ProgPower USA – United Nations Of Metal
September 9, 2017, 7 years ago
Friday, September 8th saw a cavalcade of international acts stroll across the Atlanta stage, including representatives from Brazil, Israel, Spain, Germany, Tunisia and the USA. First up were Daydream XI, a jazzy, groove laden act who take after countrymen Angra's Holy Land, mixed with the melancholia of Evergrey. Interesting mix, long on instrumental passages. Speaking of the Holy land, Israel progsters Distorted Harmony debuted. Lords Of Black, who feature Ritchie Blackmore's current singer in Rainbow, Ronnie Romero were the first real metal band of the day: power chords, headbanging, screaming volume and that's just from the guitarist!
Judging from the reception (returning to ProgPower, after a 16 year absence), Angel Dust could have been a headliner. Ditto the atmospheric Myrath, another returnee. Final band of the evening was well traveled drummer Mike Portnoy (best known from his days in Dream Theater, although I've seen him more with Twisted Sister) performing with his Shattered Fortress solo effort, backed by the guys in Haken, who played earlier in the week, A more elaborate run-down of the ProgPower weekend will be posted online soon. Meanwhile, here's some images from Friday.