The Return of the "How it Happened" post...PP USA XI

[Metalmilitia2000]

I bought my plastic sword and horned helmet the next day.

SIGGED!

 

[ICEDEARTHFAN]

If I had a preference for EVERY slot,I would want Power and Thrash.To some,there may not be a difference,but to me there is.
With that being said,I don't hate or love Prog.There are definitely bands of that genre I like.I chose to sit through every band that wasn't Power at Progpower IX and give them a chance.Some I HATED and some I really liked.Overall,I will continue to go to the festival whether it's leaning to one side or not as long as I can pay for it.The experience alone is worth every penny for me.........Thanks soooooo much Glenn

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

I SO hope this works out well. I'd love to see the occasional melodic thrash band in the lineup from here on out. Perhaps next year, you would even be able to take a chance on a proggy or powery doom band, such as Solitude Aeturnus, Memory Garden, or the like.

*Cough* ANNIHILATOR GODDAMMIT! *Cough*

I will scream this every year until I turn blue.. hahahaha

 

[ICEDEARTHFAN]

*Cough* ANNIHILATOR GODDAMMIT! *Cough*

I will scream this every year until I turn blue.. hahahaha

DOCTOR PSYCHO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jasonic]

When did Dragonforce become prog?

You will have to further explain yourself, as I have no clue where you are going with this. Are you saying that many here have written off DF due to their popularity?

 

[Jasonic]

Perhaps next year, you would even be able to take a chance on a proggy or powery doom band, such as Solitude Aeturnus, Memory Garden, or the like.

I think a band like Cathedral or Spiritus Mortis would appeal more to the prog power crowd than SA. Just my opinion though.

I have always said that CANDLEMASS is the one doom band that the most picky power metal fan would love, given the chance.

 

[PurpleCrayonWriter]

You'll not get any shit from me about your choices, Glenn.

This was a lot of fun to read, and was well written to boot. It must have taken quite a while to write something that lengthy and detailed; so I appreciate the time you invested in this behind-the-scenes account.

Frankly, I think PPUSA XI is the best line-up I've seen in years. I love the Pagan/Viking choice. We saw Tyr on the PaganFest USA tour. A fun band, all that heathen hammer stuff. Given the surging popularity of pagan/viking/celtic metal bands, I think this is a very smart choice.

But the entire line-up excites me. Although I love prog bands, I have to admit they don't usually get my blood pumping. They get my mind engaged. But not my heart. For that, I need energetic power metal. Hammerfall and Kamelot are perfect choices. (Have you heard the cover Hammerfall does of the old Knack song "My Sharona" on their new album? It's a blast.)

Nocturnal Rites, Oceans of Sadness, Delain (yes!), Seventh Wonder (double yes!) -- it's an incredibly solid line-up. Easily one of the best ever. The first PPUSA Elisabeth and I attended was III and it remains the one most indelible in our minds, probably because it was Power Metal Heaven. So you're right about that. Power metal rules.

At the risk of sounding sycophantic, I really don't know how you do it year after year. The amount of time, effort, and money you invest is astounding.

But the fruits of your labors speak for themselves. Next year's show, especially. I predict ProgPower USA XI will not only sell out but you'll be turning people away.

Mark my words.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

DOCTOR PSYCHO!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like I am... haha

 

[OrbWeaver]

I think by now it's common knowledge that I am absurdly pleased about next year's lineup. There are only three bands I'm not wild about, and I still plan on watching at least a little of their sets to see if perhaps I enjoy them as a live band (this happened with Primal Fear - I love them as a live band, not so much on CD.)

I'm such a HammerFall fangirl - they're the band that got me into this music! I love them to pieces and if I get to meet them I will die of glee. SO MUCH GLEE.

As always, I was hoping for Falconer, but I'll gleefully take Tyr in lieu of Falconer. I <3 folk metal, and I really love Tyr's progressive edge to their folk music. And they are wonderful live. I'm really looking forward to seeing Tyr play in a venue with good sound, for a change.

That said - any word on sponsorships? Have the sponsors already been contacted, or is that yet to come?

 

[TychoCelchu]

I think a band like Cathedral or Spiritus Mortis would appeal more to the prog power crowd than SA. Just my opinion though.

I have always said that CANDLEMASS is the one doom band that the most picky power metal fan would love, given the chance.

Partly disagree, partly agree.

Cathedral -no way. Band kicks all kinds of ass, but they wouldn't make sense at ProgPower. (I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them show up at Chicago Powerfest one of these years though)

Spiritus Mortis -also an ass kicker (especially the most recent two albums) but this is stretching it too, albeit not as far as Cathedral.

Solitude Aeturnus or Memory Garden would guarantee my attendence at any festival they play. They also fit the prog/power appeal a lot.

Candlemass - great band, would fit at the fest, but I would be less excited about seeing them because they tour and I've had opportunities to see them recently (which was awesome).

On topic:
Great post. Too bad about Pretty Maids. I am an unapologetic 'prog snob,' I guess, but I am 100% going next year. This is the strongest lineup since III in my opinion! I love seeing a kickass power metal band live, but I'm less likely to sit down and enjoy their CD at home. For a prog band, I like to sit and listen to the album, and would go see them live if I loved it enough, but power metal bands can really kick ass on stage.

 

[Cheiron]

Very interesting read as usual.

I was going to keep quiet, but just wanted to say something on the whole "prog snobbery" issue.

It seems like many on this forum claim that there is no prog snobbery, yet continuously refer to their favorite bands as "our music", almost as if they don't want their bands or the fest to continue to grow.

As a businessman, I think Glen is doing all the right things to keep the fest afloat. You have to go where the demand and growth potential is!

Same reason I gave Glen MAJOR kudos for the AMORPHIS booking last year.

I think many people, myself included at times, fail to remember that all of us on this forum account for 0.00000001% of the entire population of potential attendees of this festival.

Potential, maybe. But actual it's probably near 5% counting those who post at least twice a year, and maybe 1-2% for regular posters.

 

[Everonn]

One thing that was discussed among a LOT of people this year as well was the timing. Given how many people work at universities, attend universities, or have kids in school, that first weekend after Labor Day is always going to be a problem for a LOT of people. Even when money's not an issue, many people simply cannot take time off during that week; when money IS an issue, it's a double whammy.

Truth.



- Chris

 

[Wyvern]

Nice post indeed Glenn. I definitively feel drawing overall by Tarot and Tyr, Seventh Wonder is another band I would like to see live. As for Hammerfall already saw them once here with a better line-up IMO (and a better album tour) but I wouldn't mind to see them again. All and all because of seniority (and the fact they're one hell of a cult band) I would have Tarot headlining and Hammerfall on another day headlining or just filling a slot, again my personnal view.

As for prog I'm very into it, is just that the prog I like is either more rock than metal (The Flower Kings, The Tangent, Karmakanic, Transatlantic, Planet X, Derek Sherinian), are projects that don't tour (Agents Of Mercy, Ayreon, Waterclime), are newer bands that may not draw the audience you need (Darkwater, Twinspirits, Scale The Summit, Beyond The Labyrinth), too big acts (Rush, Dream Theater) or they're out of business (Camel, Pink Floyd, Isopoda, ELP, Gordian Knot, LTE, etc. )

As for power/traditional...well yes I AM your target audience: Wolf, Sabaton (done thank you!), Lion's Share, Astra Doors, Crystal Viper, Bone Shaker, Sister Sin, Viron, Superchrist, Phantom-X, Aska, Steel Prophet, Cage (done thank you!), Blind Guardian, Helloween (done), Cryonic Temple, Dream Evil, Evil Masquerade, Pharaoh, Firewind, Final Stage, Freedom Call, Mesmerize, Metalucifer, Metalforce (ex-Majesty), Hammerfall (done), Tarot, Primal Fear (done thank you!), Omen, Stormhammer, and of course the great ones: Motorhead, Saxon, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden (done), Heaven & Hell, Riot. And if you don't mind other languages: Ossian, Obstruction, Lorihen, Renacer, Logos, Manigance, and of course a bit of folk: Falconer, Skyclad, Tyr, Tuatha De Danann.

My point is that there are lots of bands, as for suitability and availability, well that's your call and being this Power Prog USA I will not ask for thrash and doom

 

[johnfrank1970]

Thrash was where I wanted to go for the first time ever. I actually went to a website to look up Thrash bands for ideas. Paradox was on the list. Hell, I had almost forgotten about them. They had been around forever so the old-schoolers would have something to enjoy. Bonus. They also actually had a bit of a progressive tinge for a Thrash band as well. I bought “Electrified” and heard the excellent mix of all that with the power. The opening riff on “Infected” sealed the deal in my mind. The trick was that I wanted them in the opening slot. Even though they had been around forever, they still only had four albums out with limited appeal over here other than a minor cult following. I also wanted a high power opener to balance out the other night. The allure of finally appearing here in the States was enough to convince the band that ProgPower was the show they wanted to do.

Given your parameters, you made a great decision choosing Paradox. I'd love to see them perform. It's too bad I am not in the market for your bread and butter bands.

 

[Jasonic]

Cathedral -no way. Band kicks all kinds of ass, but they wouldn't make sense at ProgPower. (I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them show up at Chicago Powerfest one of these years though)

I don't think NO WAY can be applied to any metal band.
Keep in mind some of the "odd ball" choices previously on this festival's roster.

I think Cathedral has enough quirkyness to appeal to many.
Just my opinion. No skin off my nose!

 

[Wyvern]

I don't think NO WAY can be applied to any metal band.
Keep in mind some of the "odd ball" choices previously on this festival's roster.

I think Cathedral has enough quirkyness to appeal to many.
Just my opinion. No skin off my nose!

I pee on myself seeing Cathedral live

 

[Harvester]

Truth.



- Chris

And on the flip side, it is a short week for a lot of people. If you are requesting the entire week off, it's one less day that you have to discuss with your boss. That includes myself. I have a full time job on top of this organized chaos.

I have also heard every complaint about the date over the years in regards to school. I honestly do not believe that I will ever be able to satisfy teachers and students with their type of schedules. It's either the start of the year, mid-terms, tests, projects, and the list goes on and on.

Hell, I have even considered Jewish holidays in regards to the scheduling.

Finally, I think everyone forgets that this date is immediately after the festival season in Europe. That means that most of the major bands are already in performance mode and battle-tested. That cuts way down on rehearsal time and band expenses. Thus, I am able to book more bands within my budget as a result.

 

[BlindPanzer]

I'm just waiting for the day Shaolin Death Squad gets considered. Small US band that gets no exposure and is incredible in a live setting seems good from a budget standpoint.

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

I told Glenn this at the show and I'll say it again. This is a fucking amazing lineup for PPXI and I love it royally! These "how-it-all-happened" posts by Glenn are a fantastic read. I only wish it was a longer story. LOL! I fucking love reading this shit!

 

[YearsOfMetal]

Strange, but the ones I'm most interested in seeing are the ones that Glen didn't seem to crazy about.

So, Glen, special thanks for booking:

TYR
HAMMERFALL
STORMWARRIOR
NOCTURNAL RITES