PROGPOWER USA XXIII

[ProfessorPeart]

So Klone's songs are all clones?

[Nick]

Mindmaze were pretty good too.  First time even listening to them, went in blind.  I thought it was a bit odd that the guitarist spoke over the singer multiple times, and one of my new friends I was chatting with also pointed that out, but otherwise I enjoyed their set. 

Jeff (guitarist) and Sarah (singer) are siblings and at this point I could write a book about their often awkward onstage commentary. But I'm glad you enjoyed their set. Very happy for them to finally get the nod to play the festival!

[lonestar]

Guitarist of MindMaze is the younger brother of the singer, I'd imagine he's been interrupting her since birth

[cramx3]

Oh wow, I was thinking they were married and the guy I mentioned thought they were siblings.  It seemed odd without the context, but that makes sense. 

[lonestar]

Oh wow, I was thinking they were married and the guy I mentioned thought they were siblings.  It seemed odd without the context, but that makes sense. 

Yup, Jeff is the guitarist, Sara the singer, and the bassist has been with them since HS as well. Actually, Nick was their original drummer when they were Necromancer (I think that's right).

[Melphina]

Day 1 was boring as all get out except for F&J for me. Day 2 I loved finally seeing Wilderun. They played The Unimaginable Zero Summer. Hell yeah.

Was up dead center for Stratovarius in front of the barricade for their whole set and met them after, got pictures and setlist signed, played my favorite ballad ever, new album announced and single released yesterday, I am beyond happy.

[cramx3]

That's sick you got to meet them and get things signed, I was hoping to get my Nemesis album signed but sadly they are the only band not doing a signing session. 

[Ben_Jamin]

Day 1 was boring as all get out except for F&J for me. Day 2 I loved finally seeing Wilderun. They played The Unimaginable Zero Summer. Hell yeah.

Was up dead center for Stratovarius in front of the barricade for their whole set and met them after, got pictures and setlist signed, played my favorite ballad ever, new album announced and single released yesterday, I am beyond happy.

I was on the right side, behind the barrier, right by the guy that is obsessed with Stratovarious. It was a great show and I am glad they at least played Forever. Would have been neat to hear Seasons of Change, but I knew they weren't. I also knew we were likely going to get a usual set from them. Which we did get, but it's why I went and I had a damn blast.

I am also a bit sad we didn't get an encore for Pain of Salvation because their "Invisible Hologram" had tech trouble. But, him explaining why the tabs were wrong for King of Loss was hilarious. My highlight was Her Voices, I love that song.

[cramx3]

Yeah, that does suck POS didn't get an encore.  I went into the festival not really a fan of them, but I thought their performance was really good.  Like I kind of expected to dip out during their set, but I watched the entire thing and enjoyed it.  I thought it was funny when Daniel said he was dreading this day for 3 years 

[Ben_Jamin]

Yeah, that does suck POS didn't get an encore.  I went into the festival not really a fan of them, but I thought their performance was really good.  Like I kind of expected to dip out during their set, but I watched the entire thing and enjoyed it.  I thought it was funny when Daniel said he was dreading this day for 3 years 

Past Daniel making it Future Daniels problem. 

That was funny too. I could tell they were tired, it was their last stop, and they were ready to go home.

[TAC]

Flotsam and Jetsam - Brace for Impact

Easily the best set of the night IMO was Flotsam.  They also sounded really good and tight.  The bassist commented that he liked my Haken shirt.

 

[lonestar]

We proudly present our Days 3 & 4 Roster for 2023:

Friday, Day 3
Cryptex (Germany)
Wind Rose (Italy)
Ad Infinitum (Switzerland)
Green Carnation (Norway)
Caligula's Horse (Australia)
Kamelot (Multi-national)

Saturday, Day 4
Poverty's No Crime (Germany)
Shaman (Brazil)
Orbit Culture (Sweden)
Delain (Netherlands)
Unleash the Archers (Canada)
Myrath (Tunisia)

Dates: September 6-9, 2023
Tickets for Days 3 & 4 will go on sale Saturday, September 10, 2022


That lineup might finally get my ass to Atlanta, let's see what days 1&2 got...

[senecadawg2]

I thought Klone were great, and Seven Spires really surprised me, but PoS were the ones to beat, for me. Bassist or not, they were superb. Daniel is such a charismatic performer, and everyone else was on point.

About next year's line up, I don't know if I'll go or not, but Green Carnation and Caligulas Horse especially seem like they would be great

[lonestar]

I was eyeballing Caligula's and Myrath, they're supposed to be insane live.

[Ben_Jamin]

Im just gonna start saving now because both those lineups would all be amazing to see live.

[Nick]

We proudly present our Days 3 & 4 Roster for 2023:

Friday, Day 3
Cryptex (Germany)
Wind Rose (Italy)
Ad Infinitum (Switzerland)
Green Carnation (Norway)
Caligula's Horse (Australia)
Kamelot (Multi-national)

Saturday, Day 4
Poverty's No Crime (Germany)
Shaman (Brazil)
Orbit Culture (Sweden)
Delain (Netherlands)
Unleash the Archers (Canada)
Myrath (Tunisia)

Those in bold have played the festival or tour the US regularly, so no worries in getting over. But with the rest of the lineup being so international, my only worry at this point is how close will this roster be to what actually plays in 2023.

[Melphina]

Next year's lineup is so weak it's impressive

[Melphina]

Edit: crap. On mobile at the fest trying to upload a couple photos. Have to figure it out later. Sorry!

[SoundscapeMN]

he finally gets Shaman, well over a decade after Andre Matos has left the band, and more importantly, is gone (RIP).

I'd love to see Green Carnation. Maybe like Pain of Salvation, they'll try and do some touring of the States to coincide and they'll find a way to my hometown.

[jingle.boy]

We proudly present our Days 3 & 4 Roster for 2023:

Friday, Day 3
Cryptex (Germany)
Wind Rose (Italy)
Ad Infinitum (Switzerland)
Green Carnation (Norway)
Caligula's Horse (Australia)
Kamelot (Multi-national)

Saturday, Day 4
Poverty's No Crime (Germany)
Shaman (Brazil)
Orbit Culture (Sweden)
Delain (Netherlands)
Unleash the Archers (Canada)
Myrath (Tunisia)

Dates: September 6-9, 2023
Tickets for Days 3 & 4 will go on sale Saturday, September 10, 2022


That lineup might finally get my ass to Atlanta, let's see what days 1&2 got...

Well, if you're there, I'm there.  But Nick makes a good point.  Who's fronting Delain nowadays?

PNC, Ad Infinitum, and Myrath have my interested piqued.  Kamelot of course (though I've seen them twice).

[axeman90210]

The only two bands in that list I've heard of are Caligula's Horse and Kamelot, but I'd be very interested in seeing both. I'll also be a lot closer to ATL by then.

[Ben_Jamin]

I the only band I wasn't really feeling during the video was Cryptex...

But damn, am I kicking myself for not listening to Ad Infinitum.

[lonestar]

We proudly present our Days 3 & 4 Roster for 2023:

Friday, Day 3
Cryptex (Germany)
Wind Rose (Italy)
Ad Infinitum (Switzerland)
Green Carnation (Norway)
Caligula's Horse (Australia)
Kamelot (Multi-national)

Saturday, Day 4
Poverty's No Crime (Germany)
Shaman (Brazil)
Orbit Culture (Sweden)
Delain (Netherlands)
Unleash the Archers (Canada)
Myrath (Tunisia)

Dates: September 6-9, 2023
Tickets for Days 3 & 4 will go on sale Saturday, September 10, 2022


That lineup might finally get my ass to Atlanta, let's see what days 1&2 got...

Well, if you're there, I'm there.  But Nick makes a good point.  Who's fronting Delain nowadays?

PNC, Ad Infinitum, and Myrath have my interested piqued.  Kamelot of course (though I've seen them twice).

Yeah, seen Delain and Kamelot a few times already, and am curious who takes Charlotte's place for sure. Big draws would be Caligula's and Myrath, the latter having legendary status for their past PP sets. I have a feeling Caligula's will tack on a  tour since they cancelled one because of Covid. I have made half assed promises to various regular attendees that I would hit one up before the last in a few years, if my recent promise of a promotion goes through, I may be able to pull this off.

[Lethean]

I think Mindmazeaw would be better off just not talking at all. I wasn't there but saw them once before and one of them said "nobody wants to hear me talk" but really nobody wanted to hear either of them talk - it was kind of painful.

Green Carnation and Caligula's Horse back to back next year is awesome.  I hope neither have to cancel.

[cramx3]

 I pointed out the question about Arion's pronunciation to multiple people yesterday 

[Melphina]

Dude Arion is blowing my mind. They're SO GOOD live.

[Ben_Jamin]

Dude Arion is blowing my mind. They're SO GOOD live.

They were amazing. Got here for the last half hour of their set.

[cramx3]

Their sound wasn't perfect but I really enjoyed the Arion performance. They were the band I wanted to see the most and they seemed to have fun with a responsive crowd for 2pm. I had to go back to my room to rest after them lol missed TYS and most of Riot.

[Ben_Jamin]

I found it hilarious Thank You Scientist was sandwiched between two Heavy sounding bands.

Had them sign my ticket since their table was open and they complimented me on my shirt being old and that I've been listening for a long time due to me wearing this shirt. It was great.

[TAC]

Their sound wasn't perfect but I really enjoyed the Arion performance. They were the band I wanted to see the most and they seemed to have fun with a responsive crowd for 2pm.

I just watched your video on them (and  'd it) and I thought they were great. Looked like a really cool band to see live.

[cramx3]

On line to meet them now!

[Adami]

I’ve never been to a prog power, so you get to meet all the bands?

[lonestar]

I’ve never been to a prog power, so you get to meet all the bands?

Yep, most of the bands do signing sessions, and from what I've seen, they basically hang around and party with everyone too.

[Adami]

I’ve never been to a prog power, so you get to meet all the bands?

Yep, most of the bands do signing sessions, and from what I've seen, they basically hang around and party with everyone too.

Hmmm. I think thus far I’ve only heard of/like 1-3 bands per show. So it’s never enough to justify the effort but maybe I’ll consider it next time.

[Ben_Jamin]

And that is the end....

What a weekend and an amazing ProgPower given the circumstances. All the bands were great.

I enjoyed my 2nd ProgPower and hope to make it next year.