Back Stage Pass

NOVEMBER '07

Harder Beat Magazine Online

All the scoop from Atlanta’s ProgPower

by Andy Laudano

Before his sold-out acoustic set, Jon Oliva hung out with fans inside the Vinyl. Afterward, as part of the club’s heavy metal karaoke, “The Mountain King” returned to the stage to sing AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” Zak Stevens, who performed with Oliva earlier, sang Bad Company’s “Rock and Roll Fantasy.”

Zak Stevens and Jon Oliva
Photo: Andy Laudano

Also in attendance was ex-Tad Morose vocalist, Urban Breed. He’s been busy working on both a solo album and a new band, Trail Of Murder, which features guitarist Daniel Olsson who also left Tad Morose. I was fortunate enough to hear two new songs from each project and they totally kick ass! Urban also got onstage for killer renditions of Queensryche’s “Eyes of A Stranger” and “Take Hold of the Flame.”

All the bands were very gracious with their time. Instead of hiding backstage, many artists could be found hanging out in the hall/lobby area posing for photos, signing autographs or just having a beer with fans. This was in addition to the scheduled signing sessions held between set changes.

What do Primal Fear guitarist Henny Wolter, Freak Kitchen guitarist/vocalist Mattias “IA” Eklundh and Krucible vocalist Lance King’s son Tomy all have in common? All three celebrated their birthdays, Oct. 6, at ProgPower. In a special moment, Tomy was presented a birthday cake onstage during Primal Fear’s set.

Following the incredible All-Star Jam that ended the event, most of next year’s lineup was revealed. They are Jon Oliva’s Pain, Iron Savior, Astral Doors, Riverside, Pathosray, Elvenking, Spheric Universe Experience, Andromeda, Serenity, Volbeat plus two headliners to be named at a later date.