ProgPower USA XI

FINALLY NOCTURNAL RITES!!!


Okay. Last year, hearing the samples in the videos convinced me to buy a Sabaton and Power Quest disc to start getting familiar.

This year, EVERY SAMPLE had me wanting to get a sample disc! I will most certainly enjoy TYR, Stormwarrior, Illusion Suite and Delain, the rest I'll have to get caught up and start my research.

Kamelot and Nocturnal Rites is gonna be KILLER for me. I'm ready!!!!
 
I won't miss this.... after seeing the video announcement I knew I would be there again next year! So excited about Delain, Kamelot, Tarot, Nocturnal Rites... I really liked what I heard from Oceans of Sadness, looking forward to checking them out more.
 
my thoughts on next years line up:

Fri:
1. Illusion Suite- never heard of them.

2. Stormwarrior- I had to sell a bunch of CDs to get $ for PP this year. I sold both Stormwarrior albums b/c, while they are good, I hadn't listened to them in a long time and figured I would never get to see them. Dumb move on my part!

3. Seventh Wonder- never heard them but I've read all the hype. I predicted them being there.

4. Tyr- Didn't expect this at all.

5. Nocturnal Rites- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY FUCKING GOD THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if they were the only band that I liked next year, I would go just because of them.

6. Kamelot- Seen them 4 or 5 times. I'll decide when the time comes- if I'm tired after Nocturnal Rites (which I'm sure I will be), I'll skip them.

Sat:
1. Paradox- As I've stated on this board in the past, Paradox is one of the most under-rated bands in the entire world of heavy metal. They are LONG overdue for this. Super fucking stoked about this. NEVER thought this would actually happen.

2. Oceans of Sadness- never heard of them and probably not my cup of tea, but I will give them a chance and a least check them out.

3. DGM- Predicted them. Again, one of the most under rated bands out there. A buddy of mine played the album Misplaced for me at PPVI and I was instantly hooked. I bought 3 of their albums that year and have loved them ever since. Picked up the new album on Saturday. Stoked about this.

4. Delain- Predicted them, too, but I didn't think they'd be in a 4th spot. Love Delain and very excited about this!

5. Tarot- This should be good. I never really listened to them but I'm really looking forward to checking out their stuff.

6. Hammerfall- Predicted them. The one time I saw them they were pretty bad live, and I haven't listened to anything they've done since chapter 5, but I am looking forward to this.

As with many others, when the Egyptian theme began I thought Anubis Gate would be announced.
All in all, a really amazing festival! Can't wait! Thanks for a really amazing line up, Glenn!!
 
Good solid lineup.
Very power metal friendly.

As others pointed out, I am not sure if this will guarantee a sellout.

1) Both headliners have done multiple US tours.
2) Good chance these will be tour stops for BOTH headlining bands. Maybe not. Maybe these will be each band's sole US appearances for the year, though I know HammerFall had planned a US tour for this album.

Granted, a festival should be about the whole package and experience, and not just one or two bands. I think it is a VERY nice package of bands.

I saw Nocturnal Rites at Chicago Powerfest, and it seriously may have been the greatest power metal performance I have ever witnessed (And most have figured out now that I am VERY critical of every band I see and hear. I am just extremely honest about music)

All this aside, well done. Everyone seems very pumped for this.
As for me, this would possibly push me over the edge to come to Prog Power. Is the date set in stone? If it is, then unfortunately I can not make it, as it is my youngest daughter's birthday weekend.

One more thing..............
Could Stormwarrior's appearance warrant a Kai Hansen appearance, possibly leading to a Gamma Ray showcase appearance??????????
 
Alrighty, now that I am no longer sleep deprived, I think I can offer a more coherent post today. :)

I probably started screaming and jumping up and down as soon as Tyr was announced. I pretty much never stopped screaming until after HammerFall had been announced. I'm really only not thrilled with three of the announced bands - Oceans of Sadness, Delain, and Tarot. I'll probably watch a song or two from Delain and Tarot, though. That said, Tyr was a HUGE suprise for me. I was expecting Falconer to be announced, but I will certainly be more than happy with Tyr. I'm also very pleased with Noctournal Rites (FINALLY! I get to see them!) Kamelot, and HammerFall. HammerFall are one of my favorite bands, and despite what others claim, they are excellent live.

So while I am sad that Falconer will not be at this year's festival, I am still very, VERY pleased with the lineup. For the three of you wondering why Falconer wasn't on the lineup: I suspect Falconer may have been invited, but since they do any festivals based off of Mathias' schedule, ProgPower booking may have been too far in the future for them to work around Mathias' schedule. So hopefully one year we'll get to see them.


I'm still very excited.


And to the person whose toes I squished during the band announcements - I'm very, very sorry. I hope your poor toes recovered okay.
 
This is one case where, if these bands tour, I think I would forego the local touring stops in favor of traveling to the fest to see them all in one shot. It'll just be that cool to be at the fest next year (under other circumstances I would decide the opposite).

I do rather miss Glenn's very-interesting posts about how things come together.

Paradox: the video announcement was my introduction to the band, and their music sounds cool. I'll check it out. During their clip, I was thinking that the singer kinda looks like Patton Oswalt
 
This is one case where, if these bands tour, I think I would forego the local touring stops in favor of traveling to the fest to see them all in one shot. It'll just be that cool to be at the fest next year (under other circumstances I would decide the opposite).

I pretty much need to do that these days. Seeing the bands individually usually means I still need to use vacation time and I end up having to drive home tired as hell. After falling asleep at the wheel on the ride home from Sonata two years ago, it's just easier and safer for me to get it all done in Atlanta. Far better crowds usually anyway.
 
Here's my two cents/plan for next year. I'm sure most of you don't care, but whatever. Here we go:


Illusion Suite - They released a very strong debut, and I like it very much. They will go well among the prog crowd, and will appeal to a few power metal fans, since there's a bit of a crossover element (not much). I plan on checking their entire set.

Stormwarrior - I'll be honest here. The only band that I enjoy that sounds like Gamma Ray is, well, Gamma Ray. Stormwarrior doesn't do much for me. In fact, they don't really do anything. Do I plan on giving them another chance and listening to their music before the show? Yes. Do I think my opinion will change? Probably not.

Seventh Wonder - My main draw for the fest. I love this band. They are the perfect band for this fest. Great melodies, great hooks, great musicianship... I can't friggin' wait!

Tyr - What a curveball this was. I didn't see this coming at all. I am not 100% familiar with Tyr's music, but I hear good things about it. I plan on checking out their new disc and older material. I have a feeling I'll be watching most of their set, but we shall see.

Nocturnal Rites - Hell yeah! This band will be fun. They're full of energy and the melodies are crazy! What a treat for the power metal crowd!! I will definitely watch these guys!

Kamelot - One of the top names in the style nowadays. That being said, since I've seen them 7 times, I will most likely watch most of their set, but will try to socialize a little bit during it too.


Paradoxx - I am not an old school/thrashy power metal fan. Never been and probably never will be. I don't plan on watching their set, maybe a song or two tops. This will be my early dinner band.

Oceans of Sadness - The big question mark will end up surprising a lot of people. They are very cool, I am looking forward to seeing it. Few bands can mix prog and doom as well as these guys. And also, a bit of growling is not bad for anyone.

DGM - Great choice for a 3rd slot. Another excellent band that's right on the line between Prog and Power. I have a feeling they're going to have a good reaction by the crowd.

Delain - Oh man, their singer is beautiful. I don't think they should be ranked that high on the bill. 4th slot may be a bit much for them, but their music is cool and, in case you missed it, their singer is beautiful. I'll definitely check their set, but am not sure if I'll be there for the whole thing.

Tarot - They will set the house on fire, just as Nocturnal Rites will. Finally!! I think they may have the house full during their set!

Hammerfall - I understand the pick. I understand the excitement by power fans. They're fun live, but I don't think I'll be watching much. I was hoping for something a bit better, but what can we do? Fun set for sure, though.
 
Friday:

Illusion Suite
Stormwarrior
Seventh Wonder
Tyr
Nocturnal Rites
Kamelot


Saturday:

Paradox
Oceans of Sadness
DGM
Delain
Tarot
Hammerfall

Reason Enough For Me To Come To ProgPower If It Was Just Them (never seen before) :headbang: - Nocturnal Rites, Delain

Extremely Excited About (never seen before) - Tarot (I think this is the first metal band I've heard before Nick. :lol:)

Seen Before, Will At Least Enjoy Part Of Their Sets (expect US tours built off this) - Tyr, Kamelot, Hammerfall

Heard Of But Need To Check Them Out More - Illusion Suite (sounds proggy, probably not my thing), Stormwarrior, Seventh Wonder, Paradox, DGM

Who? :lol: - Oceans of Sadness (also sounds proggy, probably not my thing, but I will check them out)

The line-up is definitely very power heavy, but I think it's a solid line-up that will draw well! Congrats to Glenn on a job well done and best of luck for no road blocks this year! :headbang: I'm already looking very much forward to it!
 
I really can't comprehend how/why Delain is playing 4 slots up the bill. It just doesn't make any sense to me. They have 2 albums.

I can say one thing, it seems as though Nocturnal Rites have ALREADY stolen the show, haha. Their set alone should be worth this trip.
 
I really can't comprehend how/why Delain is playing 4 slots up the bill. It just doesn't make any sense to me. They have 2 albums.

I can say one thing, it seems as though Nocturnal Rites have ALREADY stolen the show, haha. Their set alone should be worth this trip.

Maybe album sales #s, and maybe just fits well in that slot for the overall fest makeup.
 
I really can't comprehend how/why Delain is playing 4 slots up the bill. It just doesn't make any sense to me. They have 2 albums.

So did Epica when they played.

This argument comes up every year regarding some band not being high enough or being too high. There were a bunch of people complaining about Virgin Steele's slot comparing it to the 2+ hrs they usually played in clubs on LI. Well, it ended up being one of the smallest crowds of the night so all signs point to Glenn knowing exactly what he's about.
 
It's easy for me. I have every disc by all these bands accept Oceans of Sadness. This is going to be incredible!! Thanks Glenn for a very good, very Powerful line up!!:kickass::devil: