ProgPower's great. I've been at ProgPowers 1, 2, and now 5. Each one has been awesome.
But I notice there's a bit overkill on the more 'classic'-sounding 'progressive' metal bands, the type that adhere to the I&W blueprint. Dreamscape and Adagio, for instance. Very good bands, very good musicians, but not stylistically creative.
I'd love to see a completely whacked-out lineup next year, with bands that sound nothing alike. Some recommendations:
Crimson Glory - with both Midnight and Wade Black. Astronomica was too good to ignore. Wacholz would be awesome as well - he made Friday night for me.
Liquid Tension Experiment - first performance outside a NAMM show.
Watchtower - The originators of progressive metal. I've seen this band four times, and their performances are akin to a trip to the zoo. Awesome.
Cynic - Stylistically, this band offered more on Focus than DT did with I&W. And the old lineup played together on the last Gordian Knot CD. It's possible.
Demons and Wizards - can't go wrong here. Hell, if Bobby Jarzombek plays with them, he can hook up with his brother Ron and with Sean Malone, and we can have the meanest incarnation of Spastic Ink perform at ProgPower as well.
Sanctuary - can't go wrong here either, though I sense animosity after Nevermore cancelled the first ProgPower.
Lilitu - Their last two albums have been incredible.
Therion - The closest they've been to the US is Monterrey, Mexico. I say bring them over with a complete string and brass section and a choir.
Labÿrinth - If we need a token 'classic'-sounding power metal band, we may as well make it a good one.
Metallica - kidding
But I notice there's a bit overkill on the more 'classic'-sounding 'progressive' metal bands, the type that adhere to the I&W blueprint. Dreamscape and Adagio, for instance. Very good bands, very good musicians, but not stylistically creative.
I'd love to see a completely whacked-out lineup next year, with bands that sound nothing alike. Some recommendations:
Crimson Glory - with both Midnight and Wade Black. Astronomica was too good to ignore. Wacholz would be awesome as well - he made Friday night for me.
Liquid Tension Experiment - first performance outside a NAMM show.
Watchtower - The originators of progressive metal. I've seen this band four times, and their performances are akin to a trip to the zoo. Awesome.
Cynic - Stylistically, this band offered more on Focus than DT did with I&W. And the old lineup played together on the last Gordian Knot CD. It's possible.
Demons and Wizards - can't go wrong here. Hell, if Bobby Jarzombek plays with them, he can hook up with his brother Ron and with Sean Malone, and we can have the meanest incarnation of Spastic Ink perform at ProgPower as well.
Sanctuary - can't go wrong here either, though I sense animosity after Nevermore cancelled the first ProgPower.
Lilitu - Their last two albums have been incredible.
Therion - The closest they've been to the US is Monterrey, Mexico. I say bring them over with a complete string and brass section and a choir.
Labÿrinth - If we need a token 'classic'-sounding power metal band, we may as well make it a good one.
Metallica - kidding