This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.

Welcome to Our Community

Wanting to join the rest of our members? Feel free to sign up today.

Sign Up

My Thoughts on the ProgPower XVI Lineup

Discussion in 'ProgPower USA' started by thegreatsouthernbrainfart, Sep 17, 2014.

Page 1 of 3
  1. thegreatsouthernbrainfart

    thegreatsouthernbrainfart Opinionated Metal Blogger

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    I'm definitely not an expert when it comes to ProgPower bands but next year will be my first ever ProgPower Festival. Some of you may know me from the metal blog that I run called The Great Southern Brainfart. I've been a metal fan for well over 25 years and while I've been known to love some Prog bands, I've never been to a ProgPower festival. I watched the ProgPower XVI Roster video and compiled my own thoughts on what I saw. This was posted at my blog today but I figured I'd share it here just to see if anyone could confirm or convince me to thing otherwise!

    Taken from: http://thegreatsouthernbrainfart.com/?p=13637

    The lineup for ProgPower USA XVI was announced on Friday, September 12th just after a headlining set by Seventh Wonder. While the roster itself seems to lack any real “huge” names it does seem to have some really strong bands to boast. One of the things I’m really looking forward to this year is seeing every one of these bands for the first time. As a music lover and a lover of going to concerts in general, I can’t think of anything more exciting than seeing bands for the first time live. It’s even more exciting when you know nothing about said bands and they just really blow you away.

    The only bands on this lineup that I am really familiar with is Anathema and Denmark’s Anubis Gate. Anubis Gate alone is enough reason for me to attend this two day festival right here in my home town of Atlanta, GA. I decided to watch the ProgPower XVI announcement video and below I have listed my first impressions on each band that will be performing. It will be interesting for me to go back and revisit this after the festival to see if my opinions change or are confirmed. ProgPower XVI will take place on September 11th and 12th, 2015 at Center Stage Theater.

    Keep in mind that this “preview” was written solely on the music clips offered in PPUSA Roster video and the videos that I picked to watch by each band.

    Without further adieu, here is the run down for ProgPower XVI here in Atlanta, GA.

    Friday, September 11, 2015 Lineup:

    Hibria

    Ok, so these guys sound pretty bad ass. It’s like Prog Thrash and right out the gates I felt pumped just listening to them. Their singer totally had a NWOBHM kind of sound and musically they just sound epic. I think I’ll totally get behind these guys. We’re off to a good start.



    =========================================================

    Anubis Gate

    YES! I can’t even tell how fucking excited about this I am. Hearing “Golden Days” in the preview video gave me chills and nearly brought a tear to my eye. I can’t remember the last time I was so ecstatic to see a band. I never thought I’d get the chance to see Anubis Gate so I’m DEFINITELY not going to pass this up. This band is going to kick so much fucking ass that I feel really bad for any band that has to follow them.



    =========================================================

    Morgana Lefay

    So this band is not at all what I thought they would sound like based on their name. These guys almost have a kind of black metal sound to them but damn I love this song that they picked for this video. It’s really dark and really heavy yet classic sounding. I think I’m going to dig these guys.



    =========================================================

    Voyager

    This is some really technical sounding stuff. They kind of remind me of Fates Warning a good bit. It’s really melodic sounding but I’m not sold on the song they chose to represent them. Maybe I’ll have to dig a bit deeper and see what they’re about.



    =========================================================

    Falconer

    So this band seems to be getting a lot of praise from the PPUSA crowd but I’m just not feeling this band. They sound so drab and just kind of unexciting. The vocals are just so plain and just unmoving as is the music. Again, maybe this wasn’t the best choice of a preview song but these guys might be one that end up passing on. I’ll give them a chance but this may be when I make my beer and merch run on Friday night.



    =========================================================

    Anathema

    I’ve never been a fan of Anathema. I’ve always thought that they were the Cure of progmetal. They’re just so whiney and just so blah. I never got the love that this band got as I just think they’re lame. Maybe if Falconer blows me away I’ll stay for them and then just leave before Anathema starts and go find a party or get some pizza and breadsticks from DiVinci’s.



    Saturday, September 12, 2015 Lineup:

    Helker

    I felt like Beavis and Butthead as I just went, “YES!” This shit kicks some fucking serious ass. Helker kind of has this classic heavy metal sound that has a groove and just lays down a kick ass foundation. Just with this song they had me captivated and wanting to hear more. I really dug the hell out of this and definitely want more.



    =========================================================

    Persefone

    Um, ok, here we got. Another diarehea of the fingers prog band. The minute this song kicked I n I just rolled my eyes. Yay you! You can play all the notes. So much notes. Wow. Much fast. Such playings. Oh, there are vocals? Well, after hearing them, I could totally do without this. This might be a beer run for me.



    =========================================================

    Dynazty

    Ok, I loved the fuck out of this. The only way I can describe this band is that it’s like Glam Prog Metal. They look like Skid Row but they play like Blind Guardian. Their singer is off the fucking charts good and they sound so melodic. I’m really excited about this band and can’t wait to hear more from them.



    =========================================================

    Riverside

    Nine Inch Nails meets Enigma meets Tool. This is definitely not my cup of tea but I can see how this has the potential to be kind of cool in a live setting. Maybe with some visuals and some cool lights and what not. I’m totally not into this but it doesn’t suck. It’s very unobtrusive but just not my bag.



    =========================================================

    Royal Hunt

    So these guys are billed as headliners playing their album “Paradox” in its entirety. I nearly nodded off during this song clip. Again, it doesn’t suck but it just sounds so unexciting and uninspired. Not much more to say about this band other than they just seem to be kind of “meh” to me.



    =========================================================

    Angra

    Now this band definitely piqued my interest. They sound just like any other symphonic metal band to be honest but this band has a good 20 year history under their belts so one might even consider them one of the leaders in this genre. The band sounds pretty amazing live and the energy level that they put out seems to be really up there. They also seem to kind of sound a bit like Helloween which I fucking love. I think this band will be one that will either blow me away for get old after like 3 songs. I’m intrigued enough at this point to definitely check them out.



    So there you have it. The roster for ProgPower XVI here in Atlanta on September 12 and 13, 2015. Tickets for this go on sale on Friday, October 4, 2014 via Ticketmaster.
     
    #1 thegreatsouthernbrainfart, Sep 17, 2014
  2. The Protagonist

    The Protagonist Black Wind Overlord

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2011
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Interesting. :err:

    You know that Seventh Wonder wasn't the headliner, right?
     
    #2 The Protagonist, Sep 17, 2014
  3. No Username

    No Username Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Messages:
    704
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    South Florida--The REAL 6th Borough
    Make sure we meet when you show up next year, so I can strangle you for living in Atlanta and missing it 14 times!
     
    #3 No Username, Sep 17, 2014
  4. nailz

    nailz Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2002
    Messages:
    5,660
    Likes Received:
    25
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Alright, I hate condescending criticism but fuck me if I didn't laugh like I was being tickled by dick feathers at this.
     
    #4 nailz, Sep 17, 2014
  5. thegreatsouthernbrainfart

    thegreatsouthernbrainfart Opinionated Metal Blogger

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    :lol:
     
    #5 thegreatsouthernbrainfart, Sep 17, 2014
  6. thegreatsouthernbrainfart

    thegreatsouthernbrainfart Opinionated Metal Blogger

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    :lol:

    I've only lived here for 5 years and in my defense, I have been to two kick offs in a row. Baby steps duder... baby steps.
     
    #6 thegreatsouthernbrainfart, Sep 17, 2014
  7. JenniferLynn

    JenniferLynn AKA Irish

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2004
    Messages:
    1,243
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Sterling VA
    That's what I thought.. How could next year be the first time you'll be at ProgPower and it's in your hometown!?!?!?!

    Mind
    blown
    and not in a good way :guh::guh:
     
    #7 JenniferLynn, Sep 17, 2014
  8. ixrayu

    ixrayu Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    Messages:
    144
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Louisville
    First, I would like to say that atleast you pointed out your opinion is solely on the roster video. Also, ANY schmo with a computer can have a blog, so not sure if you think that makes your opinion more important or something, however, what it should do is make you a little more savvy to know that making uneducated(self admitted) public opinions on things without having all your "homework done" can cause a bit of a backlash. I enjoy reading a lot of the opinions of the people who post on this forum, though I disagree with a LOT of them, I'm not one to point out when I think they are dead wrong. I can understand a "first impression" off of limited information, but jumping to conclusions off the roster announcement video is a bit of a stretch. I really don't know how long it takes to produce the announcement video, but I'm sure it is quite tedious and time consuming and I for 1 am damn glad they do it. I'm sure Glenn would love to hear about how they could do it better since you don't like the songs they chose for the up coming bands.(Sarcasm)
    As far as your take on the bands, I have NO doubt in my mind that if you take the time to actually research a little and listen to more than a little clip, you would find out how amazing several of the bands you greatly criticized are and probably would do a 180 on at least 2 or 3 of them. Especially, Voyager and Falconer.
    I think once you have experienced the festival as a whole you will also learn that it is just that, an experience.
     
    #8 ixrayu, Sep 17, 2014
  9. zinescene

    zinescene Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2002
    Messages:
    1,166
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Michigan
    I'm still in the infancy steps of checking out the bands for next year. So far Dynazty has really blown me away and I think my wife even digs them :)

    Listened to Persefone - Spiriual Migration today and I'm really really digging the music but having a hard time with the vocals at times. I really really want to like this. Thinking this will really grow on me.

    Helker - Only heard a few songs of Somewhere IN The Circle but sounds very promising
    Hibria - Only heard a few songs from Silent Revenge but what I've heard hasn't overwhelmed me.
    Voyager - V FUcking LOVE the song Hyperventilating. What I've heard of V though that's the stand out track. Still need to give the rest of V a spin.
    Falconer - Not one of those bands that really stuck with me when I heard them on CD but saw them at BWBK and they killed it on stage. Great live performance! Singer was a great guy off stage, he'll fit right in with the ProgPower crowd.
    Morgana Lefay - So far they haven't done anything for me. Saw them at Chicago Power fest in 2005 and didnt do anything for me then either.
    Anubis Gate - Really like what I've heard. More impressed the more I listen
    DC Cooper - Loved his solo album and saw him live before. He rules!
    Anathema - So far nothing I've heard excites me.
    Royal Hunt - Not familiar with the whole catalog but love what I've heard so far.
    Riverside, Almah, Dragonland -I dont know enough about them to comment.

    Anyway, got lots of listening to do.
     
    #9 zinescene, Sep 17, 2014
  10. MelbCro

    MelbCro Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2011
    Messages:
    527
    Likes Received:
    40
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Pretty sure Anathema are a 'huge' band. And maybe you should listen to stuff from their death doom era then come back to me about them being whiney.
     
    #10 MelbCro, Sep 17, 2014
  11. djjello

    djjello djjello

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2006
    Messages:
    79
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Louisville, Ky.
    No "huge names"? Beer and merch run during Falconer? Dude, we need to talk. All criticism aside, this lineup is a home run and Glenn knows this. Dig down into the catalogs of these fine bands STAT. And please, update your original post after you get going. I'd love to see how your opinion changes. No more baby steps, time to go "all in" Brother!
     
    #11 djjello, Sep 17, 2014
  12. AngraRULES

    AngraRULES Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2002
    Messages:
    13,566
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    48
    The thread starter clearly knows how to live up to his name...
     
    #12 AngraRULES, Sep 17, 2014
  13. MelbCro

    MelbCro Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2011
    Messages:
    527
    Likes Received:
    40
    Trophy Points:
    28
    I'm still trying to work out how Morgana Lefay has a "black metal sound"
     
    #13 MelbCro, Sep 17, 2014
  14. KingsGene

    KingsGene God of Thunder

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2005
    Messages:
    11,139
    Likes Received:
    462
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    near KC
    ....and I'll give you my "expert" opinion anyway based on 2 minutes of each band. :confused:
     
    #14 KingsGene, Sep 17, 2014
  15. nomisofsiman

    nomisofsiman Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    8,066
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Wheaton, IL
    :lol:
     
    #15 nomisofsiman, Sep 18, 2014
  16. nomisofsiman

    nomisofsiman Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    8,066
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Wheaton, IL
    Thrashy? Yes. Black metal? Hell no.
     
    #16 nomisofsiman, Sep 18, 2014
  17. TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER

    TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER Halcyon Way Sufferer

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2002
    Messages:
    3,859
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    38
    It's obvious that it's click bait for his site.
     
    #17 TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER, Sep 18, 2014
  18. PromisedLand

    PromisedLand Master of Corgis

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2013
    Messages:
    729
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    18
    No Volbeat reference? ;-)
     
    #18 PromisedLand, Sep 18, 2014
  19. TwizstedJesus

    TwizstedJesus Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2004
    Messages:
    1,218
    Likes Received:
    22
    Trophy Points:
    38
    On Fridays show...perfect time for dinner is Falconer, followed by beers at the bar and a drive home during Anathema. Its always great to get out a little early on Friday night to prepare for Saturday, and these 2 bands closing Friday give me a perfect "out", which in turn makes the wife happy, which in turn makes me happy, dig?

    If you don't like the bands, theres always something to do at the venue besides watching them. I convinced myself a few times that the lineup wasn't strong enough for me to attend, and I kick myself every time I think about it. I'll be there unless I'm dead
     
    #19 TwizstedJesus, Sep 18, 2014
  20. dcowboys311

    dcowboys311 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2005
    Messages:
    4,354
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Their 'death/doom' era is 20 years ago, doesn't matter in the year 2014. This is like using 'Of Darkness' as the baseline for modern day-Therion.

    Whiney Anathema is better than death/doom Anathema anyway.
     
    #20 dcowboys311, Sep 18, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page

Toggle Width

  • About Us

    Our music community has been around for almost 15 years and we pride ourselves on offering great metal music discussion, as well as music production and other closely related topics. We work hard every day to make sure our community is one of the best. Enjoy!

  • Quick Navigation

    Open the Quick Navigation

  • Like us on Facebook

  • Donate ♥

    We have worked hard for 15 years (and running) to make sure our Metal community is running fast, uses the best software, and isn't overloaded with advertising. If you love the forum as much as we love bringing it to you, please show your support with a generous donation. We really appreciate it!