Just got home from the WOA in Germany, quite an experience! Just thought I'd post for those going to PP4 this year on a couple items--
RAGE - Kicked ass! I wasn't even much of a fan going in, but they were definately a quality band who worked the audience very well. I don't remember the guitarist's name (not an original member), but he was easily one of the top 5 at the whole festival. They'll probably be one of the odd bands on this year's bill, but I think most people will be impressed, if not surprised at how much they like them.
MASTERPLAN - Awesome. Would be a killer band for next year. Lande is such a great singer, and the top notch professionalism was obvious. Real veterans, and it showed. Even did a Helloween medley.
CIRCLE II CIRCLE - Some very good songs, a bit of a letdown, though. They did a couple Savatage covers, which is cool, but they picked from the worst of the list. Then they finished up with 'Sanitarium' from Metallica! For a new band, I would have preferred to hear as much of their own original material as possible during their short set.
FREEDOM CALL - Boring, bad, more watered down than a Big Gulp on a hot summer day. Bad impression of Gamma Ray/Helloween/Hammerfall, etc. I hope they never play ProgPower.
RUNNING WILD - I know a lot of people asked for this band at ProgPower. Very good live band, lots of energy, very entertaining. Only complaint is that they played too many newer, slower songs that didn't really capture the crowd. The older tunes went over VERY well. Picture 25,000+ chanting the chorus to 'Under Jolly Roger'. Cool.
PRIMAL FEAR - Ralf Sheepers has improved so much since his early days, it's amazing. Hard to understand how he didn't get the Judas Priest job over Ripper Owens. Way more stage presence, too. Great classic German power metal band that would be awesome at next year's PP5. Anyone who likes Gamma Ray or classic Judas Priest should dig these guys. They absolutely rocked.
STRATOVARIUS - I know everyone wanted these guys this year (almost everyone...), and they didn't disappoint, especially on the huge stage with thousands of fans and a boatload of pyro. Still, Kotipelto gets a bit cheesy sometimes. Still very fun to see, and I know they would have rocked PP this year. Maybe next... ??
Count my votes for Masterplan and Primal Fear for PP5.
RAGE - Kicked ass! I wasn't even much of a fan going in, but they were definately a quality band who worked the audience very well. I don't remember the guitarist's name (not an original member), but he was easily one of the top 5 at the whole festival. They'll probably be one of the odd bands on this year's bill, but I think most people will be impressed, if not surprised at how much they like them.
MASTERPLAN - Awesome. Would be a killer band for next year. Lande is such a great singer, and the top notch professionalism was obvious. Real veterans, and it showed. Even did a Helloween medley.
CIRCLE II CIRCLE - Some very good songs, a bit of a letdown, though. They did a couple Savatage covers, which is cool, but they picked from the worst of the list. Then they finished up with 'Sanitarium' from Metallica! For a new band, I would have preferred to hear as much of their own original material as possible during their short set.
FREEDOM CALL - Boring, bad, more watered down than a Big Gulp on a hot summer day. Bad impression of Gamma Ray/Helloween/Hammerfall, etc. I hope they never play ProgPower.
RUNNING WILD - I know a lot of people asked for this band at ProgPower. Very good live band, lots of energy, very entertaining. Only complaint is that they played too many newer, slower songs that didn't really capture the crowd. The older tunes went over VERY well. Picture 25,000+ chanting the chorus to 'Under Jolly Roger'. Cool.
PRIMAL FEAR - Ralf Sheepers has improved so much since his early days, it's amazing. Hard to understand how he didn't get the Judas Priest job over Ripper Owens. Way more stage presence, too. Great classic German power metal band that would be awesome at next year's PP5. Anyone who likes Gamma Ray or classic Judas Priest should dig these guys. They absolutely rocked.
STRATOVARIUS - I know everyone wanted these guys this year (almost everyone...), and they didn't disappoint, especially on the huge stage with thousands of fans and a boatload of pyro. Still, Kotipelto gets a bit cheesy sometimes. Still very fun to see, and I know they would have rocked PP this year. Maybe next... ??
Count my votes for Masterplan and Primal Fear for PP5.
