Headliner #2 Confirmed:

[VenomGA]

The last setlist they played here when headlining had 14 songs total and it had 4 pre-Elegy songs on it (and two from Elegy, if someone's interested to know). None from the bit uninspired and dull (imo) Far From The Sun album so I think even the band would agree that one wouldn't be a good idea to check out to get an idea how they are

Greykiller: I'll PM you a recent setlist, don't want to spoil it for the people who don't want to know.

Could you PM me the set list too? I really want to concentrate on songs they more than likely will be playing. THanks in advance.

 

[The Invisible Guest]

Greykiller: I'll PM you a recent setlist, don't want to spoil it for the people who don't want to know.

Good point ... you can find some of their setlists from this past year at this site. http://www.metalsetlists.com/

It looks like the older fans will be happy if they stick to a similar setlist for Prog Power.

Britt

 

[skyrefuge]

I knew I wasnt the only one to feel that way

To be clear, although I don't think they've changed a whole lot over their last six albums, I don't fault them for that; I still think they're really great. In most cases, that lack of evolution would be an issue for me, but Amorphis is one of those bands that doesn't really have anyone else who sounds like them, so there is not yet a glut of albums in that style. Although, I had previously decided to skip 'Silent Waters', since it seemed just like 'Eclipse Part II' to me, but now, I'll probably end up getting it just for preparation.

I do think it's funny to see the different perspectives people have on PPUSA attendance. I'm also a "there for the music" guy, but while you're disappointed that there aren't enough good bands to make you go, I'm almost disappointed that there ARE enough good bands that are now forcing me to make the trip! But yeah, I know I'm a bit crazy. But it's funny how the "go for the social" people can get a bit judgmental about us "go for the music" people.

None from the bit uninspired and dull (imo) Far From The Sun album so I think even the band would agree that one wouldn't be a good idea to check out

Yeah, I didn't mention that because I figured it would have been fairly obvious from the other posts in this thread. But dang, their recent setlists do surprise me...there is hardly any 'Tuonela'/'Am Universum' stuff either, so they really cut out that whole mid-period in favor of more early stuff. Hey, that's cool for me! Of course they could always refocus their setlist between now and then, or cater more towards PPUSA (although they don't strike me as a band that would even really recognize PPUSA as a 'special' show).

Neil

 

[Palabra de Dios]

I have read just about every comment in this thread after receiving the news a bit later than everybody else. Amorphis is one of my favorite bands, and I've not been this excited about a ProgPower since I discovered the fest and went for the first time (PP6, btw...I came a bit late to the party ).

I do want to split hairs about Amorphis' genre, however, because I think they fit the fest way more than most people probably give them credit for. When I think of "prog metal" or "progressive metal", I don't immediately think of the vast plethora of bands influenced by Fates Warning and Dream Theater (and these bands' successors, such as Symphony X). While I really enjoy many of the bands labelled as "prog metal", is it really "progressive" at all to basically stay within the boundaries of a particular style? Not really; so if someone were to say a band is "generic prog", that seems so ridiculous to me...if it's generic it's not really progressive at all.

This brings me to Amorphis: this band is truly progressive. They do not play a particular style--look at you guys trying to label their style! You all fail at this because they have none. They are a death metal band. They are a doom metal band. They are an atmospheric/folk/doomy/death/clean band. What the fuck are they? They're Amorphis, and I claim that they are one of the only TRUE progressive bands out there.

Quick sidenote: this is something I've thought about a lot, since I love Amorphis so much, and I've always thought of them as headliner material for this fest, since the first day I learned about ProgPowerUSA.

Not only is Amorphis a truly progressive band, they have actually PROGRESSED throughout their career. You'd be dead wrong saying that each album sounds the same: please listen to Karelian Isthmus and Ad Universum back to back and say they are the same "style". This isn't mere inconsistency in sound, in my opinion--this is a band saying "okay, we did this kind of sound, and that was cool, let's do it this way now, and this is cool, and now we'll do it this way...and that'll be cool too"). Their latest two CDs have a pretty consistent sound, but are quite different from their earlier or middle material as well. Perhaps they will continue to change and expand. This is true progression. This is why I believe Amorphis is a true PROGRESSIVE METAL band. Thus, they fit this festival better than most bands some might call "oddball" or some other euphemism for "not-for-me."

I can't fucking wait to see Amorphis slay Center Stage.

 

[General Zod]

Let's get that HC like buzz going for Riverside/Amorphis and then Iced Earth. I love the way it's shaping up this year.

Sounds like a plan.

Zod

 

[General Zod]

Palabra de Dios... perfectly stated.

Zod

 

[The Invisible Guest]

But dang, their recent setlists do surprise me...there is hardly any 'Tuonela'/'Am Universum' stuff either, so they really cut out that whole mid-period in favor of more early stuff. Hey, that's cool for me! Of course they could always refocus their setlist between now and then, or cater more towards PPUSA (although they don't strike me as a band that would even really recognize PPUSA as a 'special' show).

Neil

They have played "The Way", and "Divinity" on occasion the past year or two .. both from Tuonela. I bet with the long set they will play at least one of those two, maybe both. I'd expect a good mix from their different musical stages.

Britt

 

[Perditions Ghost]

HELL YES!!!!

Holy shit, Glenn. I was wondering how you were going to top VIII. You've definitely done it this year. Oh my god. Amorphis. I can't believe it. I didn't even think about them.

Would I have liked Morgana Lefay? Of course, yeah. But AMORPHIS!

I cannot wait for September. Holy shit. Kudos for pulling this off Glenn. Such a great announcement. I'm going to go listen to some Amorphis right now, actually.

Amorphis and Iced Earth...two great bands to cap off an already spectacular lineup.

 

[Kim K]

But also, because the majority of their vocals are growled. Zod

Wow I hope not. I'll give them my 3 song listen and if they are all growls, I'll be at the bar.

 

[ratanda]

holy CRAP!

 

[General Zod]

Wow I hope not. I'll give them my 3 song listen and if they are all growls, I'll be at the bar.

Hey Kim... they should have a pretty good balance. And depending on their set list, it could be significantly less. That said, they have an amazing energy and a ton of groove to their songs. I've seen them twice and they were superb both times.

Zod

 

[TBJ]

I think your chances are very good, at least most (if not all) the shows I have seen with the "new" singer included it, this goes for Black Winter Day too. They're always playing a very nice selection of the old 90s stuff and Tomi can really deliver the goods with the growls on those, perfect (well I guess better than perfect) singer replacement for these guys.

...*runs to the drugstore to buy depends*

 

[Jasonic]

Amorphis's last performance in the U.S. was in 2003.

I don't mean to be a wanker, but didn't AMORPHIS tour the US in 2005? Maybe this has already been addressed.

 

[Harvester]

It has. It was a typo in the press release and once you let the cat out of the bag.....

 

[DADRocks]

I've haven't heard much of anything of Amorphis before but I want to pick up a couple cd's. I've picked up their recent one and need another suggestion. I'm don't like all or a lot of growls in the vocals (Raintime amounts are fine), any suggestions?

 

[Harvester]

My suggestion for those that a. Don't want too much growling & b. Are on a budget would be to grab Silent Waters & Eclipse first. Then grab the "Chapters" (Best of) to see how they evolved over the years, including the early death stuff.

 

[zekeyou]

My suggestion for those that a. Don't want too much growling & b. Are on a budget would be to grab Silent Waters & Eclipse first. Then grab the "Chapters" (Best of) to see how they evolved over the years, including the early death stuff.

...and then be blown away and buy the entire anthology...

 

[Palabra de Dios]

...and then be blown away and buy the entire anthology...

Yes. Exactly.

Also, I am at a loss as to why harsh vocals are a total turnoff for a band: Orphaned Land, Therion and Mercenary seemed to go over pretty well for this fest...why is this still an issue with some?

 

[DADRocks]

Also, I am at a loss as to why harsh vocals are a total turnoff for a band: Orphaned Land, Therion and Mercenary seemed to go over pretty well for this fest...why is this still an issue with some?

It's all personal taste. The bands you listed I not a fan of but bands like Testament and Raintime are some of my favorites. I do try to give most bands a chance to sink in, if they do, great. If not, no big deal. I'm not going to knock any bands that Glenn decides to book, because of this festival I've been introduced to some of my favorite bands like Sonata, Raintime, Threshold, Circus Maximus, Evergrey. Also, it's a cheap festival considering if I wanted to see some of my favorite bands that happened to be brought over by Glenn (ie Pink Cream 69, Freak Kitchen, & Jorn) it would cost me thousands to see them overseas. (Like I did last year to see D.A.D.) Keep up the good work Glenn and thanks for the suggestions.

 

[SharkBlack]

The Devil has shown me "The Way"!!!!

Amorphis is a nice selection Glenn!!!!!