PP XII Lineup - Your Breakdown

[nomisofsiman]

Really looking forward to Haken, Aquarius is one of my favorite cds released in 2010, and by the time the fest rolls around they'll hopefully have their 2nd cd out. Haken tweaks my "weird" gene nicely, I like my prog rock, and there is SO much happeneing that is interesting musically, that I'd be on the rail if I was out in the crowd. As a fan, I'd be ALL over this lineup, even the stuff I'm not as familiar with....

Totally! I finally got around to listening to this a couple days ago and I was blown away. I honestly thought there was nothing that could contend with Overkill and Accept this year, but it may very well be my top disc of the year. I regret not picking it up sooner.

 

[nomisofsiman]

Arcturus: Doom is not my thing at all. Zero.

Wait, what? Doom? Umm...no. I understand if you don't like the vocals and just how progressive and weird the music is but I don't get the doom label.

 

[Up&Away]

Wait, what?

What...exactly. You missed it. So, don't wait and read the rest of the thread.

Plus, as someone else has mentioned, l wouldn't call them progressive.

 

[nomisofsiman]

Just about every resource lists WHW as doom. Arcturus is listed as black metal. Therion as symphonic death. The bands themselves and their record labels, I presume, throw in the terms "experimental" or "progressive". That's pretty much a veil to get them wider acceptance. That doesn't remove what they actually are. I may have missed Arcturus's label abit. But, doom/black/death, it's all the same to me. It all sucks to high heaven.

Yes I have listened. Yes they suck.

That's a problem with WHW. For a while they were doom but now they aren't a full-fledged doom band. I would just suggest you take one listen to them and if you don't dig it, then you don't dig em. Hell, here you go...



I'm curious. Where is it that you're looking that considers Therion symphonic death? I would say nowadays over the last few albums it's very rare they have any death vocals. And for the most part, most of their albums have more singing than growls. I would honestly just call them a symphonic metal band. Now if you don't dig really symphonic vocals, it probably won't be your thing either. Here you go though...



Progressive and experimental being a veil for wider acceptance? Huh? Since when has that been a way to get more popularity? If anything it'll shun more people away. Secondly, they ARE progressive and experimental. Hell, Arcturus is probably the most progressive band ever to play the fest. I'm guessing you're thinking progressive is the Dream Theater prototype? Like Aeonic said though, if you don't like those black vocals, you won't like them.

 

[nomisofsiman]

What...exactly. You missed it. So, don't wait and read the rest of the thread.

Plus, as someone else has mentioned, l wouldn't call them progressive.

I go in order of what I see. If there is a post I feel I should comment on I do and then continue to read the thread.

As far as progressive, read what I just posted. They are definitely progressive but not in the typical sense. I guess you could go by what Aeonic said in calling them experimental.

 

[J. Golden]

Nor is While Heaven Wept all the Doomy. Or that Therion is a Death Metal band. It makes me wonder what he's heard, because it certainly isn't the music.

I have never heard the description of While Heaven Wept to be anything other than doom until the band was announced on this fest. It is interesting how people well stretch anything to fit into their justification for liking or disliking something. As for WHW well most doom bands are no just simply "doom", WHW are not alone in expanding beyond the realms of doom metal. But are they a doom metal band, yeah they are.But I guess it doesn't matter call it F#@kin polka if you want.

 

[nomisofsiman]

This year I have to make it! Now that I'm employed, I'd say there's a very good chance and unlike this year, the majority of these bands I would feel like shit if I missed.

Vanden Plas: Have only listened to a couple of cds but love what I hear. I'm looking very forward to this.

Evergrey: Only have listened to a couple of songs. Liked one but not the other. I'll have to look into them more, but most likely I will see their whole set.

Creation's End: Their disc is on my to buy list. I like what I've heard, but I wouldn't say it's phenomenal. That may change after purchase. I will definitely stay for them though.

Voyager: Never really heard of them until the announcement. Picked up Element V and love it. Will probably get the rest and stay for their set.

Eldritch: I have liked everything I've heard from them, but I have yet to buy a disc. I probably will do so before September and if what people have said about what their Powerfest set was like, I will enjoy it.

Mob Rules: LOVE THEIR LATEST!!! I have yet to get the rest of their catalog though. Looking very forward to this though.

Arcturus: Probably the set I'm most looking forward to besides Therion.

Sanctuary: I'm very curious here. Like orbweaver, I'll stick around initially to see how Warrell does on the vocals. If they aren't to my liking, I will be gone. This is the one set that truly is either going to be GREAT or it's going to SUCK.

Haken: As I mentioned earlier, just got their disc and it's one of my favorites of the year. This band has some serious potential and can't wait to see their set.

While Heaven Wept: I've been loving these guys for years and can't wait for their set.

Red Circuit: The one band I absolutely hate. I don't get the appeal and so this will be my break either eating or buying merch.

Labyrinth: Can't wait for these guys. Never heard of them until Glenn mentioned them in a post and love them now. They might be the only reason I possibly might see Red Circuit...just so I can be up close for these guys.

Dream Evil: This'll be an awesome set. Good, fun power metal.

Therion: The main attraction for me. I saw them in Chicago on their last tour and it's probably in my top 3 favorite shows of all time. They are a top 10 band for me and this being most likely their final US showing, I CANNOT MISS THIS!

 

[nomisofsiman]

I have never heard the description of While Heaven Wept to be anything other than doom until the band was announced on this fest. It is interesting how people well stretch anything to fit into their justification for liking or disliking something. As for WHW well most doom bands are no just simply "doom", WHW are not alone in expanding beyond the realms of doom metal. But are they a doom metal band, yeah they are.

I would have to agree with you too. WHW is definitely a doom band first and foremost, but they do expand beyond that. I've always said that a lot of people on here and elsewhere would dig doom if they gave it the chance, and here's a band that's proven that.

 

[nomisofsiman]

But I guess it doesn't matter call it F#@kin polka if you want.

 

[J. Golden]

I would have to agree with you too. WHW is definitely a doom band first and foremost, but they do expand beyond that. I've always said that a lot of people on here and elsewhere would dig doom if they gave it the chance, and here's a band that's proven that.

Some people certainly do miss out on a lot of cool stuff due to their misconceptions of genre. For instance with doom if one hears My Dying Bride or Saint Vitus as their first introduction to doom then the whole genre becomes that band and that is so unfair. Granted a lot of doom bands are the same thing over and over again; I like Novembers Doom but it is not much different from My Dying Bride. And the amounts of Saint Vitus worshiping bands is ridiculous, why not just be a cover. But then their are bands like Cathedral that are truly proggressive in their genre although they are only bring in every element from the 70s that Lee can possibly fit in there. I see disco Cathedral, no that has already happened too. HAHA
I always thought Solitude Aeturnus would go over great with a power metal audience.
I find it interesting to look at the evolution of the sub genres of heavy metal; some say Cirith Ungol is doom but way back then it was just heavy metal. Some people discredit death metal still to this day but honestly bands like Pestilence and Atheist stepped up technical playing way above where power metal and modern "progressive" metal bands have ever gone. Yet Ynwie still impresses peole go figure. HAHA

 

[Tom WHW]

Just some thoughts here being that I DO know all of the "WTF?" bands included on PPXII VERY well. Arcturus originated within the Black Metal scene...something of a supergroup...but quickly evolved into something unlike anything else on the planet...and yes...I mean of the "Into The Pandemonium" "Ocean Machine" and "Rage For Order" ilk...more progressive than ANYTHING ever featured at PP, period. Experimental is fine too...but I think every single naysayer had best read Jeff Wagner's "Mean Deviation" for a serious insight into the likes of Arcturus, Ved Buens Ende, Beyond Dawn, Ulver...the black metal scene has been far more progressive than any other subgenre in years...and to me (like Jeff) Dream Theater clones/Insider Out clones are not progressive at all, rather formulaic.

Regarding Therion...they WERE an OK Death Metal band, but nothing truly special...they've since evolved into a very symphonic almost choral group...yes...with REAL singers...sure there's all sorts of stuff going on those albums (for the record I'm not a huge fan)...but they haven't been remotely Death Metal for well over a decade. Autopsy is Death Metal.

WHW...we...are not Doom Metal. True Doom Metal is Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Black Sabbath...or Candlemass. I'm not saying we've never been Doom or that it's not an element...but only 1 album out of everything we've done is pure doom...and that was in 1998...even then "Thus With A Kiss I Die" had plenty of twists and turns. We're progressive in the sense that we continually evolve musically without boundary...we don't copy other bands or even our own past successes. Further, the Progressive music I actually care about (aside from Arcturus and Devin Townsend) is King Crimson, Novalis, Jane, Anyone's Daughter, Grobschnitt, Gentle Giant, Univers Zero, etc...we have far more to do with these bands than anything else...except perhaps early Fates Warning.

All of the above is primarily in response to the notion that terms such as "progressive" and "experimental" are a veil or tactic...we NEVER gave our music a label or swore allegiance to a particular genre...as far as I'm concerned ANY music that is forced into the confines of a specific style is probably shite. Only music from the heart and soul is worth hearing. Anyway, survey the discographies of the bands in question and you're likely to find that a 100% accurate description requires 10 adjectives or more.

That said, Arcturus, Therion, WHW...they're not for everyone...in the same way that Cirith Ungol, Voivod, or hell even Rush isn't for everyone...and that is perfectly fine...that's what makes life interesting...wait...I recant that part about Rush...everyone SHOULD adore them

 

[War Ensemble]

Yes, and from what I can remember they were great


Britt

 

[Up&Away]

It is interesting how people well stretch anything to fit into their justification for liking or disliking something.

^ this

And bands and their record labels will attach the term "progressive" to potentially expand on their listening base. Hoping to attract a DT fan here and there. Sure, they'll throw in the the odd timing signature here and there. But, they are what they are.

I guess experimental would be the term for Arcturus. Not progressive. To me, it's just fucked up black metal with very bad vocals.

 

[zedowns]

^ this

And bands and their record labels will attach the term "progressive" to potentially expand on their listening base. Hoping to attract a DT fan here and there. Sure, they'll throw in the the odd timing signature here and there. But, they are what they are.

I guess experimental would be the term for Arcturus. Not progressive. To me, it's just fucked up black metal with very bad vocals.

jesus fucking christ

 

[Stingray11214]

Lemme chime into all this:

Vanden Plas: Not really into them. Maybe check out after two songs
Evergrey: I like their last CD. But, I am not going to give up OT in NY just to catch Evergrey.

Thursday I will not kill myself to get to. Probably wait until Friday

Creation End: My wife will go to the seats. I am going to the rail.
Voyager: Wife at the seats, I am staying on the rail. Liked what they put out.
Eldritch: I'll join my wife in the seats. Go to eat after two songs
Mob Rules: If not in two songs, the bar
Arcturus: Can't get into them. The tables.
Sanctuary: As close to the rail as possible. If this was Nevermore, I would be on the rail.
Haken: At the Atlanta Zoo with the wife
WHW: If this was Brave, rail. WHW? probably straggle in late.
Red Circuit: See Eldritch
Labyrinth: Wife at the seats. Me? Planting my ass on the rail.
Dream Evil: "We are the chosen ones/we sacrifice our blood/we kill for honor/We are the holy ones/our armor....um,er....rail.
Therion: Last time Therion played here, I had tickets and my wife was in the hospital. There are bands that you watch on the rail. Others you sit on the seats and soak it in of all its metal glory. Therion is one band that you watch for the whole show and soak it all in.

 

[Diamond45]

I'm not a huge prog fan, but this year's lineup of prog bands are the ones I appreciate and listen to on a regular basis.

As a band sponsor, I have the privilage to be in the "pit" area next to the stage for the first 2 songs of every band on Fri/Sat night and be there for my band the entire set! Like last year, I'll take full advantage of that!

Thursday:

Vanden Plas: If I'm not up on the rail I'll be as close as I can be.

Evergrey: This band I didn't really appreciate until I started listening to their back catalog. Though I like their two most recent albums (which most everyone else panned), I still liked them. Same as VP - if I'm not up on the rail I'll be as close as possible.

Friday:

Creation End: From what I've heard so far I like them, but not really like them. Probably be in the pit for 2 songs, then in the seats.

Voyager: Wow.. this band suprised the shit out of me. Thought they'd be a sleeper band but I'm really into these guys. First 2 songs in the pit, then on the floor (if there's any room)

Eldritch: Duh! In the pit the entire set! Hope my band can really put it on live!

Mob Rules: Pit for first 2 songs, then I'll see...

Arcturus: Pit for first 2 songs, then I'll see...

Sanctuary: Pit for first 2 songs, then in the seats. (Not much of a fan of old school metal)

Saturday:

Haken: Pit for first 2 songs, then in the seats.

WHW: Pit for first 2 songs, then I'll see...(though I really want to support the home team though, since they're just up the road from me!)

Red Circuit: Pit for first 2 songs, then on the floor.

Labyrinth: Pit for first 2 songs, then I'll see...

Dream Evil: Pit for first 2 songs, then on the floor!

Therion: When I saw them at PP USA in 2005, I was just getting into this type of music and I didn't appreciate them as much as I do now. Pit for first 2 songs, then on the floor as long as I can stand up (considering my knee problems, maybe for an hour max, then in the seats for the rest of the set).

Is it September 2011 yet???

 

[Diamond45]

Eldritch: This is one of my top highlight bands .. I kind of expect them to be one of the pleasant surprise bands for those that aren't all that familiar.

Suggestions?

El Nino.

Agree with Glenn on this one... after El Nino, then go with their latest two albums Neighbourhell and Blackenday. They are just now finishing up a new album for 2011, so I expect them to play quite a bit from that at PP USA in September.

 

[General Zod]

For anyone not into Vanden Plas on disc... make it a point to catch them live. They are flawless in a live setting. True pros. You won't be disappointed.

 

[General Zod]

Just some thoughts here being that I DO know all of the "WTF?" bands included on PPXII VERY well. Arcturus originated within the Black Metal scene...something of a supergroup...but quickly evolved into something unlike anything else on the planet...and yes...I mean of the "Into The Pandemonium" "Ocean Machine" and "Rage For Order" ilk...more progressive than ANYTHING ever featured at PP, period. Experimental is fine too...but I think every single naysayer had best read Jeff Wagner's "Mean Deviation" for a serious insight into the likes of Arcturus, Ved Buens Ende, Beyond Dawn, Ulver...the black metal scene has been far more progressive than any other subgenre in years...and to me (like Jeff) Dream Theater clones/Insider Out clones are not progressive at all, rather formulaic.

This.

 

[AMBR]

For anyone not into Vanden Plas on disc... make it a point to catch them live. They are flawless in a live setting. True pros. You won't be disappointed.

Agree 100%. I love them on disc, but their live performance takes it to a whole 'nother level. These guys are uber pros and such a treat to watch.

They are my number one band this year. Will soak up every moment. Evergrey, Mob Rules, Red Circuit and Therion will get my full attention. Intrigued by Creations End, Voyager and Eldritch and will probably see most of their sets. Arcturas and While Heaven Wept will get a few songs and see. Haken and Labrynth will be given a listen, but not likely to stay for their whole sets. Gotta be buzzed for Dream Evil. Will look for Milton to determine if I stay.