Well, you can read my day 1 impressions here...
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109756
Day 2:
I arrived about 5:15 again, and checked the vendors to see what was new, different, etc. Managed to catch a seat right after Pagan's Mind started....damn near blew my eardrums when I opened the door to the inside part...they were so loud...
Pagan's Mind: A GREAT opener, they really had the place going, and their setlist was strong. Didn't know anything by them going into it, but I will definatly look into picking up their CD's...
After they played, and I was walking around, I was hearing lots of people telling how good of an opener they were...
Great job for them!
Secret Sphere: I was really looking forward to this band, even though I only had their latest release. I know lots don't like that new album, but it grew on me and I really love it now...the tempo changes, the melodies, etc.
Their concert did not disappoint, played a good variety of their material. And the performance was top notch. The only problem I saw was that the guitars weren't loud enough. The lead player would be soloing and unless you were watching, you couldn't tell just by listening. Still, I really enjoyed Secret Sphere. I think some people just didn't give them the chance they deserved... Definatly a top class act...hope to see them again in states...
CircleIICircle: Oh yes, the band I was looking forward to the most, probably delievered the best performance of the show. They played about 3/4 of their album...which was 100 times better live. I always thought the album lacked that *punch* sound, but they delivered it completely live. Zach's voice is amazing too, top job by him.
They did intermix some Savatage songs, which got the place going CRAZY.
First one they did was "Labyrinths" - Amazing job. Great tribute to Criss, per se. *How Matt LaPorte held his hand up when soloing, pointing to the sky...those of us who know Savatage history would know why*
They then led it into "Follow Me". Another great performance, if you had just closed your eyes, you could just imagine it was Savatage... Simply incredible...it literally gave me chills...
Another one they did was "Turns to Me"...again, a great performance.
They also did "Taunting Cobra's", got the crowd really excited and pumped up...
Then, the highlight of ProgPower emerged near the end of the set. Zach points to the side and says "Now it's your turn"
And out walks Jon Oliva!
He goes to the keyboard, yells in the mike, and proceeds to start with "Edge of Thorns"
He then leads it into "Gutter Ballet", with both him and Zach singing, and that concluded the performance.
It was simply incredible, their set... The place was just going crazy...
If this is any notice to Glenn, I know he loves Savatage, I think the crowd would go crazy if Savatage was on the ProgPower roster...*hint hint*
This takes my award for best performance of the show. *Edguy won it for me last year too, so it's surprising that two of the non-headliners took it*. Nightwish probably would have taken 2nd, with Rage 3rd this year.
Anyways...
Evergrey: No offense to Glenn, but I found this more on the boring side. I didn't know much of their stuff, but the set list didn't impress me. Their heavy songs seemed to border on the same side, as nothing varied enough. Also, I don't see what the huge ordeal over his voice is, it was a decent voice, but nothing to go with the hype I'd been hearing about.
Still, it was an ok band and set for me, just didn't sit well. But I think part of the reason is they played after CircleIICircle as well....Still enjoyable...
Rage: Ah, the final band of the night. Tough task to close after 9 bands, but Rage did the job great. Their first two songs didn't do anything for me, almost thought about leaving. It seemed like the guitarist was trying to do TOO much on the guitar, and it was sounding discombobalated....
Then they led into "Down", and this really got me back into the show.
Another one I loved was "Set this world on fire". I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOo glad I picked up the album "Unity" during ProgPower. This song was just simply that type of anthem, heavy metal theme you want to see played. "Raise your hands, it's time to burn you'll set this world on fire!" Damn, its still going through my head...
They did some other stuff on Unity, did a new track from their new album, and some old stuff as well.
The guitar solo was simply amazing, I almost want to think he was better then Romeo on guitar...
The drum solo went a little long, but I still found it funny "Welcome to my Jungle!" :Spin:
Still, a great job by Rage, and I'm definatly going to check more into them...their collection was too extensive for me to really check into them before. Also, lots of people left during their set...a shame. During Rage's encore, place was probably only 1/4th full. Probably due to it being so late...*Rage got started 20 minutes late*
Now I have Unity, plan on more...*listens to it*
Oh yes, if there's one thing I did not like, it was the guy in the red bandana on the floor during Rage. It's fine if you are all into the music, but don't try starting a mosh pit when that's not why most people goto ProgPower. I just don't think it was the right setting for it, and I know *I was sitting in seat*, that by watching people on the floor, others weren't enjoying it as well. Sure there was that group, but think of all the rest around you. You aren't the ONLY people there...
He also proceeded to flick off the crowd numerous times, face the crowd and rub his crotch, and make obsene gestures and taunts...
I really wish security would have stopped him, but what can you do... :Smug: I was hoping someone would just punch his ass down, but no one did...
Oh well...
Anyways, it was a great expereince, and I'm really glad I came. I want to thank Glenn, and Deron too, for all their hard work concerning it, and I can't wait for next year's festival.
Everything seemed to run smoother this year, and EarthLink remains to be the perfect venue for this event...
Great job guys!
I'll see you next year!
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109756
Day 2:
I arrived about 5:15 again, and checked the vendors to see what was new, different, etc. Managed to catch a seat right after Pagan's Mind started....damn near blew my eardrums when I opened the door to the inside part...they were so loud...
Pagan's Mind: A GREAT opener, they really had the place going, and their setlist was strong. Didn't know anything by them going into it, but I will definatly look into picking up their CD's...
After they played, and I was walking around, I was hearing lots of people telling how good of an opener they were...
Great job for them!
Secret Sphere: I was really looking forward to this band, even though I only had their latest release. I know lots don't like that new album, but it grew on me and I really love it now...the tempo changes, the melodies, etc.
Their concert did not disappoint, played a good variety of their material. And the performance was top notch. The only problem I saw was that the guitars weren't loud enough. The lead player would be soloing and unless you were watching, you couldn't tell just by listening. Still, I really enjoyed Secret Sphere. I think some people just didn't give them the chance they deserved... Definatly a top class act...hope to see them again in states...
CircleIICircle: Oh yes, the band I was looking forward to the most, probably delievered the best performance of the show. They played about 3/4 of their album...which was 100 times better live. I always thought the album lacked that *punch* sound, but they delivered it completely live. Zach's voice is amazing too, top job by him.
They did intermix some Savatage songs, which got the place going CRAZY.
First one they did was "Labyrinths" - Amazing job. Great tribute to Criss, per se. *How Matt LaPorte held his hand up when soloing, pointing to the sky...those of us who know Savatage history would know why*
They then led it into "Follow Me". Another great performance, if you had just closed your eyes, you could just imagine it was Savatage... Simply incredible...it literally gave me chills...
Another one they did was "Turns to Me"...again, a great performance.
They also did "Taunting Cobra's", got the crowd really excited and pumped up...
Then, the highlight of ProgPower emerged near the end of the set. Zach points to the side and says "Now it's your turn"
And out walks Jon Oliva!
He goes to the keyboard, yells in the mike, and proceeds to start with "Edge of Thorns"He then leads it into "Gutter Ballet", with both him and Zach singing, and that concluded the performance.
It was simply incredible, their set... The place was just going crazy...
If this is any notice to Glenn, I know he loves Savatage, I think the crowd would go crazy if Savatage was on the ProgPower roster...*hint hint*
This takes my award for best performance of the show. *Edguy won it for me last year too, so it's surprising that two of the non-headliners took it*. Nightwish probably would have taken 2nd, with Rage 3rd this year.
Anyways...
Evergrey: No offense to Glenn, but I found this more on the boring side. I didn't know much of their stuff, but the set list didn't impress me. Their heavy songs seemed to border on the same side, as nothing varied enough. Also, I don't see what the huge ordeal over his voice is, it was a decent voice, but nothing to go with the hype I'd been hearing about.
Still, it was an ok band and set for me, just didn't sit well. But I think part of the reason is they played after CircleIICircle as well....Still enjoyable...
Rage: Ah, the final band of the night. Tough task to close after 9 bands, but Rage did the job great. Their first two songs didn't do anything for me, almost thought about leaving. It seemed like the guitarist was trying to do TOO much on the guitar, and it was sounding discombobalated....
Then they led into "Down", and this really got me back into the show.
Another one I loved was "Set this world on fire". I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOo glad I picked up the album "Unity" during ProgPower. This song was just simply that type of anthem, heavy metal theme you want to see played. "Raise your hands, it's time to burn you'll set this world on fire!" Damn, its still going through my head...
They did some other stuff on Unity, did a new track from their new album, and some old stuff as well.
The guitar solo was simply amazing, I almost want to think he was better then Romeo on guitar...
The drum solo went a little long, but I still found it funny "Welcome to my Jungle!" :Spin:
Still, a great job by Rage, and I'm definatly going to check more into them...their collection was too extensive for me to really check into them before. Also, lots of people left during their set...a shame. During Rage's encore, place was probably only 1/4th full. Probably due to it being so late...*Rage got started 20 minutes late*
Now I have Unity, plan on more...*listens to it*
Oh yes, if there's one thing I did not like, it was the guy in the red bandana on the floor during Rage. It's fine if you are all into the music, but don't try starting a mosh pit when that's not why most people goto ProgPower. I just don't think it was the right setting for it, and I know *I was sitting in seat*, that by watching people on the floor, others weren't enjoying it as well. Sure there was that group, but think of all the rest around you. You aren't the ONLY people there...
He also proceeded to flick off the crowd numerous times, face the crowd and rub his crotch, and make obsene gestures and taunts...
I really wish security would have stopped him, but what can you do... :Smug: I was hoping someone would just punch his ass down, but no one did...
Oh well...Anyways, it was a great expereince, and I'm really glad I came. I want to thank Glenn, and Deron too, for all their hard work concerning it, and I can't wait for next year's festival.
Everything seemed to run smoother this year, and EarthLink remains to be the perfect venue for this event...
Great job guys!
I'll see you next year!
