Concerts

January 10, 2003
Gashlycrumb - Temper - Octane 7 - Ground
click on band names for pics

Gashlycrumb started about 10pm.  They played some originals and covers and they all sounded great.  These guys are good.  The singer sounded like James Hetfield at times and has some Bruce Dickinson sounds in the song "Gashlycrumb".  I don't care for James Hetfield but love Bruce Dickinson so it was a love hate thing going on with the singer :-).  They did Pink Floyd "The Wall", Black Sabbath "Black Sabbath", and Iron Maiden "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and quite well.  Since this is my first time seeing Gashlycrumb I must say they sound GREAT!  I would love to see the singer develop his voice and get the multiple voices I think he is capable of much like Wade in Crimson Glory and Ripper in Demolition.  These guys could be contenders....KEEP ROCKIN'!
Octane 7 came out rock'in the house with some old school blue/rock/metal very much like AC/DC.  I could name a dozen other bands with this formula but none of them pull it off as well as Octane 7!  Their songs were classic hook driven R&B rock n' roll!  Wanted to get their CD but spent everything I had already.  Hey guys send me a CD I want to review it!  I liked what I heard and saw.  The guitar player reminded me of Faster Pussycat for some reason.  I give this band my favorite of the evening with Gashlycrumb coming in second.  Of course this was Grounds evening!
Temper came out guns blazing and played a brutal set, rape and pillage!  This band is definitely more hardcore!  Vocal duties was shared between guitar player and singer.  Since I have to wear ear plugs I couldn't tell the two singers apart vocally much.  And since it's more hardcore I couldn't understand the lyrics either.  This was my second time seeing them and I don't know what to say.  Wish the singer sang more 'green manalishi' style vocals with the other stuff and some group vocals for stronger effect in parts of songs.  Keep up the hard work guys, these guys do rock n' roll hardcore for the fans of Heavy-Heavy Metal.
Ground came out and play a great set.  I saw their fans singing every song.  I must remember to listen to lyrics.  I usually can't hear them for some reason:-).  Ground started about 1 am and play right up to the last beer sold!  They really know how to throw a CD release party!!  Remember to check out the pics at neonblonde.com!

November 29, 2002
Symphony X/Blind Guardian
click on band names for pics

Symphony X came out and played a great set.  The Russell Allen seemed amazed the people there actually knew their stuff too!  I noticed several bands at the Prog Fest couldn't believe Americans rocked!  Unfortunately most of America does have a sheep mentality and listens just to what the mainstream is playing.  But Heavy Metal fans have always been above the masses.  Symphony X seemed to feed off this excitement and the fans did as well.  I'm sure that all the Symphony X fans were just as blown away as I was at the Hammerfall show.  It was really good.  I would say 1/3 of the crowd was there for Symphony X as well as Blind Guardian.  I'm also a fan just not as much as Hammerfall.  It was a great show guys and thanks! I hope to see you again!
Blind Guardian came out and performed a great show.  They played some of their favorites and some new songs off of "A Night At The Opera".  Welcome to Dying, The Lord of the Rings (encore), Goodbye My Friend, By The Gates of Moria, Precious Jerusalem, Nightfall, Mirror Mirror, Noldor (Dead Winter Reigns), The Bard's Song: In The Forest, Mordred's Song, Imaginations from the Other Side, etc.  Hansi seemed to be doing much better than at Prog and was holding the notes longer and with much more vigor (screams).  Blind Guardian aren't a run about the stage type of band.  They did thrash their hair at times but they don't really utilize the stage.  I know the keyboard player can't run around the stage but did they have to stick him in a dark corner with so much empty stage?  I know everyone there was excited to have Blind Guardian in Dallas, Texas!  It was a great show though anything short of 90 minutes is too short and they probably played 90 total including solo's and encores.  God knows they have the material to play more.  Hopefully they will come back and play more soon!

November 22, 2002
Hammerfall/Kings X/Dio
click on band names for pics

Hammerfall came out and rocked like metal warriors and had the arsenal to do it and do it well.  Having only 30 minutes (personally I think that is a load of crap! A show should be 45 minutes minimum) to play they came out guns blazing.  Of course they have enough good songs to do a 90 minute show easy and still not played all the good stuff!  To me the evening peaked and it couldn't get any better.  Check out the pics!
Kings X came out and did some great music for their fans.  I have two of their albums so I wouldn't say I'm a fan so I didn't know most of their music.  The one track I know best they didn't play "Black Flag".  HUH?!?  I don't get it but I got some good pics of the band!  Check them out.
Dio came out and did a lot of songs that weren't on his greatest hits.  He played the favorites but he has enough material that he can tour twice in one year and switch up enough songs to give the crowd plenty of what they came for!!  This was my first time seeing Dio live and he was as good today as he was 20 or more years ago.  My hat goes off to Dio being able to sing while everyone is sucking cancer and second hand smoking us out!  I don't know how he does it.  Why can't smokers take a few hours break on the cancer sucking?  Their was so much smoke my pics came out gray and grainy looking but it ain't the camera.  It's the smoke!!

PROG POWER USA III

November 15, 2002

Zero Hour/Silent Force/Edguy/Blind Guardian/Pain Of Salvation

Zero Hour started the Festival and did a fine job opening.  This is what I would call Prog!  They seemed new and haven't developed the stage presence and refinement but have room to grow!
Silent Force making their first US appearance came out and everyone new immediately this was a great band!  Great vocals, backing vocals and great guitar music.  These guys are awesome!  A must see; and they even did a Judas Priest cover as an encore "Another Thing Coming".  DC Cooper must have been blown away when the crowed started chanting D-C D-C!  One of their songs "Hear Me Calling" has a real Queenryche feel but their music doesn't sound Queensrychie.  Their albums sold out at the venue before the end of the second night!  Get their albums and go see them play, you won't be sorry!
Edguy making their debut US appearance was probably one of my favorites from the festival.  Like Silent Force I didn't know much about them but at least had heard of them unlike Silent Force.  Silent Force is my favorite discovery of the festival as well as Edguy!  Their singer Tobias Sammit sounds a lot like one of my favorite singers Bruce Dickinson!  And their music is also in the Maiden vein and they performed as well as Maiden too.  The only complaint I have is that they used sample tracks on songs to add keyboards and dialog.  To me you should leave out keyboards or bring them.  Leave the samples back in the studio where they belong.  Except for that Tobias spoke to the audience, encourage some competition between the right and left sides, and put on a great show!  These guys should be big!
Blind Guardian in their first US appearance were basically headlining the first night but played earlier to get more rest before flying out the next morning.  They played a flawless set but everyone I talked to agreed they didn't move much.  They lights also stayed down low most of the set and maybe that is why they didn't move much because it was dark.  I don't know but they do get my biggest disappointment award for the festival.  They were tired I guess.  What can I say other than they can sure play!
Pain of Salvation I believe have played a previous Prog Power Festival!  The singer also sings in another band which is currently on tour in Europe.  So he had to fly in for the festival, perform last, and catch a flight back to play that evening with them.  He can play and sing!  This band was also what I consider Prog.  The other three bands are more Power Metal!  Pain Of Salvation was by far the best Prog band at the festival but you have to like Prog!  Unfortunately many people left after Blind Guardian missing this great band. their loss!

November 16, 2002
Reading Zero/Threshold/Devin Townsend/Gamma Ray/Angra

Reading Zero reminded my a lot of Zero Hour in their presence and performance.  They performed their material really well but didn't have much stage presence and just wasn't up to the caliber of the other bands at the Festival.  This band also was what I call Prog as well as Threshold.
Threshold in their debut US show, like Silent Force, brought it up to the next level with their performance.  They were good and tight and did it really well but like the other Prog bands didn't have much to view while they played.  Until the last song when the bassist/singer introduced a guest bassist on the last song leaving the singer without a bass in his hands.  Well the singer didn't really move about too much more without the bass but the guest bassists was back and forth shaking and playing.  Yes a little liveliness finally!
Devin Townsend started his show with a "it's all about me, me, me...fuck-you!  I've listened to some of his stuff (Strapping Young Lad, Ocean Machine, Physicist)  The guy changes his sound so much he has to think up different band names.  Actually Physicist is more Strapping Young Lad sounding which to me has more roots in punk than prog.  Ocean Machine is more prog sounding but I have to say I didn't care for most of what I heard.  By the feedback I got from those around me he didn't pick-up too many new fans, but I did meet one who was and he enjoyed the show!
Gamma Ray's first US performance and I was there!!!  This is why I came all the way from Dallas to Atlanta and worth the trip it was!  Kai and crew rocked the place like pros.  Doing some of their best stuff but leaving out some of my favorites.  I wish they would have replaced the 9 minute drum solo with a couple of my favorite songs.  They did make up for it with two Helloween covers including "I Want Out" as the final encore song.  Unfortunately someone with their finger on the curtain button pushed it too soon literally, while the band was playing no less.  Did they open it back up so we could see them finish or take a bow.  NO!!!  Glenn where were you and how did you let that happen?!
Angra's debut US show!  Man these guys are good!  They moved around and seemed to enjoy themselves quite a bit.  Great show guys!  They pulled out some extra drums, which all the members played, some interesting Brazilian rhythms.  It was done well and was something I hadn't seen done at a metal show before!  Quite refreshing, not to long, and back to the Rock N Roll!
I never realized they would have so many headlining quality bands at this festival!  Silent Force, Edguy, Blind Guardian, Pain Of Salvation, Threshold, Gamma Ray, and Angra most of which were making their First US Appearance!  Wake-up America!  I must say it was the best organized Festival I've ever been to!  There were people there from over 14 different countries and I have never rocked with a more polite crowd.  The area outside the coliseum was cramped where the vendors were but the vendors did have every album I ever wanted.  Wish I had more money..hehehe!  I must say my hats off to Glenn for putting on the best show I may ever get to go to!  I got a booklet of the bands and a double CD with the show!  Don't know how you did it Glen but let's do it again soon!!!!

October 5, 2002
Spittin Jonah/Aska

Spittin Jonah played great.  Billy has a Dio'esque sound to his voice.  Matt crunches out the rythmns and leads one song after another.  I was wanting a Dio cover before too long, but the only cover they played was Iron Maiden's "The Trooper".  A couple of more covers is all they need I felt.  They rock hard and loud!  This is a band I could like if I could hear it some more.
Then came Aska!!  They play a lot of originals and some covers and did it with precision I haven't seen in them before.  Their timing was tight and it added a cool progressive edge to their songs.  Looking forward to the next album with the new drummer Danny!
NOW MY GRIP!!!  There wasn't hundreds of people there even though the volume was set at Arena levels!  Not sure I see the purpose of this is since I have to where earplugs the whole night.  Unfortunately that eliminates most of the vocals and guitar which leaves bass and drums.  I've tried wearing the ear filters but they don't block enough sound to stop my ears from ringing.  Let me tell you folks, for me to say something is too loud (I am partially deaf) when I listen to it loud, just to hear, it is unheard of.  =pun=

August 3, 2002
Aska/El Loco/Judas Priest

The evening began with Aska taking stage.  They did 6 originals and that is all they had time for.  These guys blow them away and I know they picked up some new fans because I heard them talking.  It was too short but they really have some great songs.  Some Judas Priest would be glad to call theirs or even Iron Maiden.
Then came El Loco or smoko dopo or whatever.  This was a Priest night so I don't know what a 'linkin park' wanna be band was doing in-between two Arena Metal Bands!  The fans were begging for Priest before they finished their set.  Also the only way the singer could get cheers is to mention Aska or Priest!  Then came Judas Priest...
I saw Judas Priest just over 7 months ago and believe it or not it wasn't the same crowd except for a few.  Ripper and Priest know how to rip them up!  God knows they been doing it long enough.  They played a few new songs and some classics with some from every album in between.  I few new ones were Exciter and Devil's Child but they didn't play my favorite "The Green Manalishi" which they did play in January.  Ripper can nail the classic tunes.  I know some missed Rob but Ripper rocks!  I have praised their performance now let me rip on them a little.  First Ripper sang great!  But Ripper didn't talk with the audience other than announcing a song off an album.  He did mention it was hot in there a couple of times and it was hot!  Maiden was still hotter a few years ago ('99) in the Bronco Bowl (next door).  My second complaint is the security there was being a real a-hole I assume at Judas Priest's requests. I recognized severial security from previous shows but they never acted like this.  Bad PR for the Priest and there was a rail or fence put up in front of the stage to keep fans more than a arms distance away.  This too was something I hadn't seen at a concert here but did see at the January show.  Do they want to keep their fans away?  I did see Ripper and Scott signing autographs but the bus fumes were getting to me.  Since they put all without blue badges at the back of the bus that was running.  Sorry guys you aren't worth my health!  Otherwise good show but I do expect better.

June 30, 2002
XXX/Night Ranger/Bad Company/Foreigner

XXX - represents the band I don't know the name of.  Seems like they should buy a banner or something.  I did catch they were from New York.  A three piece that played Stevie Ray Vaughn/Jimi Hendrix type rock n roll.  Not bad and might here more about them in the future if I find out their name that is!
Night Ranger came out and played about an hour hitting all their most popular stuff and even throwing in a Damn Yankees song really was a treat.  Great show but short.  I have to say this about Night Ranger to all those metalheads.  Their Dawn Patrol album rocks!  They ended their set with Rock in America and the rains came....
Well it stopped long enough for Bad Company to come out and do Joe Fabulous and their greatest hits including Youngblood!  Great show.  I do believe Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke are the only two original members this show.  It would have been nice to see Mick Ralphs but Dave Colwell did a great job.  It was a great show for me at least.  Again the rains came and we went home.  Foreigner I'm still hoping I get to see you guys soon.

April 12, 2002
Broken Toyz/Aska/Saxon

Broken Toyz is an old school rock n roll band along the lines of Deep Purple/Montrose.  They do "Highway Star" which is one of my favorites.  The have a good singer who just needs to stop holding back and let it all loose the way Sammy does!  More scream and taking his voice to the edge would put them up there with Great White.  Who the singer favors vocally in my own opinion.  They put on a solid show.
Aska performed the same show they did two nights ago opening for Lizzy Borden minus a track or two.  These guys hold there own next to bands like Lizzy Borden and Saxon which says plenty on it's own.
Saxon came out and performed several off of Killing Ground and the bonus remake of the classics.  So it was a great show with all their classic stuff from the early eighties and their most recent stuff.  And finally get to see my band in great looking outfits.  Denim and Leather!  Damn Biff wore a long full length leather jacket almost the entire show!  I was sweating for him.  Best show I've seen them do!

April 10, 2002
Lifesize/Aska/Lizzy Borden

Lifesize started the evening.  Popular opinion of people I talked to who actually like the bands music thought the singer was the weakest link but liked what was happening with the rest of the band.  Maybe if the vocalist took some voice lessons because he was missing it.  They sounded the most like Sevendust.
The backup band was Aska.  Who have 4 albums out but unfortunately the first two are already out of print.  A real shame since their second album "Immortal" is really good.  I haven't heard their first album yet.  Anyone with a copy please make me one.  They played crown of thorns, stalker, leprosy, leather, heaven n hell/neon nights, immortal, angels o war, valkyries!  They opened with Leprosy but to me should have started with Crown of Thorns and Leather which they played next.  Only cover was a medley of Heaven & Hell/Neon Nights (Black Sabbath).  These guys are as good as Kiss or Iron Maiden just suffering a sign of the times with Heavy Metal.
Lizzy Borden did a classic set list incorporating several of their Deal With The Devil songs in with them.  The songs fit right in and as a matter fact Deal With The Devil is one of their best albums!  Lizzy Borden rock American Metal style with props and makeup and show extraordinary! 

February 15, 2002
Broken Toyz/ES3/Firehouse

Broken Toys were good.  They played some originals of course I don't know but seem OK.  The house sound mix was horrible.  Not the bands fault.  Not my choice of venues.  They played a Deep Purple song "Space Truckin".  Deep Purple "Machine Head" and "Made In Japan".  Are my two favorite DP albums.  Broken Toyz have a new CD out "High N Dry"!  ES3 may not be there name since I couldn't hear exactly what they were calling themselves.  They were a younger band with lots of energy.  But really I was there for Firehouse!  First time I've seen them and guess what!  NO HAIR!  Before I go on and on about the fact that they looked like my kids with little boy haircuts, let me tell you about the show.  They do a damn good job playing a whole bunch of great songs!  Since they do write great songs.  My only complaint and I understand was they played mostly off the first two albums.  Great albums, actually all their albums are great.  I recommend any you can find.  Their new one "O2" is really good.  I know most people only have their first two so they played a lot of great songs of those albums.  They put on a good show but they didn't seem too fired up.  Maybe it's because they played a 5000 seat venue the first time to Dallas, a 3500 venue the second time, and now there was maybe 500 there in the club.  Popularity is radio controlled.  I blame the radio.  Well since the singer mentioned it and I'll try to quote "...yea I know we're a hair band and without any hair but we have always been about the music".  That's a shorten version.  My remark to that is thanks for continuing to make the music you make.  They didn't go alternative or change their sound and that my friends is awesome and rare.  The hair, I wish they had it.  I do and so did a lot of their fans too.  Maybe it's because it was the day after Valentines but I did see a lot of couples holding each other that night.  I'll have to see them again with my woman!  Thanks guys for some great music and grow some hair!  Sex, Love, & Rock N Roll!

January 25, 2002
Anthrax/Judas Priest

Summer 2000
Poison/Cinderella/Dokken/Slaughter

Dallas/TX - The concert started at 6 PM. I arrived at 6:10. Slaughter was already on stage. They played 35 minutes. I wanted more but it was early and the next band had to get on quickly too. I didn't hear anything off of 'Revolution' which is my favorite album. I'm just getting their 'Fear No Evil' since I can't find a copy locally. I have to get it via the internet. I've gotten most of it so far. My friend has the rest. Back to the show. Dokken came on at 6:55 and play 35 minutes. Ending at 7:30. I'm not a fan really but they were as good as anyone else. There new guitarist rocks. I can't compare him with George. Cinderella where on stage by 7:45 and rocked for 1 hour and 10 minutes. They are some talented guys. You go boys. I liked them. Their 'Still Climbing' is my fovorite. Poison come out and did their thing. I like Poison and am most familiar with their work as compared to the other bands. C.C. Deville is crazy and needs meds. He was all over the floor jamming. I love their new song 'I Hate Every Bone In Your Body But Mine'. CC sang and played. It rivals 'Unskinny Bop' for hooky songs. CC said it was a love song! Thank-you CC I was telling the Mrs. the same thing just the day before. Except for the first to band sets being short it was a great show. Had a great time!

2000 - 200X
Aska (Arlington)

I've seen these guys a number of times.  Usually a small club or bar.  They have a lot of talent and real strong tunes.  They play covers and originals.  You'll know the covers from Kiss, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest mixed in with some originals that sound just as good as the covers.  I've heard most of their songs live more than on CD now!  Live performances are just as well done as the CD's.  The only reason these guys aren't big as Iron Maiden or Kiss is the industry is cashing in on bought songs and singers.  These guys are worth seeing anytime.  More than once because I hear a different cover mixed in each time.

Rock their ASKA's off!

For Those About To Rock!!!

ROCK HARD!

St. Hood