The Official "How was the Hellish Rock Show" at ProgPower 9?
- Thread starter Savage Pumpkin
- Start date
musicsnob
Cock of Knowledge
- Mar 25, 2003
- 66
- 0
- 6
I didn't see Manticora, but I did see Gamma Ray and Helloween. I'm not as big a fan of Gamma Ray since Ralf left, nor am I a big fan of their past few "Priest worship" discs, but they sounded good. They played mostly fairly new stuff with a chestnut or two thrown in for good measure. The band sounded good and looked to be having a good time. For the second night in a row we were asked to sympathize with someone performing after having recently had surgery. Wah. Tell it to the Army guys in Iraq running patrols for 12 hours in 130 degree heat wearing full battle gear 
Anyway, Helloween came on next and the sound really sucked, at least from where I sat. I really do like Helloween but I thought maybe they played too many Kiske songs. After the first intermission the sound seemed to clear up a bit and it became more enjoyable. After the second intermission (how many cliche moments does a show need?), all of Gamma Ray joined Helloween on stage and played a couple of classics (Future World and I Want Out) and that went down well. Andi Deris is rather strange and his voice is not at all suited for Kiske's stuff. The guitars never sounded right to me. Overall I'm glad I went, but Helloween could have sounded better, in my opinion.
Kevin
Anyway, Helloween came on next and the sound really sucked, at least from where I sat. I really do like Helloween but I thought maybe they played too many Kiske songs. After the first intermission the sound seemed to clear up a bit and it became more enjoyable. After the second intermission (how many cliche moments does a show need?), all of Gamma Ray joined Helloween on stage and played a couple of classics (Future World and I Want Out) and that went down well. Andi Deris is rather strange and his voice is not at all suited for Kiske's stuff. The guitars never sounded right to me. Overall I'm glad I went, but Helloween could have sounded better, in my opinion.Kevin
ICEDEARTHFAN
IN MEMORY.....
I thought Gamma Ray out performed Helloween.Although I did enjoy the Helloween set.Kai coming out with Helloween for 2 songs was awesome to me.Thanks for making this happen,Glenn!!!!
nailz
Member
Gamma Ray destroyed the place. Center Stage is being rebuilt as we party. I left for my hotel room to puke after them so i missed Helloween. Uh.. yah. Also I got really drunk.
edit: and I met Elvenking.
edit: and I met Elvenking.
Jasonic
Doom On!
Liked Gamma Ray... left early during Helloween (a song or two after the drum solo). Helloween wasn't doing it for me, and yes, it was like watching the loudness war live. They seemed like they wanted to be the loudest band of the night and it made them sound like a amateurs. I enjoyed the first song they played off the new album most (not sure if they played more off it), because it was the most unique but also came through the best (Deris is best in the lower registers, he is quite week when trying to seeing high).
Nontheless the fact that your ear goes to shit as well. But if you want to enjoy yourself at the expense of actually being able to enjoy the music.... I guess getting wasted works.
This was first time seeing any of the bands. I was very familiar with Gamma Ray and Helloween's work, not with Manticora's.
Manticora was alright. Bass player was badass. Vocalist was active and tall. The music sounded somewhat like Stratovarius or Blind Guardian. There were a few good parts, I may get one of their CDs.
I recognize GR as one of the solid if not top power metal bands. They probably moved half a step up in my eyes. They put on a very very impressive show. Kai Hansen was funny, could sing much better than I expected live, and play like a madmen. Metal cliches were strong, especially I got a kick of the Manowarian finale.
Helloween is like my top 12th band, so my expectations were high. And they delivered. Intro with Helloween was great, then it kinda slowed down for me. They have a lot of great songs, so the second half of the show was awesome. Andi Deris is quite interactive with the crowd, with almost a crazy Dickinson/Lee Roth (not as good as either of course) vibe. He sang pretty welll too, especially the latest material. The highlight was of course the grand finale with GR joining them on stage for Future World and I Want Out. 4 guitarists and 2 bassists kicked ass!
Kai and Andi shared vocals, and at this point the whole venue was finally fully involved.
I feel that it was totally worth the 4+ hour drive, a short sleep and a pissed of wife, as I write this from work.
Manticora was alright. Bass player was badass. Vocalist was active and tall. The music sounded somewhat like Stratovarius or Blind Guardian. There were a few good parts, I may get one of their CDs.
I recognize GR as one of the solid if not top power metal bands. They probably moved half a step up in my eyes. They put on a very very impressive show. Kai Hansen was funny, could sing much better than I expected live, and play like a madmen. Metal cliches were strong, especially I got a kick of the Manowarian finale.
Helloween is like my top 12th band, so my expectations were high. And they delivered. Intro with Helloween was great, then it kinda slowed down for me. They have a lot of great songs, so the second half of the show was awesome. Andi Deris is quite interactive with the crowd, with almost a crazy Dickinson/Lee Roth (not as good as either of course) vibe. He sang pretty welll too, especially the latest material. The highlight was of course the grand finale with GR joining them on stage for Future World and I Want Out. 4 guitarists and 2 bassists kicked ass!
Kai and Andi shared vocals, and at this point the whole venue was finally fully involved. I feel that it was totally worth the 4+ hour drive, a short sleep and a pissed of wife, as I write this from work.
See You In Hell
Is this the real McCoy?
Manticora 10/10
Gamma Ray 10.5/10
Helloween 11/10
Gamma Ray and Helloween did a combo jam at the end of the night that included the helloclassics FUTURE WORLD and I WANT OUT!
Helluva show!
nailz
Member
I wasn't really loaded. I just don't hold my alcohol well, and when you're constantly being handed drinks (on an empty stomach even) it's hard to stop. That said, I couldn't have cared less about Helloween's set.
Diamond45
Terminate Bad Music
Overall reaction:
I'm not a big fan of Manticora, but they put on a pretty good show. Probably 9/10.
Gamma Ray was awesome. 10/10
Helloween was also good. 9.5/10
Watching both Gamma Ray and Helloween do a joint encore - Priceless. 11/10
Definately worth the price of admission to just see these three bands together - and to see Gamma Ray and Helloween on the same stage at the same time.
And the party has only just begun!!!
I'm not a big fan of Manticora, but they put on a pretty good show. Probably 9/10.
Gamma Ray was awesome. 10/10
Helloween was also good. 9.5/10
Watching both Gamma Ray and Helloween do a joint encore - Priceless. 11/10
Definately worth the price of admission to just see these three bands together - and to see Gamma Ray and Helloween on the same stage at the same time.
And the party has only just begun!!!
Force10
Member
Manticora was great, though Kristian was not there and his rhythm guitar was missed.
As mentioned, Gamma Ray owned the stage. Better show than PPIII. 4 words - Ride The Fucking Sky.
Helloween played an excellent gig, but things got a little slow when they went ballad-ballad-drum solo. Plus they finished with a medley, and I'm not a big fan of those. Throw in guitar trouble for Sascha during Eagle Fly Free (I believe) for another distraction. Sascha and Wieki are two of the most effortless guitar players I've ever seen - fun to watch!
The finale with both bands on stage was fun.
I thought the sound on the floor was pretty good.
As mentioned, Gamma Ray owned the stage. Better show than PPIII. 4 words - Ride The Fucking Sky.
Helloween played an excellent gig, but things got a little slow when they went ballad-ballad-drum solo. Plus they finished with a medley, and I'm not a big fan of those. Throw in guitar trouble for Sascha during Eagle Fly Free (I believe) for another distraction. Sascha and Wieki are two of the most effortless guitar players I've ever seen - fun to watch!
The finale with both bands on stage was fun.
I thought the sound on the floor was pretty good.
Helloween's sound could have been better, but they did really well. I just realized this morning that they didn't play anything from Better Than Raw. I was definitely happy with Eagle Fly Free and the ending with Gamma Ray was great. And while they didn't play full versions of some songs, I guess the snippets were ok, like Where The Rain Grows.
Gamma Ray was great as well. It would have been nice if they played Rebellion in Dreamland the whole way through. And playing Heaven Can Wait second was nice.
Sometimes I found Manticora very entertaining, and sometimes boring. Maybe it was the songs. But good overall. The singer looks like he came straight out of that Dethklok cartoon. Not a negative comment, just how he appeared to me.
Gamma Ray was great as well. It would have been nice if they played Rebellion in Dreamland the whole way through. And playing Heaven Can Wait second was nice.
Sometimes I found Manticora very entertaining, and sometimes boring. Maybe it was the songs. But good overall. The singer looks like he came straight out of that Dethklok cartoon. Not a negative comment, just how he appeared to me.
Dan-O-War
Very Metal
Filthy animals.
The entire show was excellent. I enjoyed Manticora a lot having never heard their music before.
Gamma Ray was superb, oh yes. Those guys seemed to really enjoy what they do.
Helloween was awesome. Good song list, even the new stuff.
The encore was great. Can't ask for anything better.
Hopefully tonight there won't be any drunk tards trying to jump on stage and almost knock down speakers.
The entire show was excellent. I enjoyed Manticora a lot having never heard their music before.
Gamma Ray was superb, oh yes. Those guys seemed to really enjoy what they do.
Helloween was awesome. Good song list, even the new stuff.
The encore was great. Can't ask for anything better.
Hopefully tonight there won't be any drunk tards trying to jump on stage and almost knock down speakers.
RiffDaemon
Member
Kai gave us all a clinic on how to be a rockstar. I didn't even look forward to Helloween after Gamma Ray were through - we only stayed around because we knew that Kai & Co. would be back to join them. Hell, I'm not even sure the rest of the festival will be able to top that for me .... (still looking forward to Iron Savior, Jon Oliva, and Iced Earth)
Oh, and the sound was spot-on for all of it. Quite surprising.
I just threw up.
Seriously, Henjo had eye surgery and was wearing Lennon glasses. Why not poke fun at him? It was quite humorous.
.... (still looking forward to Iron Savior, Jon Oliva, and Iced Earth)Oh, and the sound was spot-on for all of it. Quite surprising.
For the second night in a row we were asked to sympathize with someone performing after having recently had surgery. Wah. Tell it to the Army guys in Iraq running patrols for 12 hours in 130 degree heat wearing full battle gear
I just threw up.Seriously, Henjo had eye surgery and was wearing Lennon glasses. Why not poke fun at him? It was quite humorous.
edgeofthorns
24 Hours Ago...
I thoroughly enjoyed both Helloween and Gamma Ray. It was my first time seeing both bands and they didn't disappoint.
~Brian~
~Brian~
Dustro25
The Land Of Glerz Cove
Good show. Both bands kicked ass. Both bands could have played about 4 songs more each and the house would have came down. But overall a very fun night. I wish I could be there in Chicago sat night...
Entrerie
Member
- Sep 14, 2006
- 552
- 2
- 16
They played "I can", was hoping for "Falling Higher" or "Laudate Dominum", and they only played "Power" from "Time of the Oath", would have loved "Before the War" or "Mission Motherland".
I love Helloween, and I also love Gamma Ray. Gamma Ray did sound a little better but mainly I was awestruck at Kai's singing while chewing bubblegum the whole time LMAO he truely came to "chew bubblegum and kick ass!".
Similar threads
