Sonata must have some quiet, yet supportive fans.... They lead the voting (and have done so every time I've checked the poll), but you'd never know it from the posts in this thread.
Had to vote for After Forever as I've never seen them before and I'm VERY excited! But Sonata Arctica, Threshold and Vandan Plas are way up there for me too.
I'm pretty close to AMBR's list
After Forever (never seen before; Incredibly excited!!!)
Sonata Arctica (seen before; love them and looking forward to seeing them in a PP setting)
Threshold (LOVE THESE GUYS!)
Vanden Plas (what I've heard is good)
Pagan's Mind (love their stuff)
Primal Fear (fairly new to me; looking forward to checking them out)
Virgin Steele (fairly new to me; looking forward to checking them out)
Firewind (fairly new to me; looking forward to checking them out)
Redemption (heard their stuff, but it's taking awhile to grow on me; excited to see if they wow me live)
Raintime (fairly new to me; looking forward to checking them out)
Freak Kitchen (they were fun last year - looking forward to seeing them again)
Communic (fairly new to me; looking forward to checking them out)
Much like potato chips...how do you pick just one?
Puhleeze....Vanden Plas, Redemption, Pagan's Mind, Freak Kitchen, Threshold, Sonata Arctica? Too many good ones to choose from and some that look like they might be good. I mean when will I get time to shop and hang out with friends? During daylight?
I'm wondering the same thing myself. I've been eyeballing this poll for days and there is no way I can pick one. Or two. Or even three.
I HAVE to see Pagans Mind, Redemption (good thing since I'm a sponsor ), Threshold, Firewind, Raintime, Communic, Sonata Artica, Vanden Plas and Freak Kitchen.
That leaves three bands (or more depending on the other showcase bands) that I can go either way on. That does not leave much hanging out time.