The Official I'm Back From PPVII Thread

[Wheezer]

Brent- Roust em roust em roust em!! LOL as usual the ever mellow Wheezer had a blast hanging out with you. If you and Bryant want to wrestle next year.....let's move the coffee table out of the way first!!!

Kitty you and Pabla are the best! Glad you both made it. You two are always around, making your way through the crowd, high fiving and pumping everyone up.

There will be no wrastlin' next year. I'll just wait until Bryant's asleep and drag him out by his hair.

 

[Wheezer]

The shrimp rousting story is pretty funny and is really a microcosm of what PP is all about. There's people from all over the world that come together, interact and create memories that last a lifetime.

On Friday morning, much too early to really be respectable, Wyvern, Dark Tide (DT), Dark One (DO) and I all made the trek to the Georgia Aquarium. DT and DO are a coupla friends that I know from another board. To make a long story short, we made our way through all of the exhibits except the one they have set up for children. We debated a bit about going through it and then decided why not.

The exhibit has a lot of critters in smaller pools that you can touch, if you want to -- rays, sharks, shrimp and a few other things. Quite honestly, the only time I really care to touch sea critters is with my fork when they're on my plate. The pool with the shrimp was the last bit of the exhibit and we were trying to decide if one particular, half buried, sort of upside down shrimp was alive or not. I was fine with it remaining a mystery but DT was not. He began pressuring me into touching the shrimp. It went something like this:

DT: Come on Brent, you gotta roust him.
Me: Nah, I don't want to put my hand in there
DT: Don't you want to know if he's alive or not?
Me: Yeah, but it's not that big of a deal.
DT: Come on Brent! Roust him! ROUST HIM!!!
Me: Ok, fine.

So I stuck my arm in up to the elbow, touched the shrimp and it didn't move. Then I moved a little to the side of him and touched him there. At about the same time DO did a bit of a yell and the shrimp kicked and took off. To say it startled me would be an understatement. I jerked my hand up out of the water so fast that a column of water followed it's exit to the surface. Of course there was a group of schoolchildren at the other end of the pond. There were very entertained by the old man that was scared by the shrimp. I was embarassed but laughing my ass off at the same time.

So without DT pressuring me into it and DO's timely yell it would have never happened. It made for a good memory and a funny story to tell.

 

[carnut]

The shrimp rousting story is pretty funny and is really a microcosm of what PP is all about. There's people from all over the world that come together, interact and create memories that last a lifetime.

On Friday morning, much too early to really be respectable, Wyvern, Dark Tide (DT), Dark One (DO) and I all made the trek to the Georgia Aquarium. DT and DO are a coupla friends that I know from another board. To make a long story short, we made our way through all of the exhibits except the one they have set up for children. We debated a bit about going through it and then decided why not.

The exhibit has a lot of critters in smaller pools that you can touch, if you want to -- rays, sharks, shrimp and a few other things. Quite honestly, the only time I really care to touch sea critters is with my fork when they're on my plate. The pool with the shrimp was the last bit of the exhibit and we were trying to decide if one particular, half buried, sort of upside down shrimp was alive or not. I was fine with it remaining a mystery but DT was not. He began pressuring me into touching the shrimp. It went something like this:

DT: Come on Brent, you gotta roust him.
Me: Nah, I don't want to put my hand in there
DT: Don't you want to know if he's alive or not?
Me: Yeah, but it's not that big of a deal.
DT: Come on Brent! Roust him! ROUST HIM!!!
Me: Ok, fine.

So I stuck my arm in up to the elbow, touched the shrimp and it didn't move. Then I moved a little to the side of him and touched him there. At about the same time DO did a bit of a yell and the shrimp kicked and took off. To say it startled me would be an understatement. I jerked my hand up out of the water so fast that a column of water followed it's exit to the surface. Of course there was a group of schoolchildren at the other end of the pond. There were very entertained by the old man that was scared by the shrimp. I was embarassed but laughing my ass off at the same time.

So without DT pressuring me into it and DO's timely yell it would have never happened. It made for a good memory and a funny story to tell.

Scary people live longer

 

[Narcosynthesys68]

Here's a few of mine. I have yet to sort through all the others and clean them up a bit

You'll have to forgive the last one -- I was taking it and concentrating on getting it rather than posing.

Oh what a nice picture of me! At least you can see that I have taste with the Armoured Saint tee!

Speaking of a great band for Prog Power...!!!

Rolando cracks me up! What a Metal Head!!!

 

[Wheezer]

Oh what a nice picture of me! At least you can see that I have taste with the Armoured Saint tee!

Speaking of a great band for Prog Power...!!!

Rolando cracks me up! What a Metal Head!!!

Sheesh! I look like a dork in every picture.

I think that Leatherwolf may have set the stage for some older bands to at least make the pre-party. AS would be one helluva choice if you ask me. Funny how a lot of people were dead set against Dio for the Saturday headliner but then Jorn goes ahead and does a Dio cover. And then some Whitesnake too. I understand the Whitesnake, but still, 20 year old covers and they were complaining about Dio as a possibility? Eh, whatchagonnado?

Yup! Rolando is a Metal Warrior! Cheers Brother Vern!

 

[Wheezer]

http://www.pbase.com/wieser537/pp_vii&page=all

Pretty heavy on Jorn and CIIC. Just so happens my place in the crowd was the best for those two. That's how it goes. I took far fewer pics this year than usual but the percentage of decent pics was way up. Maybe I've learned something.

 

[carnut]

coming to the question; How was the music ??

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Hmmmm...that shrimp story gives me an idea. Hey Brent, did you know that rattlesnakes sleep in the winter? And look all but dead? If you come visit would you be interested in rousting a rattler? I've got some in my yard just waitin' for ya!

 

[Wheezer]

coming to the question; How was the music ??

Basically, every bit of it that I saw was really good. Let's see if I can do a quick rundown.

Theocracy opened the pre-party on Thursday night. They were fine but not really my cup of tea. They were lacking in stage presence but I think they're all pretty much hired guns minus the lead vox/guitar.

Circus Maximus was next up. They were pretty much dead on for their entire set. They did goof a bit and weren't nearly as sharp as they were last year. They did pick strange times for their new songs -- opening and closing, most notably.

Leatherwolf pretty much kicked my ass. I was a little surprised since I really didn't expect much out of them. They were solid beginning to end and played everything that I had hoped they would. The lead vox dude was a little weird looking with some of his moves but overall they were fun because they looked like they were really enjoying themselves.

CIIC was just fine. I'm not a huge fan but their new one is still getting a lot of play from me. They did do a few Sava songs which pleased the crowd to no end. Stage presence and energy was top notch.

Friday

Pyramaze was pretty much dead on. Lance is an excellent vocalist and a really good frontman. I was disappointed by the pre-recorded backing vox but not too terribly bad. Other bands did the same thing. They played pretty much everything I wanted to hear.

I skipped Savage Circus for a sandwich back in my room.

Freak Kitchen absolutely stole the weekend for me. Dead on and played a ton of what I wanted to hear (Porno Daddy!!!). They absolutely tore it up and made it a lot of fun for everyone that gave them a chance. They were one of the bands I was most looking forward to seeing and they exceeded all expectations. I think a lot of people were blown away by the level of talent those three have and that may get in the way of some snobs letting go and just enjoying them.

Mercenary was fine. Another band I was looking forward to seeing. They played well, were tight but Mikkel could not possibly carry off an entire set vocally. It's more than a little demanding, I'd expect. He did fade a bit at the end but overall it was fine.

Evergrey was good, as expected. The setlist was fine. They were tight. I finally had to leave about halfway through their set. My back was absolutely killing me. I am an old fart, afterall.

Saturday

Zero Hour. I guess they were Ok. I tried them for a couple of song but they just do absolutely nothing for me.

Vision Divine was absolutely incredible they didn't have much in the way of guitar sound for about the first two songs but that was remedied. Luppi was incredibly dead nuts on for every damn song. They also suffered, IMO, from pre-recorded backing vox. The only song that I would have liked to hear that they didn't play was We Are, We Are Not.

Thunderstone was good. Pasi took a bit to warm up, was good for two or three songs and then had some problems again. He was pretty much done after half the set but overall it wasn't terrible. It was a bit of a letdown as they were another of the bands I had come to see.

I only saw a very little bit of Epica. Again, just not my thing.

Jorn was good. Lofstadt was a little more Rhythm guitar than lead. Disappointing for me. Not that the other guitarist left much to be desired. I thought the song selection was a bit weak. Solid all the way around, performance wise though. There were a few too many solos but maybe that's just me. I don't care for them at all. The all star jam at the end of Jorn's set was a very cool way to end the festival, even with the technical difficulties. Not all of the members of the participating acts were up there but I think all were well represented.

There's a setlist thread over on the PP board. Here's the link.

Hopefully others will kick in their two cents because I'm far from being any kind of reviewer and tastes vary from one person to the next.

 

[Wheezer]

Hmmmm...that shrimp story gives me an idea. Hey Brent, did you know that rattlesnakes sleep in the winter? And look all but dead? If you come visit would you be interested in rousting a rattler? I've got some in my yard just waitin' for ya!

Nope. Not gonna happen. I have far more respect for rattlers than I do shrimp. Even though I've had both on my plate and under my fork!

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Nope. Not gonna happen. I have far more respect for rattlers than I do shrimp.

Chicken! You have no sense of adventure.

Even though I've had both on my plate and under my fork!

Okay, maybe a little sense of advenure...since you've tasted rattler. I heard it tastes like chicken.

 

[Death Animal]

http://www.pbase.com/wieser537/pp_vii&page=all

Pretty heavy on Jorn and CIIC. Just so happens my place in the crowd was the best for those two. That's how it goes. I took far fewer pics this year than usual but the percentage of decent pics was way up. Maybe I've learned something.

Nice pics there must been good show.
Glad you all had fun there

 

[TheWhisper]

The shrimp wasn't dead - 'E was pinin'.

 

[Wyvern]

coming to the question; How was the music ??

Pre Party :

1. Leatherwolf (most extraordinary outfit, totally converted by their show, metal the way it has to be)
2. Circus Maximus (worth checking more throughly)
3. CircleIICircle (not much impressed)
4. Theocracy (actually I fall asleep during their show)

Main Show :

1. Jorn (ultra-super-awsome-astounding-superb)
2. Savage Circus (Piet kick ass)
3. Freak Kitchen (don't care about the music but the show is a 11/10, pure genius)
4. Vision Divine (average)
5. Thunderstone (average)
6. Pyramaze (average and I skipp a chunk returning to the hotel with the haul )
7. Mercenary (skipped much of it boring and I didn't like the vocalist)
8. Evergrey (skipped almost enterily, nothing appealing and I was falling asleep heavily)
9. Zero Hour (nothing Spastic Ink hasn't done for me yet, skipped)
10. Epica (boring, unoriginal, repetitive, out of style for the festival IMO)

 

[kittybeast]

Pre Party :

1. Leatherwolf my take -skipped as I saw them in L.A. not impressed
2. Circus Maximus my take- absolutely luv Mike's voice, look forward to new releases
3. CircleIICircle my take totally awesome luv thier stuff didn't know they'd be so hyper and 'Janick' like on stage. stole the preparty for me
4. Theocracy my take= busy doing signings/pictures

Main Show :
1. Jorn my take-
2. Savage Circus my take-busy doing signings/pictures
3. Freak Kitchen my take- wanted to see but other things happening
4. Vision Divine my take- luv the vocals and decent riffs but after a while songs all sound/mix/break/tempo the same
5. Thunderstone my take- instantly luved from first listen, very much enjoyed their set looking forward to hearing their previous releases I haven't heard
6. Pyramaze my take- busy doing signings/pictures, I didn't enjoy Legend of the bone carver that much, okay but I'm interested in hearing Melancoly Beast
7. Mercenary my take- liked what I heard off of 11 dreams, enjoyed and headbanged to their set picked up their latest release.
8. Evergrey my take- absofuckinlutely amazing. I could've done with out the girl proposing to her man would've like to hear more music
9. Zero Hour enjoyed their set while by the door doing Mercenary signing. will be checking them out a bit more
10. Epica my take- yuck, blech, ick and ewww, the high operatic vocals completley turn me off

Thanks Wyvern- I was too tired to type all that

 

[Wheezer]

Nice pics there must been good show.
Glad you all had fun there

Thanks! Yup! We did have fun. You should come on over and join us next year.

 

[Wheezer]

4. Theocracy (actually I fall asleep during their show)

When the DVD arrives I'll be looking to see if you make the final cut! All I saw was the security dude pointing and laughing and the cameraman pointed right at us. I wondered what was going on until I saw you in full slumber in your seat.

 

[Wheezer]

The shrimp wasn't dead - 'E was pinin'.

I'm setting up a shrimp rousting training class next year. Thing is, this time it'll be with properly cooked and cleaned shrimp and cocktail sauce.

 

[Wheezer]

Chicken! You have no sense of adventure.

Okay, maybe a little sense of advenure...since you've tasted rattler. I heard it tastes like chicken.

You began and ended with "chicken". Symbiotic, dude!

Not to be gruesome or anything, but Steve Irwin had a sense of adventure. I've got a lot of things I wanna see and do yet.

 

[JonnyD]

Made it home Safe and sound around 12am sunday night ... fuckin took me 12 hours to get home

here is a small thank you list

Brent, it was great to see you as always, Thank you so much for your generosity, you are a king amongst men and a dear friend!

Kristy and Pabla, Thank you so much for your hospitality, it was wonderful to see you two a pleasure as always, and no worries I will tell no one of what I saw those mornings

Ronny, Kathy and Bill, Got to hang out with you guys alot over the weekend which was awsome! even if we did Orbit the Vortex for an hour it was great fun! I cant wait to do it again next year!

Kent and Kat, like always it was great to see you two, I always look forward to hanging out and getting words of wisdom ... the 25th man my pain will be gone! ... Hopefully

Bryant and Harumii, As always it was a trip, Harumii has infinate patients to deal with VRYANT when he comes out to play, maybe next year you wont let him out till friday night

Rolando, Man it was fucking Awsome to meet you dude! and was a great pleasure conversating with you on the patio, we are from two different worlds that are very similar in many ways

J-Dubya, it was great to meet you!

Whisper, Bryant has one ugly ass eh? hahaha I enjoyed our conversation about Criss Oliva, I always enjoy a good ol Savachat!

To the countless others I met, The Older couple from Wisconsen, and Razor Ramons Brother, and that Kid that was the MGR of the subway resturant, it was great to meet you!

Oh and to Metalrose ..."SHIT!" "ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG"

I love you guys! you alone made the weekend worth while, as most of the bands really didnt do alot for me, Circle II Circle, Mercenary, and Freak Kitchen being the Exceptions, Thank you all for the great time!