I was very surprised that the singer from Collage was the same singer from Believe last year (I'll have to accept the word of others about this). Last year he seemed very humble and laid back, but very over theatrical to a negative. Boy did he get confidence. In fact he was a egocentric prick, but still over theatrical. However much he rubbed me the wrong way, there is no denying his singing ability. "We Are Collage"
One thing I didn't like about a few of the groups there, Red Sand, Clepsydra and to a lesser extent Collage, is that the lead guitarist only played in the upper register (down at the bottom of the neck). Where is the dynamics? They need to mix things up a little bit more.
My favorites of the weekend were, in no particular order, Beardfish, TYS, Frightpig, and Caravan (bucket list band for me). There was a big drop-off after these four but the rest would be in order Collage, Subsignal, SoC, EoS, Clepsydra, Red Sand.
I had a great time. Attended with my wife and two friends. My 7th straight. The sound I thought was the best ever (I was sitting in the Middle). I wish they had this year's sound last year, as I thought that a few bands (PoS and Riverside) were too quiet last year. The lights pissed me off a little (shining directly in your eyes), especially during Beardfish when it seemed the worst.
Unfortunately I did not meet Sal.