Okay, so for the bands I actually went in and watched...
Illusion Suite - I lasted about 2-3 songs. Not my bag.
Seventh Wonder - I missed them at ProgPower Europe due to my little medical misadventure, and they were one of the bands I was really looking forward to then and this time around. Yes, I've been grumbling for the last year, year and a half about the crappy voiceovers on Mercy Falls (which really grew on me after a while), but only because a. they're crappy and b. they get in the way of listening to Tommy, who totally brought it. They all did. I expected the show to be good, but I didn't expect it to be that freaking good. It took the collective crowd about three songs to realize it, but by that point, it was hands in the air on the whole floor.
Kamelot - I did the "give it a chance" thing, because I am *not* a Circus Maximus fan - again, not my bag. (And in the interest of being honest, the only Kamelot disc I really like is The Black Halo, but they're a fun experience live.) But the *only* reason I got up and left is because I was so exhausted (and maybe a leeetle bit drunk) that I couldn't see straight anymore. Michael did an amazing Khan. He did everything right, without coming off like he was trying to imitate him. Props and cheers.
Delain - Another "give it a chance" attempt - I keep trying to like them, and it keeps not happening. But it's not surprising; if you know my tastes, I much prefer the women who sing loooooower not hiiiiigher. (cf. Johnette Napolitano, Anette instead of Tarja.)
Tarot - what fun! I'm not really familiar with them at all, other than having given a couple albums a couple of spins, nor am I much into Nightwish apart from their instrumental disc, but they were a blast to watch on stage. Marco was also incredibly nice and accommodating - I saw him walking around the hallways and the Vinyl all weekend, chatting with absolutely anyone and everyone who approached him. (most of the bands did, but I expected him to get mobbed.)
HammerFall - lots of fun as well.
PS: @MetalMilitia. I do SO like more than two bands. Who do you take me for, BenMech or something? I like at least five or ten bands!
Illusion Suite - I lasted about 2-3 songs. Not my bag.
Seventh Wonder - I missed them at ProgPower Europe due to my little medical misadventure, and they were one of the bands I was really looking forward to then and this time around. Yes, I've been grumbling for the last year, year and a half about the crappy voiceovers on Mercy Falls (which really grew on me after a while), but only because a. they're crappy and b. they get in the way of listening to Tommy, who totally brought it. They all did. I expected the show to be good, but I didn't expect it to be that freaking good. It took the collective crowd about three songs to realize it, but by that point, it was hands in the air on the whole floor.
Kamelot - I did the "give it a chance" thing, because I am *not* a Circus Maximus fan - again, not my bag. (And in the interest of being honest, the only Kamelot disc I really like is The Black Halo, but they're a fun experience live.) But the *only* reason I got up and left is because I was so exhausted (and maybe a leeetle bit drunk) that I couldn't see straight anymore. Michael did an amazing Khan. He did everything right, without coming off like he was trying to imitate him. Props and cheers.
Delain - Another "give it a chance" attempt - I keep trying to like them, and it keeps not happening. But it's not surprising; if you know my tastes, I much prefer the women who sing loooooower not hiiiiigher. (cf. Johnette Napolitano, Anette instead of Tarja.)
Tarot - what fun! I'm not really familiar with them at all, other than having given a couple albums a couple of spins, nor am I much into Nightwish apart from their instrumental disc, but they were a blast to watch on stage. Marco was also incredibly nice and accommodating - I saw him walking around the hallways and the Vinyl all weekend, chatting with absolutely anyone and everyone who approached him. (most of the bands did, but I expected him to get mobbed.)
HammerFall - lots of fun as well.
PS: @MetalMilitia. I do SO like more than two bands. Who do you take me for, BenMech or something? I like at least five or ten bands!