ProgPower USA X Bands

Just spent a week with Uli Jon Roth and Sky Academy, Mark Boals does some awesome singing (as usual) on the new cd "Under a dark Sky." Put the call in to see if he'll be vox for Royal Hunt and I'm also curious if DC will come in for some guest vox. VERY HAPPY I GET BRAINSTORM!!!

ABSOFUCKINLUTELY FANTASTIC AS ALWAYS GLENN!!!

Missed you all bunches, thanks Weez for the text and I WILL BE THERE FOR X!!:headbang::kickass::Smokin:
 
Wow. And I was ultra disappointed by THIS year's lineup. Then this? This earns a gigantic WTF? from me. This lineup seems devoid of risk, insight, originality AND quality. I thought with the "laurels" well rested upon this year, we'd get something totally bombastic for X. The only 2 points of interest for me personally are Diablo and Sabaton (but in slot 4????? Even I wouldn't be that bold). The rest is either completely rehashed, prog pandering or totally off base.

So let's get this straight: 4 of 5 Saturday bands are repeats. And then Fates Warning who will make some (certainly not me) very happy. What happened to the "have to find headliners who satisfy both genres"? Ugh.

Friday: Power Quest and Tomorrows Eve?? This couldn't be meaningless in today's scene. Then, IMO, a hit with Diablo (original at least) and the over-slotted Sabaton, the unbearable Royal Hunt and more Andre Matos.

Glenn's insight for his festival is certainly living up to his expectations, I assume, but for me it seems to be wandering off into la-la land. Ten thousand top notch artists out there and 2 years in a row we're getting an amalgamation of the meaningless, the Progressive and the retread. C'mon Glenn, you've proven you can do better. You are a man among boys and one with the foresight to actually make this happen the right way. This isn't that way, my friend. This just isn't it. :cry:
 
Wow. And I was ultra disappointed by THIS year's lineup. Then this? This earns a gigantic WTF? from me. This lineup seems devoid of risk, insight, originality AND quality.

I suppose everyone is entitled to be wrong. :lol:

C'mon Glenn, you've proven you can do better. You are a man among boys and one with the foresight to actually make this happen the right way. This isn't that way, my friend. This just isn't it.

Tell that to 1000 screaming over-joyed fans who think differently.
 
I think it is a well-balanced line-up, with a smattering of the new and a smattering of the hits from all previous progpowers. I love prog/power/death/black and all other subgenres and such equally(even though lately I lean towards the heavier and more agressive), and this line-up seems balanced in my eyes(ears). I would of taken Vintersorg instead of BSO as the oddball, and that would of been my ultimate pull to attend. If vintersorg is going to be there, I would do anything and I mean anything to make it there, but with this line-up I want to go very bad, but know that I probably won't be able to afford to go for my third year in a row, and knowing that just sucks. I so wish I was there right now, but rent and bills come first.
 
Wow. And I was ultra disappointed by THIS year's lineup. Then this? This earns a gigantic WTF? from me. This lineup seems devoid of risk, insight, originality AND quality. I thought with the "laurels" well rested upon this year, we'd get something totally bombastic for X. The only 2 points of interest for me personally are Diablo and Sabaton (but in slot 4????? Even I wouldn't be that bold). The rest is either completely rehashed, prog pandering or totally off base.

So let's get this straight: 4 of 5 Saturday bands are repeats. And then Fates Warning who will make some (certainly not me) very happy. What happened to the "have to find headliners who satisfy both genres"? Ugh.

Friday: Power Quest and Tomorrows Eve?? This couldn't be meaningless in today's scene. Then, IMO, a hit with Diablo (original at least) and the over-slotted Sabaton, the unbearable Royal Hunt and more Andre Matos.

Glenn's insight for his festival is certainly living up to his expectations, I assume, but for me it seems to be wandering off into la-la land. Ten thousand top notch artists out there and 2 years in a row we're getting an amalgamation of the meaningless, the Progressive and the retread. C'mon Glenn, you've proven you can do better. You are a man among boys and one with the foresight to actually make this happen the right way. This isn't that way, my friend. This just isn't it. :cry:

Just out of interest, who would you rather have playing?
 
Just out of interest, who would you rather have playing?

Ah, see, I don't want to turn this into that list of bands thing again. I mean, there's got to be Prog and I have no interest in that personally so name any 5 Prog bands that we HAVEN'T seen and that works. On my side of things, I'm thinking bands like Tarot, Pretty Maids, Sinner, Charon, Poisonblack, Axel Rudi Pell, Morgana Lefay, Nocturnal Rites, Lake of Tears, Tiamat, Running Wild, Falconer, Grave Digger, Deathstars, Gotthard, Lordi, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY we haven't seen yet and who's moving some sort of records. Shit, I'd take hard rock, melodic death metal, whatever so long as they're doing something on the European scene.

So let the "picking apart" of the list begin and please do tell me all the reasons why you wouldn't like whomever I mentioned but it's NOT about those bands. It IS about bands we haven't seen who are or who are about to make an impact. This year wasn't it. Next year doesn't look to be it either.

And I'll save people the time: "Yes, I am aware that I could do it myself if I don't like it" and so on and so on. But I'll exercise my right as a consumer to be critical and I honestly do so with the intention to present an idea to improve the fest. Shit, 99% of folks around here don't even know who the bands are when Glenn lists them to begin with so what's it hurt to try something new for those around here who DO know the bands out there?
 
Aside from Andre Matos (who I don't even like that much) and Circus Maximus, I don't know any of these bands. I'll need someone (*cough* Empress ..*cough*) to show me the way here, hahahahaha :D
 
I absolutely love Diablo Swing Orchestra and am tremendously excited to see that they are making up in the music world. We arranged our travels in Europe this summer to catch one of their performances, and they are as good as their cd suggests. They are not your traditional metal group, but masterfully talented, vibrantly exciting, and full of energy. An excellent choice for next year's fest and thank you to whoever sponsored them!:headbang:
 
This has to be the best line up ever, i don't see a single band that will disappoint, and i see some that will possibily blow everyone away, that is just my humble opinion.
 
I think the Andre Matos HL set has the potential to be the #1 performance of PPUSA X. EXCELLENT CHOICE, Glenn!

Also great picks:

SABATON
POWERQUEST
PAGAN'S MIND
ORPHANED LAND
CIRCUS MAXIMUS

It should go without saying that FW's set will also rule to no end, as well, having already seen them play BEFORE.

BUT WHERE IN THE HELL IS FALCONER?!:cry:
 
I can without a doubt say that this is one of my favorite lineups yet. Andre, Pagan's Mind, Fates Warning, Powerquest, CM, and finally the chance to see Orphaned Land (kicked myself in the ass for missing them last time)....you can't go wrong with that.

With that said, i only have 2 complaints:
1. Power Quest opening....come on, they should have been a third slot. ( But as long as they play For Evermore i'll be happy)
2. DSO...wtf, this stuff makes me want to punch babies...i will not be anywhere near Center Stage during this performance.
 
I can without a doubt say that this is one of my favorite lineups yet. Andre, Pagan's Mind, Fates Warning, Powerquest, CM, and finally the chance to see Orphaned Land (kicked myself in the ass for missing them last time)....you can't go wrong with that.

With that said, i only have 2 complaints:
1. Power Quest opening....come on, they should have been a third slot. ( But as long as they play For Evermore i'll be happy)
2. DSO...wtf, this stuff makes me want to punch babies...i will not be anywhere near Center Stage during this performance.
I am just happy that PQ is on the roster at all(Thanks to Intromental and Bill Hudson), although a 3rd slot would have been great, as long as they've been around. I'll be curious to see DSO's set.:cool:
 
Personally I think this is an interesting Line up. I'm looking forward to seeing Power Quest and having met them in England at Bloodstock they will fit in with ProgPower very well. Not just because of the music they are a very social bunch and really down to earth. Sure to become PPX Fan faves!

Surprised that DSO is playing after them, will be interesting to hear Glenn's rationale on that decision.

Biggest surprise was no Evergrey....did they wear out thier welcome?

Pagan's Mind, Orphaned Land, Circus Maximus and Brainstorm should surprise no one, great performances at prior PP shows.

I've never seen Fates Warning so looking forward to hearing Guardian live if they play it.
 
It's kind of hard to accurately pin down how I feel about next year's lineup.

diablo swing orchestra and Matos are more of a treat for me than anything...not a huge justification for travel.
Circus Maximus & Pagan's Mind is going to be amazing but considering how recently I've seen them, it's something I would have preferred to wait for at this festival. After those two were announced, I thought Evergrey was a lock, but I guess I was in for a surprise. Given what happened at the beginning of the year I was pretty stunned CM made it on there at all (I take it as a positive about the professionalism of this fest, etc.).
I know everyone is excited about Royal Hunt and Fates Warning, but to be completely honest, I am entirely indifferent.
Sabaton should be cool but I worry that their already heavy wall of sound on the albums won't translate well live...especially without an absolutely stellar mix.
Brainstorm was a complete no-brainer. LuL.
I guess a plus about Power Quest is we get to see Bill again. Heh.

Orphaned Land is so far the only solid reason I'm coming down.
I think a big part of my opinion has to do with my own personal road I'm traveling with music, but I'm starting to worry that the fest is getting too formulaic and locked into a specific idea of what the genres are and what sells tickets (although that's a business move that I CERTAINLY cannot fault). I personally feel that there are a lot more bands out there that could play that are much more...I guess relevant. I sort of need something to be excited about.

Basically so far, I'm going. If ProgPower Scandinavia or BARFest (or at the outside PP Europe) have a better lineup than this (IMO; and as they seem to have had so far), I'm about 80% sure I'd be going to those instead and a couple of you I've talked to about this already would be coming with me.


Edit: On an aside, I really wish the "oddball" slot is being sort of misused. Rather than going down the list of strange bands, I'd prefer to see something that's actually unexpected...like something that's acceptable, fun and not from the Prog or Power genres. Freak Kitchen went over great. I was excited about Volbeat...but Mustache...well, I thought that was a complete waste of time... With dso being announced, we could follow the logic behind picking these bands and predict them for at least the next 5 ProgPowers I bet. There's a lot of great bands out there doing all instrumental or tech death or something like that...it would be much more interesting and would probably connect with a larger portion of the fanbase than these bands seem to. I personally feel like Freak Kitchen should be fondly remembered as a nice surprise and something fresh for the festival. Y'all know what I mean.



Edit 2: Also. DSO was something people were even talking about last year before THAT video. (Yay rumors). This oddball thing shouldn't already be going stale.
 
I was telling people before the fest started that I really wanted to hear three words during the announcement: "Diablo", "Swing", and "Orchestra". My day was made with that announcement. Then, Fates Warning, one of my all-time favorite bands that I've only seen live once (opening for Dream Theater) closes out the fest? I am very happy.

Saturday night kills. The only thing I thought that might happen would be the addition of Freak Kitchen, but they can always return another year.

I'm already looking forward to this...

dt
 
Andre Matos as a headliner got me me pretty wet. Sabaton sounds like a speedy Power Metal Manowar with war battle songs, hell yeah. And I was wondering who was doing that "Cemetary Gates" song during the between sets. Now that I know its from Power Quest's latest, hell, I can dig it. Liked the first two cds, meh on album three but now I have incentive to check out Master Of Illusion. And Saturday is sweetness all around. No Pretty Maids, but I guess that's for when I win the lottery and get them, Pink Cream 69, a reunited Harem Scarem, the Marcello - Vestry lineup, Danger Danger, and Bonfire to play a gig for me.
 
Suprises:
Circus Maximus. Not in Glenn's good graces -at all- last we heard.

Yep - given that Circus Maximus bailed on a previously committed US tour, I was surprised to see them included in the line-up. But I am soooo excited to see them at PPX, since I "discovered" the ProgPower festival thanks to CM. (I picked up their "1st Chapter" CD in 2006 and was completely blown away. The PP Showcase was their only US date that year, and I decided, "what the hell...as long as I'm buying a plane ticket, I might as well stick around for the whole weekend... :lol:)

And I can't tell you how stoked I was when Fates Warning was announced. Wooo hooo! See y'all next year!!!!!