hoodaman
Is it live or is it Dave?
- Dec 19, 2006
- 857
- 29
- 28
I'm going to agree. You've got a keyboard player. You've got a synth part being piped in and he's not doing anything. Put his ass to work!
The Official First Impressions/Updates/Reviews of this year's ProgPower
- Thread starter AngraRULES
- Start date
I'm going to agree. You've got a keyboard player. You've got a synth part being piped in and he's not doing anything. Put his ass to work!
sh0kr0k
Active Member
sh0kr0k
Active Member
Stormwarrior promised some crazy-fast power metal and they delivered it! I was still exhausted from last night so I didn't have very much energy for them. After a quick trip to the always-amazing vendor room (where I bought the new James Labrie solo + t-shirt + poster combo!!) I came back in to find Oceans of Sadness had already started. Boy did they perk me right up. What a show! Surprise of the fest for me. I know most people are going to complain about the smoke and the growlie harsh vocals, but it was hella energetic and incredibly interesting to listen to. Don't know why I never listened to them much on CD before the fest, but I'm a new fan now! After their set, I made it over to Glenn's Insider Sale and bought the latest Arcturus for a whoppin' $12 \m/ Stuck it next to my new Kamelot and headed back to the room for a quick sandwich. I love ProgPower.
Saturday:
StormWarrior- Decent setlist, but their mics seemed screwed for their entire set. It was really bad to start with, and although it got better the mics never really seemed to clear up.
Oceans of Sadness- Oceans of Amorphness? Liked them, and bought "The Arrogance of Ignorance" after the set.
DGM- A painful test of endurance for me. For those who love endless songs with prolonged keyboard wankery Prog thy were probably great.
Delain- The gods sent and angel to ProgPower USA to rule the stage for an hour. Someone said there was a band up there as well. I don't know. Could have been. I didn't notice.
Tarot- A good setlist, but a bit too much clowning around, IMO. Might have worked better if people could understand everything they were saying.
Also, the guitar was mixed WAY too loud. The keyboard were up a little too much too, but not as much as the guitar. They sounded okay until Zachary's axe kicked in, then it was just overpowering.
HammerFall- One of my favorite headliners to date. Even if you don't like their music, they were well rehearsed and tight.
I loved the fact that Joacim finally fixed that "Poorly placed button," on the mic by wrapping four layers of duct tape around the damn thing.
Thanks Glenn, Shane, and the crew.
StormWarrior- Decent setlist, but their mics seemed screwed for their entire set. It was really bad to start with, and although it got better the mics never really seemed to clear up.
Oceans of Sadness- Oceans of Amorphness? Liked them, and bought "The Arrogance of Ignorance" after the set.
DGM- A painful test of endurance for me. For those who love endless songs with prolonged keyboard wankery Prog thy were probably great.
Delain- The gods sent and angel to ProgPower USA to rule the stage for an hour. Someone said there was a band up there as well. I don't know. Could have been. I didn't notice.
Tarot- A good setlist, but a bit too much clowning around, IMO. Might have worked better if people could understand everything they were saying.
Also, the guitar was mixed WAY too loud. The keyboard were up a little too much too, but not as much as the guitar. They sounded okay until Zachary's axe kicked in, then it was just overpowering.
HammerFall- One of my favorite headliners to date. Even if you don't like their music, they were well rehearsed and tight.
I loved the fact that Joacim finally fixed that "Poorly placed button," on the mic by wrapping four layers of duct tape around the damn thing.
Thanks Glenn, Shane, and the crew.
Heavenly Call
Member
I have the setlist from NR (signed too WHOOHOO!).
The Encore was
Afterlife
Fools Never Die
Against The World
thornburgh
New Metal Member
Thank you for an amazing festival. I flew in from San Diego for my first Progpower, and I've never been to a better organized concert. I loved the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, which really stands in contrast with so many venues that are so obsessed with what you do with your drink, your camera, etc. Really appreciated the water jugs and free program with interviews. Liked being able to move between floor and seats. Loved the signing sessions, and hanging with the bands in the bar. And most of all loved the music.
Also, given the tremendous response to Delain, have you considered organizing a separate show featuring European femme metal? Bring back Delain and try to get Within Temptation, Nightwish, Epica, Tarja, Sirenia, Krypteria, Omega Lithium, et al? Maybe add Halestorm to represent the USA? It would be a blast.
Also, given the tremendous response to Delain, have you considered organizing a separate show featuring European femme metal? Bring back Delain and try to get Within Temptation, Nightwish, Epica, Tarja, Sirenia, Krypteria, Omega Lithium, et al? Maybe add Halestorm to represent the USA? It would be a blast.
Exploding Ned
Member
Hawkwind would obviously be way off format for PP, but the biggest obstacle would be the fact that the band isn't interesting in touring the U.S. anymore... reason being they can do a show for 2000 people in the U.K., drive 50 miles and do another for 2000, etc. etc. They've stated this a few times in recent years to their inner circle of fans/friends. They've pretty much written off the U.S. for obvious financial reasons... but yeah it would be great to see them again... just not at PP. Best place to check them out would be a space rock/psych festival in England.
So Jasonic, how did you enjoy the PP weekend this year?
dionysus11
MSTmike3K
Right now all I can say is that Hammerfall was amazing to me,they were tight kickass guitar solos,and the vocals were all on top!!! and as always they get the crowd really involved, and thats a really good thing!!! There was a little delay,before Leaves Eyes and Delain, but it didn't mess up anything for. Delain was a really big shocker to me,I was not a fan until I saw them live,and I notice they didn't have the death metal vocals very much,because I hate that, so now I picked up an album of theirs. Illusion Suite, was really kickass and really nice guys,Seventh Wonder was amazing,and had the crowd going crazy,same thing with Tarot they really rocked the house. Kamelot they only mistake Michael made was during the Ghost Opera, other than that dead on greatness,and they has delain singer guest on the Haunting, All together a really amazing show the highlight for me was Hammerfall for sure,I was front row,and Oscar personally handed me one of his picks after the show, I got pictures with all the guys,and all my stuff signed by them (even my Mrs.Hippie,signed by Cans cd).Now I just can't wait till next year!!!! I dont care how badly this is written,when we left the show lastnight we drove straight home with no sleep.
Exploding Ned
Member
Already exists:
http://www.myspace.com/femalemetalfest
http://www.metalfemalevoicesfest.be/
etc. etc.
Friday:
Illusion Suite - entertaining good stuff.
Blackguard - not a fan.
Leaves Eyes - missed.
Seventh Wonder - missed unfortunately
Tyr - after the singer had a shot of vodka he was on, great set, great fun
Nocturnal Rites - Got bored and tired. But they were tight and were having a great time. Enjoyed a few of the songs. Too much repetition though.
Kamelot - good stuff. Circus Maximus guy is good, of course, but not Khan, still good time.
Saturday:
Stormwarrior: Fun for a bit, then wore thin. Not much going on there.
Oceans of Sadness: Best set from a band I haven't seen before. Great stuff. Great time. Lead singer was spot on with all that he does.
DGM: Left after 2 songs. Really bland proggy stuff. Lead singer is very dry and limited.
Delain: Bland. Sat outside for it. Couldn't wait for it to end.
Tarot: Left after a few songs. Wasn't sure what I'd think about them live, as I've only listened to their last 2 albums. Did nothing for me. Really loud which made it all mash together like one note.
Hammerfall: Skipped. Was tired, not really a fan of them. Knew that I'd enjoy them for 2 songs, then get tired of the repetitiveness.
Illusion Suite - entertaining good stuff.
Blackguard - not a fan.
Leaves Eyes - missed.
Seventh Wonder - missed unfortunately
Tyr - after the singer had a shot of vodka he was on, great set, great fun
Nocturnal Rites - Got bored and tired. But they were tight and were having a great time. Enjoyed a few of the songs. Too much repetition though.
Kamelot - good stuff. Circus Maximus guy is good, of course, but not Khan, still good time.
Saturday:
Stormwarrior: Fun for a bit, then wore thin. Not much going on there.
Oceans of Sadness: Best set from a band I haven't seen before. Great stuff. Great time. Lead singer was spot on with all that he does.
DGM: Left after 2 songs. Really bland proggy stuff. Lead singer is very dry and limited.
Delain: Bland. Sat outside for it. Couldn't wait for it to end.
Tarot: Left after a few songs. Wasn't sure what I'd think about them live, as I've only listened to their last 2 albums. Did nothing for me. Really loud which made it all mash together like one note.
Hammerfall: Skipped. Was tired, not really a fan of them. Knew that I'd enjoy them for 2 songs, then get tired of the repetitiveness.
Exploding Ned
Member
Saw some of Leaves Eyes, Nocturnal Rites and Delain sets... Liv's voice is much stronger and the band were very tight live. Delain same thing, the singer is beautiful and has an equally beautiful voice, and NR were solid.
Now.. the problem, and sorry to step on some toes here, but I am basically fed up with the poor job most of the P.A. guys do at PP. When I see a guitarist flying 100mph on the fretboard, and can't hear a f@$%ing thing they're playing, I get pi$$ed. I mean, why should a band go to the trouble of preparing for and flying over here to perform, if their set isn't mixed properly? Why should their chances of being received properly, be compromised by the live sound? The P.A. guy for NR was especially bad... whether it was their guy or whoever... he was shit. I had to leave or else I would've been escorted out for confronting him. If NR were playing on TV I would expect the guitar solos to not be heard, but live concert P.A. guys aren't supposed to be that out of touch with the actualities of sound. Way too much bass, too much drums sometimes, not enough volume on the vocals, and sure as hell not enough volume of the guitars and especially the guitar solos. And no, my ears aren't shot (yet). I hear and understand all frequencies equally.
The LEAD instruments are meant to be the main instruments heard by the crowd! The other parts are backup to accentuate the lead parts. Sorry, but I am really fed up with too much bass and drums and not enough leads. It's just wrong and I've had enough of it for one lifetime.
Now.. the problem, and sorry to step on some toes here, but I am basically fed up with the poor job most of the P.A. guys do at PP. When I see a guitarist flying 100mph on the fretboard, and can't hear a f@$%ing thing they're playing, I get pi$$ed. I mean, why should a band go to the trouble of preparing for and flying over here to perform, if their set isn't mixed properly? Why should their chances of being received properly, be compromised by the live sound? The P.A. guy for NR was especially bad... whether it was their guy or whoever... he was shit. I had to leave or else I would've been escorted out for confronting him. If NR were playing on TV I would expect the guitar solos to not be heard, but live concert P.A. guys aren't supposed to be that out of touch with the actualities of sound. Way too much bass, too much drums sometimes, not enough volume on the vocals, and sure as hell not enough volume of the guitars and especially the guitar solos. And no, my ears aren't shot (yet). I hear and understand all frequencies equally.
The LEAD instruments are meant to be the main instruments heard by the crowd! The other parts are backup to accentuate the lead parts. Sorry, but I am really fed up with too much bass and drums and not enough leads. It's just wrong and I've had enough of it for one lifetime.
Exploding Ned
Member
Corsair
Member
- Aug 17, 2009
- 550
- 1
- 18
Everyone was fantastic saturday, except for Delain, which tended to be pretty boring (and the long delay-n (OH HOH HO MADE A FUNNY THAR.) before they went on didn't help matters.), but I still managed to get some entertainment out of it; That being said, I don't really get the appeal here, the songs are really damned formulaic. As far as leaving in the middle of a set, I never do it, no matter how much I dislike a band. I paid for the damn ticket and I'm not letting that money go to waste; and I have been surprised before.
I even sat through Royal Hunt's set last year which was pure snooze (which is sad because I actually like the band's music.)
I'd say Oceans of Sadness stole the show. Most people don't really watch drummers but that dude was awesome. Stormwarrior was fun, and good for an opener, DGM did good by sticking with much of their newer material even if it does tend to lack variety, but considering I had pretty low expectations for the live show, they did damn good. Tarot's set started off a little weak but gathered momentum as it went on, but I might have still been riding low-tide from Delain.
Unfortunately I couldn't stay for hammerfall however. I'm not even a big fan of the band but I was thinking they'd be fun to watch, but shit happens and you can't plan for every contingency.
ALso more sad is that my Fiancee wouldn't let me wear my planned t-shirt with my avatar printed on it with the text "Special delivery: Here's your package, Love Geoff"
I even sat through Royal Hunt's set last year which was pure snooze (which is sad because I actually like the band's music.)
I'd say Oceans of Sadness stole the show. Most people don't really watch drummers but that dude was awesome. Stormwarrior was fun, and good for an opener, DGM did good by sticking with much of their newer material even if it does tend to lack variety, but considering I had pretty low expectations for the live show, they did damn good. Tarot's set started off a little weak but gathered momentum as it went on, but I might have still been riding low-tide from Delain.
Unfortunately I couldn't stay for hammerfall however. I'm not even a big fan of the band but I was thinking they'd be fun to watch, but shit happens and you can't plan for every contingency.
ALso more sad is that my Fiancee wouldn't let me wear my planned t-shirt with my avatar printed on it with the text "Special delivery: Here's your package, Love Geoff"
nomisofsiman
Member
It's good to hear that from most people so far that OoS stole the show. I was expecting that to happen.
Corsair
Member
- Aug 17, 2009
- 550
- 1
- 18
Well what's more than that is that prior to last night, I had only heard a couple of samples that didn't impress me so I wrote them off as being a band I probably wouldn't enjoy, but I gave them a shot, and I'm sold. Definitely going to be picking up some more of their material. If I hadn't already blown my cash wad prior to that, I would have grabbed up some merch.
What I don't get is the big, warm response for Delain. I'm all for the ladies getting into metal, but I think I heard maybe three songs that didn't stick strictly to the "heavy-part-soft-part-i'm-so-sad" formula. But hey, to each his own. but for me, it was pretty close to being a nap.
Even though I couldn't make it to the festival, I figured that Delain would be pretty good, and I think the reason they probably got such a big reception is because Charlotte Wessels has such a georgous voice...If anyone doesn't think she has a gorgeous voice, then they need to seriously check their years...I've seen her sing a couple of songs solo on youtube.com before and her voice is absolutely beautiful, something that cannot be denied, and if her voice sounded as good live as it does in the studio, then I would have been going crazy too!!
Diabolik
Member
beat me to it. It is almost like....why did you go?
sidenote.....Jason wasnt at PP Ned. He was online trying to figure out where to get updates. It was funny because I was on twitter telling him who was playing as they were getting announced. Saturday he was at Chuck E Cheese. So no...he never came down. He is a professional armchair quarterback like myself.
I am confused though. I continuously hear how amazing the sound is at PP but then I always read about people complaining about the mix there? which is it? is the sound good or is it just ok? seems to be different for each band and person?
Similar threads
