PROGPOWER USA XXIII

[cramx3]

Maybe something to put on the radar for next year...

I commented on the new Evergrey music video on youtube asking them to come back to progpower next year and the singer responded from his personal account saying "sounds like a plan"

[jingle.boy]

Maybe something to put on the radar for next year...

I commented on the new Evergrey music video on youtube asking them to come back to progpower next year and the singer responded from his personal account saying "sounds like a plan"

They'd certainly be an ideal act for the 25th (and possibly last?*) PPUSA. 

*Though, I'm working under the assumption that Milton and/or Nathan will carry the torch.

[jingle.boy]

*Day 2 Roster Update*
Northtale has canceled their appearance at ProgPower USA XXIII. The band will issue their statement at their own time. This decision comes with disappointment, but with my full support given the circumstances.
I am elated to announce, however, that TEMPERANCE has been confirmed as the replacement and will now be performing on Day 2. It’s worth noting that they’ve gone above and beyond to make this performance happen and this will not go unnoticed. Please join me in welcoming them to the ProgPower USA family!
-Milton

I'm actually quite fine with this.  Temperance is more up my sonic alley.

Spotify: This is Temperance

[cramx3]

This is an upgrade for me.  Very happy with this.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't know either band. *shrugs*

*deletes Northtale from listening list, replaces with Temperance*

[hefdaddy42]

OK, I think I've heard all of Dark Tranquility I need to hear lol

[lonestar]

Sounds like it's time for the glory that is Lovebites...just listen to Electric Pentagram, that album is fucking flawless.

[hefdaddy42]

Sounds like it's time for the glory that is Lovebites...just listen to Electric Pentagram, that album is fucking flawless.

I'm on my third LB album right now, which happens to be Electric Pentagram!

[lonestar]

I'm on my third LB album right now, which happens to be Electric Pentagram!

 


They're gonna fucking slay so hard man...I've been blasting them for a week straight, and that run from Awakening from Abyss to Electric Pentagram is so killer....so many notes...so much shred...

[hefdaddy42]

I thought the first two albums were OK, not my normal cup of tea but not bad, but so far this is my favorite from them.

[lonestar]

I thought the first two albums were OK, not my normal cup of tea but not bad, but so far this is my favorite from them.

Yeah, I think it's their strongest as well. You can hear a difference between this and their last release Judgement day, that's because bassist and band founder Miho left. New bassist Fami is solid, but there's a drop in the songwriting for sure.

[cramx3]

I've been listening to their latest album lately.  They are incredible musicians.  Musically they are really good and right up my ally.  I've struggled a bit to really love the vocals.  They aren't bad, but they are holding me back from saying this band is really great to this band is really good.  I think they'll probably slay live for sure.  I'll eventually listen to more of their music.  I've got maybe 10 listens of the new album so I've got a good feel for this one now.

Yesterday I made a playlist of all the progpower bands for 2024 that I have on my phone . 242 songs across the following bands: Angra, Circus Maximus, Frozen Crown, Lovebites, Leprous. Eleine, Winger, Darkwater, Temperance, Twilight Force, and Pagans Mind 

[hefdaddy42]

I've been listening to their latest album lately.  They are incredible musicians.  Musically they are really good and right up my ally.  I've struggled a bit to really love the vocals.  They aren't bad, but they are holding me back from saying this band is really great to this band is really good.

That's kind of where I'm at right now.  I don't love the lead singer.

Yesterday I made a playlist of all the progpower bands for 2024 that I have on my phone . 242 songs across the following bands: Angra, Circus Maximus, Frozen Crown, Lovebites, Leprous. Eleine, Winger, Darkwater, Temperance, Twilight Force, and Pagans Mind 

No Amorphis or Soen?  Or (gasp!) Winger?

[cramx3]

That's kind of where I'm at right now.  I don't love the lead singer.
No Amorphis or Soen?  Or (gasp!) Winger?

Winger is on there, I bought the Pull album a few months ago.

Amorphis, I know I have an album of theirs (or two? I forget) but apparently it's not on my phone, I need to rectify that. 

Soen I do not have any music of.  I saw them at a previous progpower, thought they were OK.  I never really went back to check them out. I kind of keep forgetting about them too. 

[lonestar]

I'm the same way with Asami's vocals, initially they were borderline grating, though they are growing on me. She's got tremendous range, but there's a whiny-tingy edge to them that takes time to get used to. She was more tolerable in the early albums.



Whatever you do, don't express that opinion on a Lovebites fan page though...they're rather protective of her.

[cramx3]

Whatever you do, don't express that opinion on a Lovebites fan page though...they're rather protective of her.

Won't find me near these fan pages so I'm good 

[lonestar]

Won't find me near these fan pages so I'm good 

There's been a great row going on there lately, there's one dude who's a hardcore fan of new bassist Fami, and anytime someone mentions old bassist Miho, he goes all on a rage that "SHE LEFT, AND TO TALK ABOUT HER DISRESPECTS FAMI!!!"

I told him no matter how much simping he did, Fami wasn't going to fuck him. I got an "lol warning" from the page admin 

[jingle.boy]

I was rolling thru the This is Temperance playlist today.

[hefdaddy42]

Won't find me near these fan pages so I'm good 

Same

There's been a great row going on there lately, there's one dude who's a hardcore fan of new bassist Fami, and anytime someone mentions old bassist Miho, he goes all on a rage that "SHE LEFT, AND TO TALK ABOUT HER DISRESPECTS FAMI!!!"

I told him no matter how much simping he did, Fami wasn't going to fuck him. I got an "lol warning" from the page admin 

lol

[lonestar]

Jmetal fans are a silly lot...they go from casuals to those with a healthy obsession (me) to those who should probably seek therapy. The Babymetal fan pages are especially disturbing, I left all of those.


On the other side though, the fan bases are also pretty amazing, I'd say the Band Maid fans are easily the best out there of any band... They line up early for shows, and it's a day long tailgate with drinks, food, people passing out fan made merchandise, and general comraderie of fans who know each other very well through the fan pages. They'll buy extra tickets and VIP passes and pass them out to those in need (one dude gave my brother a VIP upgrade no questions asked, $200).

[cramx3]

Jmetal fans are a silly lot...they go from casuals to those with a healthy obsession (me) to those who should probably seek therapy. The Babymetal fan pages are especially disturbing, I left all of those.


On the other side though, the fan bases are also pretty amazing, I'd say the Band Maid fans are easily the best out there of any band... They line up early for shows, and it's a day long tailgate with drinks, food, people passing out fan made merchandise, and general comraderie of fans who know each other very well through the fan pages. They'll buy extra tickets and VIP passes and pass them out to those in need (one dude gave my brother a VIP upgrade no questions asked, $200).

I feel like this just describes every hardcore fan base really.  Have their ups and downs with people way overboard on their fandom but then generally most people are cool and friendly and enjoy being a fan with other fans.