The lineup for ProgPower USA XVI was announced on Friday, September 12th just after a headlining set by Seventh Wonder. While the roster itself seems to lack any real “huge” names it does seem to have some really strong bands to boast. One of the things I’m really looking forward to this year is seeing every one of these bands for the first time. As a music lover and a lover of going to concerts in general, I can’t think of anything more exciting than seeing bands for the first time live. It’s even more exciting when you know nothing about said bands and they just really blow you away.
The only bands on this lineup that I am really familiar with is Anathema and Denmark’s Anubis Gate. Anubis Gate alone is enough reason for me to attend this two day festival right here in my home town of Atlanta, GA. I decided to watch the ProgPower XVI announcement video and below I have listed my first impressions on each band that will be performing. It will be interesting for me to go back and revisit this after the festival to see if my opinions change or are confirmed. ProgPower XVI will take place on September 11th and 12th, 2015 at Center Stage Theater.
Keep in mind that this “preview” was written solely on the music clips offered in PPUSA Roster video and the videos that I picked to watch by each band.
Without further adieu, here is the run down for ProgPower XVI here in Atlanta, GA.
Friday, September 11, 2015 Lineup:
Hibria
Ok, so these guys sound pretty bad ass. It’s like Prog Thrash and right out the gates I felt pumped just listening to them. Their singer totally had a NWOBHM kind of sound and musically they just sound epic. I think I’ll totally get behind these guys. We’re off to a good start.
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Anubis Gate
YES! I can’t even tell how fucking excited about this I am. Hearing “Golden Days” in the preview video gave me chills and nearly brought a tear to my eye. I can’t remember the last time I was so ecstatic to see a band. I never thought I’d get the chance to see Anubis Gate so I’m DEFINITELY not going to pass this up. This band is going to kick so much fucking ass that I feel really bad for any band that has to follow them.
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Morgana Lefay
So this band is not at all what I thought they would sound like based on their name. These guys almost have a kind of black metal sound to them but damn I love this song that they picked for this video. It’s really dark and really heavy yet classic sounding. I think I’m going to dig these guys.
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Voyager
This is some really technical sounding stuff. They kind of remind me of Fates Warning a good bit. It’s really melodic sounding but I’m not sold on the song they chose to represent them. Maybe I’ll have to dig a bit deeper and see what they’re about.
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Falconer
So this band seems to be getting a lot of praise from the PPUSA crowd but I’m just not feeling this band. They sound so drab and just kind of unexciting. The vocals are just so plain and just unmoving as is the music. Again, maybe this wasn’t the best choice of a preview song but these guys might be one that end up passing on. I’ll give them a chance but this may be when I make my beer and merch run on Friday night.
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Anathema
I’ve never been a fan of Anathema. I’ve always thought that they were the Cure of progmetal. They’re just so whiney and just so blah. I never got the love that this band got as I just think they’re lame. Maybe if Falconer blows me away I’ll stay for them and then just leave before Anathema starts and go find a party or get some pizza and breadsticks from DiVinci’s.
Saturday, September 12, 2015 Lineup:
Helker
I felt like Beavis and Butthead as I just went, “YES!” This shit kicks some fucking serious ass. Helker kind of has this classic heavy metal sound that has a groove and just lays down a kick ass foundation. Just with this song they had me captivated and wanting to hear more. I really dug the hell out of this and definitely want more.
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Persefone
Um, ok, here we got. Another diarehea of the fingers prog band. The minute this song kicked I n I just rolled my eyes. Yay you! You can play all the notes. So much notes. Wow. Much fast. Such playings. Oh, there are vocals? Well, after hearing them, I could totally do without this. This might be a beer run for me.
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Dynazty
Ok, I loved the fuck out of this. The only way I can describe this band is that it’s like Glam Prog Metal. They look like Skid Row but they play like Blind Guardian. Their singer is off the fucking charts good and they sound so melodic. I’m really excited about this band and can’t wait to hear more from them.
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Riverside
Nine Inch Nails meets Enigma meets Tool. This is definitely not my cup of tea but I can see how this has the potential to be kind of cool in a live setting. Maybe with some visuals and some cool lights and what not. I’m totally not into this but it doesn’t suck. It’s very unobtrusive but just not my bag.
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Royal Hunt
So these guys are billed as headliners playing their album “Paradox” in its entirety. I nearly nodded off during this song clip. Again, it doesn’t suck but it just sounds so unexciting and uninspired. Not much more to say about this band other than they just seem to be kind of “meh” to me.
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Angra
Now this band definitely piqued my interest. They sound just like any other symphonic metal band to be honest but this band has a good 20 year history under their belts so one might even consider them one of the leaders in this genre. The band sounds pretty amazing live and the energy level that they put out seems to be really up there. They also seem to kind of sound a bit like Helloween which I fucking love. I think this band will be one that will either blow me away for get old after like 3 songs. I’m intrigued enough at this point to definitely check them out.
So there you have it. The roster for ProgPower XVI here in Atlanta on September 12 and 13, 2015. Tickets for this go on sale on Friday, October 4, 2014 via Ticketmaster.
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