Here's the stuff from ROCK HARD (Germany):
http://www.intromental.dk/progpowerusa_rockhard1.jpg
http://www.intromental.dk/progpowerusa_rockhard2.jpg
And the translation goes something like this (don't kill me if it's not 100% correct - remember, neither English nor German is my first language).
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Interview with Progpower promoter Glenn Harveston:
Q: Glenn, when and why did you start up Progpower?
I started the festival in 99 from pure frustration in life. There were no possibilities to see bands in this style of music around here because noone was touring and there were no festivals of this sort. At some point I told myself that it probably would make more sense to do something about it rather than complain.
Q: What makes PP so special?
I sell 1300 tickets each year, no matter how big the demand is. That gives me the possibility to put on a 1st class show in a 1st class location for the bands and fans. Because of the limited attendance the festival is quite cosy, besides everybody have the chance to meet the musicians in person. This intimate atmosphere is priceless.
Q: Have you already booked the bands for 2007?
No, we are still in the planning, but in March Ill give away the first information on our homepage, so the European fans will have enough time to decide if its worth doing the travel. If they decide for it, theyll experience a show that can be compared to no festival in Europe.
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Review:
PROGPOWER ATLANTA
Center Stage.
Metal fans from USA, South America and Europe venture on a pilgrimage to PPUSA, one of the nicest and unusual festivals in the US. Here, bands - in the trend oriented USA, very under-acknowledged genres Prog/power and melodic metal - get the chance to present themselves and receive the applause of a very responsive audience.
In the last couple of years, the cosy amphitheatre-like centre stage has sold out and also this year promoter Glenn Harveston expects the maximum of 1300 spectators. Already on the warm-up party on Thursday, there are rows of people waiting hours in advance outside the venue. The familiar atmosphere at this festival continues on after the show in the hotels around, where bands and fans celebrate together until early morning. First up is the US proggies THEOCRACY opens with a solid show on this mainly Scandinavian and melodic PP, before the Norwegians CIRCUS MAXIMUS, with a convincing performance receives the first burst of excitement from the fans. This band, youll need to keep an eye on! The American LEATHERWOLF have a tough job, since their power metal material doesnt appeal as much, though the guys around Wade Black deliver a strong gig. The audience today however, seems a bit tired, as is evident during the headliner show from CIRCLE II CIRCLE, and a couple of the rows are emptying out. Only with the Savatage songs Edge Of Thorns and Handful Of Rain a party mood breaks out, which makes the band seem more energetic after all, the guys are filming the entire show for a DVD release.
Friday.
After a quiet night, you have to make time disappear in the somewhat boring city of Atlanta, before the festival commences, which makes the Pagans Mind musicians, that will be performing with JORN, go to the nearest guitar store, while front man Jorn Lande lets the water run smoothly from the mouth as he gazes at the Corvette store. This is like Paradise, he jokes, while he runs through the store, asking the sales person facts about the cars and finally talks about his Corvette at home. The Danish/American band PYRAMAZE, just as tight as at this years Headbangers Open Air, although the - from tape - produced choirs gets on your nerves a bit. SAVAGE CIRCUS performs without the sick band boss Thomen Stauch, but thanks to Iron Savior drummer Thomas Knack, they leave a super impression behind, especially due to the singing performance by Jens Carlsson. The following, FREAK KITCHEN, easily puts one on top as their performance is an absolutely surprising victory, that none of the headliners could top. The Swedes offer pure entertainment, are excellent musicians and achieve, with their original mix of fun and intelligent metal, to make some jaws drop in the audience. Really Big! The Danes in MERCENARY are undoubtedly the hardest band of the festival, but are really welcomed and lots of fans in the sitting rows stand up to bang along, and by the Pantera cover Cowboys From Hell the entire venue is jumping up and down. Finally, its time for EVERGREY, who just for PP re-enact their DVD show A Night To Remember with guest singers and string quartet. No on wants to miss out on this, which is why theres a total blast of an attitude in the venue, while the Swedes offer a sensational show. Whether melancholic or hard, Evergrey is hailed after each song and especially as guitarist Henrik asks his girlfriend to marry him at the end of the show, and the happy couple are being splashed with Champagne by the band-mates.
Saturday.
Today everybody is tired, no matter if its musicians or fans. Everybody have been partying until 6 a.m., rocked in their hotels or helped bring the drinks from Evergrey to safety, by drinking it themselves??? Lots of the musicians look very tired as they approach the sound check and the fans gather slowly to the venue as the siren song from new ZERO HOUR front man Chris Salinas wakes up everyone. With the Italian/Swedish formation VISION DIVINE, the show continues in a power metallic way, where several girls look like they were checking these guys out. Overall, you cant say anything negative about the performance of the group around front man Michele Lupi, so the boys receive their respective applause. The Dutch EPICA has the only female singer on the roster and they rock the house totally. As for a sceptic point of view, the fan response is quite surprising as the vocals from Simone Simmons really arent that special. Anyway, you have to give them, that the do this kind of bombastic metal to perfection. Respect! Before JORN will finally tour in Germany, the ex-Masterplan vocalist has to test the US audience, which isnt that difficult, as he has been awaited by a lot of die-hard fans. With the current hits We Brought The Angels Down and Blacksong, the duke of love starts off perfectly before he places 2 Thin Lizzy songs (Are You Ready + Coldsweat) and the great tune Out To Every Nation. With Godless And Wicked theres also a Beyond Twilight song, before Jorn and his great musicians stops by Masterplan (Soulburn), Allen/Lande (the touching My Own Way Home) and Ark (Noose). After the, as by all other tracks well-performed, Stormcrow, he follows up with a somewhat unnecessary, yet strong Whitesnake medley, before the highlight of the evening follows!! The HearnAid song Stars is performed by Jorn together with almost all singers and musicians from the festival and it creates meter high goose bumps on the arms. A worthy ending to a one-of-a-kind festival, that also for the European metal festival fans has a lot to offer.
Jenny Rönnebek
Rock Hard
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