Promoter Glenn Harveston decided to shake things up at this ninth annual edition of ProgPower USA (PPUSAIX). Instead of ten, this year’s festival featured twelve of the world’s best progressive and power metal bands. A special Wednesday show was added and the usual Thursday pre-party was bumped for the Hellish Rock tour’s Atlanta stop.
Atlanta locals, Eclipsed By Sanity started the event off, followed by a unique acoustic performance from ex-Crimson Glory singer Midnight (with members of Jon Oliva’s Pain). Circle II Circle, featuring former Savatage frontman Zak Stevens, sounded awesome. Guitarists Andy Lee and newest member Bill Hudson put on a clinic. At one point Lee was playing a one-handed solo, while his other hand played with a yo-yo. Try that one Yngwie!
The next night, the Gamma Ray/ Helloween Hellish Rock show was sold out. Special openers, Denmark’s Manticora, got the crowd warmed up. Gamma Ray, featuring Helloween co-founder, guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen, was amazing. Hansen could do no wrong as the crowd loudly chanted his name. Highlights included “Rebellion In Dreamland,” “Valley of the Kings,” “Heavy Metal Universe” and Helloween’s “Ride the Sky.”
Helloween picked up where Gamma Ray left off. Fantastic frontman, Andi Deris, sings songs from both Helloween eras. Favorites were “A Tale That Wasn’t Right,” “March of Time,” “If I Could Fly” and “Perfect Gentleman.” For an unbelievable finale, both bands jammed together. Original Helloween guitarists Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath reunited at center stage for “Future World” and “I Want Out.”
On Friday, PPUSAIX’s first official day kicked off with Italy’s Pathosray and Elvenking. Elvenking’s enthusiasm and interesting mix of folk and power metal made them fun to watch. Swedish prog-metalers Andromeda were also crowd favorites. Germany’s Iron Savior, led by guitarist/vocalist Piet Sielck, kicked some serious ass! For many (including myself), they were the day’s highlight. Poland’s Riverside put the “prog” in ProgPower this year, while Finland’s Amorphis provided the festival’s heaviest set.
The amazing Saint Deamon was the weekend’s biggest surprise. This is a band to watch for! Spheric Universe Experience played a heavy prog metal set. Metal veteran, Rob Rock sounded fantastic, and his killer performance was filmed for an upcoming DVD. The enthusiasm of Sweden’s Mustasch was infectious. “We’re playing in America and you LIKE us!” exclaimed guitarist/vocalist Ralf Gyllenhammer.
“The Mountain King,” Jon Oliva played a combination of Savatage classics and Jon Oliva’s Pain favorites. Zak Stevens joined Jon and his band (made up of former Circle II Circle members) on “Edge of Thorns.” Crowd favorites Iced Earth, led by guitarist Jon Schaffer, closed the fest with another incredible set. Fans welcomed back singer Matt Barlow by loudly chanting his name. Highlights included “Melancholy,” “Watching Over Me,” “Dracula” and the epic “Gettysburg.” |
Circle II Circle
Gamma Ray and Helloween
Helloween
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