Almost 5 yrs ago I walked into a friends CD shop to find autographed mini-posters from Edguy, Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray on the wall. Having only recently been introduced to the European power metal scene, I freaked out over seeing Kai Hansen and Tobias Sammett's autographs and asked where he got them from. "A friend saw them play a festival LAST WEEK in ATLANTA and brought them back for me." That was my introduction to Prog Power, 3 bands I thought I'd NEVER get the chance to see play in the US actually did, and I fouund out about it a week too late! I haven't missed a PPUSA since. Blind Guardian toured the US that year and I saw them. I finally saw Edguy at PPV, but all this time it's haunted me that I never got to see the legendary Kai Hansen and Gamma Ray. Last night in Minnesota I finally put that ghost to rest.
This was just an amazing show. I missed the opening band Kwang because I went to get something to eat after being lucky enough to see Gamma Ray's soundcheck. (Thanks Nathan)
Mirror Black played next. The main guitarist and the bass player were really talented and the singer wasn't bad but they weren't really my thing. I just tend to like songs with big hooks and catchy sing along choruses and that's just not their style. That's my problem, not theirs. They did a good job and many in the crowd really liked them.
Next was Miles Beyond and HOLY SHIT what a surprise they were!! These kids were damn good!! Lots of twin guitar leads and harmonies and the singer sounded a bit like Bruce Dickinson! The guitarist and singer/guitarist would switch to playing the necks of each others guitars in the middle of songs without missing a lick - it was amazing to watch. They could be the best unsigned band in the US.
Next up was Celladoor (I'm sure I spelled that wrong - sorry). They were really loud and really fast. Unfortunately, from where I was standing the vocals were lost in the mix. That's too bad because when I could hear him, it sounded like he had a really good voice. They did a nice cover of "Eagle Fly Free." I'd like to hear a CD so I can gage them better. I'd also like to hear them do a mid-tempo song, or one that starts out slow and then builds to the really fast tempo they play at.
Avian played their first gig ever and they were awesome! They were the reason I chose to travel to this city to see Gamma Ray. Lance King is one of my favorite vocalists and it was a pleasure to see him perform live! Nathan even got on stage and sang a song with them - way to go SwordLord! It's good to be the promoter!
Gamma Ray was unbelievable! The best band I've seen this year! The set list was the same as the previous cities - with one major exception!! Instead of just playing "I Want Out," we got a medley that started with most of "Ride the Sky," a good amount of "Future World" and all of "I Want Out"!!! I just about lost my mind!
After the show Kai and Henjo signed some autographs before their tour manager made them leave. Thanks again to Nathan and his partners for putting on this killer show. It was so much fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Extra special thanks to Nathan and Jason for getting a friend (who's name escapes me - damn jet lag!) to give me a ride back to the airport so I didnt have to waste money on a taxi. Totally worth the trip from Texas to Minnesota!
(To anyone still reading, sorry this was so long!)
This was just an amazing show. I missed the opening band Kwang because I went to get something to eat after being lucky enough to see Gamma Ray's soundcheck. (Thanks Nathan)
Mirror Black played next. The main guitarist and the bass player were really talented and the singer wasn't bad but they weren't really my thing. I just tend to like songs with big hooks and catchy sing along choruses and that's just not their style. That's my problem, not theirs. They did a good job and many in the crowd really liked them.
Next was Miles Beyond and HOLY SHIT what a surprise they were!! These kids were damn good!! Lots of twin guitar leads and harmonies and the singer sounded a bit like Bruce Dickinson! The guitarist and singer/guitarist would switch to playing the necks of each others guitars in the middle of songs without missing a lick - it was amazing to watch. They could be the best unsigned band in the US.
Next up was Celladoor (I'm sure I spelled that wrong - sorry). They were really loud and really fast. Unfortunately, from where I was standing the vocals were lost in the mix. That's too bad because when I could hear him, it sounded like he had a really good voice. They did a nice cover of "Eagle Fly Free." I'd like to hear a CD so I can gage them better. I'd also like to hear them do a mid-tempo song, or one that starts out slow and then builds to the really fast tempo they play at.
Avian played their first gig ever and they were awesome! They were the reason I chose to travel to this city to see Gamma Ray. Lance King is one of my favorite vocalists and it was a pleasure to see him perform live! Nathan even got on stage and sang a song with them - way to go SwordLord! It's good to be the promoter!
Gamma Ray was unbelievable! The best band I've seen this year! The set list was the same as the previous cities - with one major exception!! Instead of just playing "I Want Out," we got a medley that started with most of "Ride the Sky," a good amount of "Future World" and all of "I Want Out"!!! I just about lost my mind!
After the show Kai and Henjo signed some autographs before their tour manager made them leave. Thanks again to Nathan and his partners for putting on this killer show. It was so much fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Extra special thanks to Nathan and Jason for getting a friend (who's name escapes me - damn jet lag!) to give me a ride back to the airport so I didnt have to waste money on a taxi. Totally worth the trip from Texas to Minnesota!
(To anyone still reading, sorry this was so long!)
