regarding an Arcturus reunion, 2011 is a lucky number.

Yes, I know :p but my concern is that everything he is involved with for the past 2 years has fallen through... Lamented Souls CD was meant to be out over a year ago... his tour with Borknagar fell through as did his job to take the lead vocals on the last <code> album. His solo cd was supposed to be out in May but he delayed it until the fall, and now he told me a few weeks back that all 11 tracks are recorded and being mixed and the CD is set to release in late January. So we will see what happens :\
 
Yes, I know :p but my concern is that everything he is involved with for the past 2 years has fallen through... Lamented Souls CD was meant to be out over a year ago... his tour with Borknagar fell through as did his job to take the lead vocals on the last <code> album. His solo cd was supposed to be out in May but he delayed it until the fall, and now he told me a few weeks back that all 11 tracks are recorded and being mixed and the CD is set to release in late January. So we will see what happens :

These aren't delays. You just don't understand time on the astral level that Vortex does.
 
Markus Teske, the keyboardist is a sound engineer for Vanden Plas. He helps them with their production, but is not a member of VP. Yes Chitral "Chity Lanka" Somapala is the singer. He is a great vocalist, formerly fronting Avalon and Firewind.

Bryant

Great to see my friend Chitty here in the States!!!:kickass:
 
Seriously? "I don't know some of the bands so this lineup is horrible"????

Tell me about it. This past year's lineup was my most anticipated because outside of Hammerfall, Kamelot and TYR I hadn't heard of any of the bands. Well I heard of Tartot but didn't actually listen to any of their stuff before the announcement. In turn, this was the lineup I was most psyched about even though in the end I couldn't make it. I love these bands Glenn picks because it's something new for me.
 
Great line up. I'm a bit surprised there's as much negativity as there is, especially given the crowd's overwhelmingly positive reaction to the announcement
Considering a decent-sized portion of the forum was expecting James LaBrie to be headlining, the confusion and negativity isn't entirely surprising to me. I don't want to fall into the cliche of bashing prog fans, but the fact that none of the top 4 bands are traditional prog probably has a lot to do with it.
 
I think next years line up is absolutely incredible... I didn't go this year. Not because I thought anything was wrong with the line up, just that finances and possibilities of getting time off sucked after spending three weeks in Sweden this summer.

Anyways... Nothing can stop me from going next year. Therion and Haken is worth the expense alone. And with Sanctuary and While Heaven Wept there as well... Insane.

And as for Arcturus.... I would die to see that. However.... I feel there will be some serious visa problems. I hope I'm wrong.
 
Any recommendations on Eldritch

El Nino and Headquake are prog metal musts. Portrait of the Abyss Within is pretty good. Eldritch has been on an extreme nosedive since that release.


Wow. 2 years in a row of weak lineups. Saturday is the only day that even looks remotely interesting with Labyrinth (long overdue), Red Circuit, and Haken. I would totally miss Eldritch because Friday is so weak it's not worth attending.

To each their own.
 
And as for Arcturus.... I would die to see that. However.... I feel there will be some serious visa problems. I hope I'm wrong.
Anyone in particular? Simen has gotten his with Dimmu, Tore w/ Jorn, and Hellhammer got into the country with Mayhem for their last tour. I don't know a ton about the other band members though, so perhaps I'm missing some info...?
 
Great line up. I'm a bit surprised there's as much negativity as there is, especially given the crowd's overwhelmingly positive reaction to the announcement That said, I appreciate that we all have different tastes. Very much looking forward to next year.

In my experience over seeing bands announced the last couple of years, it happens. There is no way in hell Glenn is going to appease every single person on this forum or at the show for that matter. Once people start digging into some of these bands they aren't familiar with, people will become more accepting of this lineup. As I've said I always prefer having bands in there I had no clue of before and then finding out how amazing they are. At the end of the day, I know I'm looking VERY forward to next year (that is if I can get out of this current unemployed dilemma).
 
Considering a decent-sized portion of the forum was expecting James LaBrie to be headlining, the confusion and negativity isn't entirely surprising to me. I don't want to fall into the cliche of bashing prog fans, but the fact that none of the top 4 bands are traditional prog probably has a lot to do with it.

Most likely. I think the problem is many of us (including myself I hate to say) got on the bandwagon he was a for sure due to Glenn posting a picture with him. At the time of guessing the lineup, I did it even though in my heart I felt the whole time it was a complete swerve and in the end, it was. Haha. The thing that people need to realize though is that at the end of the day Progpower is a business and even though I love prog, those type bands with the exception of Symphony X and MAYBE Vanden Plas or Evergrey just don't put asses in the seats. With the economy where it is, Glenn has no choice to put bands up there that appeal to the average power metal fan. Though Therion is an exception as they really aren't either prog or power but due have a good following, not to mention it being exclusive.
 
Though Therion is an exception as they really aren't either prog or power but due have a good following, not to mention it being exclusive.

therion doesn't draw well in the US which is why they said they weren't comic back. Since this is a US exclusive show, I imagine this show is going to be a stop on some S. American tour with a stop or two in Mexico.
 
Vast Oceans Lachrymose


That's definitely the best one for this crowd to check out. My favorite is Of Empires Forlorn.

I agree. Vast Ocean is more epic prog than anything. There earlier stuff is slow, epic, and doomy. Hopefully, they'll play a good mix of all of it! I'm totally impressed that Glenn lined this band up!

What would be cool is if Doomshine or Draconian can be lined up for a Thursday night appearance!

Next year's lineup is heavy and dark for the most part...me likey! :)

~Brian~
 
therion doesn't draw well in the US which is why they said they weren't comic back. Since this is a US exclusive show, I imagine this show is going to be a stop on some S. American tour with a stop or two in Mexico.

I said good following, meaning there are people that are hardcore into them throughout the country, which will result in a good turnout for this one show. No, they weren't a huge drawing power when they were here. That's not what I meant. I'm so psyched though because boy do they deliver live.
 
I agree. Vast Ocean is more epic prog than anything. There earlier stuff is slow, epic, and doomy. Hopefully, they'll play a good mix of all of it! I'm totally impressed that Glenn lined this band up!

What would be cool is if Doomshine or Draconian can be lined up for a Thursday night appearance!

Next year's lineup is heavy and dark for the most part...me likey! :)

~Brian~

Draconian would be epic. :headbang: Don't know of Doomshine but I'll look into it.
 
It was going to be a mild disappointment to me until Therion was named. Then it tuned into a must-go. The slam dunks for me are Voyager and While Heaven Wept (Ironic. One band from halfway around the world and one out of my own backyard.) I own albums from both Eldrich and Labrynth and I was not impressed by the former and the latter didn't make an impression. Arcturus looks intreging. Of the other bands I didn't know, Red Circuit looks the most interesting.

Also, am I the only guy who went "Who?" to Sancuary? Seriously, it is the first time that I have gotten nothing from a headliner announcement.
 
Half of the fun and allure of this festival is finding out about new bands. When I signed up for my first PP (III) I was basically coming to see Silent Force (sealed the deal for me), Gamma Ray & Blind Guardian. I walked away liking Threshold and Edguy.

After my first PP I planned on going every year no matter what. On the IC lineup I liked a lot more and found Secret Sphere and Mercenary. The only band I didn't like was Redemption and I'm hit or miss with Vanden Plas (although very entertaining live).

PP V; introduced me to Into Eternity, Dreamscape, Adagio (very boring for me live, albums were OK for my taste) and Wuthering Heights. Pain of Salvation does nothing for me.

PP VI; Conception, Orphaned Land (holy hell great find) and Circus Maximus.

PP VII got me into Savage Circus, Vision Divine, Theocracy and Freak Kitchen.

Due to circumstances out of my control I haven't been able to attend any since VII. I still follow the forums and such to find new music and bitch about what I'm missing.

Glenn will never please every soul, so too bad for you with your saying of the nays. When the bands were announced last night I knew a grand total of 5 bands. If I can go again I will (Sanctuary being the main draw for me). I checked out some of the other bands and liked 3 right off the bat.

To each their own.