ProgNation 2009 comments...

Negoba wrote: Well that seems a little harsh, and it may have been a function of the sound because at my show, the mellotron was almost inaudible. Though as you said, it didn't make a huge difference. I have one of their albums and as my review says, it's pure candy, but sometimes that's just what you're hungry for.

I don't think it is harsh Jay...  we celebrate groups everyday on this site that are no more clones of other groups and whose only claim to being progressive... is the lack being progressive and sounding like everyone else.

I know what you are saying about ear-candy... I live for it myself. That is my personal taste.. but there is objective side to looking at it.

They did sound like a 3rd rate DP knock-off with a twist... and probably why I enjoyed them as I did... as opposed to what came later. They were interesting.. and put on a great show and were extremely charismatic. and  if you are going to knock off a group... make it an interesting one at least. From a musical standpoint, I posted the impression I had..  the compositions were grade school quality..  no interplay between the keys and guitar which is the broth that makes heavy prog so tastey.  I enjoyed it.. but would never mistake them as anything other than an entertaining live act to watch with a Newcastle in hand.

Negoba wrote:   If you don't enjoy Bigelf, you don't know what rock n' roll is all about. It's nothing innovative or brilliant but it sure as hades rocks!

oh that they do.. they do rock hard. I enjoyed the 'show' .. the music itself though wasn't exactly impressive. The best heavy prog bands like Deep Purple  know how to use the Hammond to complement the guitar and vise versa... and especially the interplay between the two.   Bigelf's keyboard parts just seemed like they were pasted in..look how he used the mellotron... no feel in the grand scheme of the music.  Loved to watch them and enjoyed their 'show' ..   a mix of Alice Cooper and a 3rd rate Deep Purple knock-off. 

If you want a sample of how unbelievable ZpZ is, youtube "Echidna's Arf part 2." It's played at virtually every show and is just insanity. We got the full rendition of the "Black Page" also.

Edited by Negoba - August 28 2009 at 11:00

Negoba wrote:   If you don't enjoy Bigelf, you don't know what rock n' roll is all about. It's nothing innovative or brilliant but it sure as hades rocks!

I plead guilty. Not that Bigelf were bad, but I found the singer's voice very grating, and their music nothing special - even if normally I enjoy that kind of stuff.

Dweezil worshipped all the shredders in the 80's and is very good himself. He was probably just as fast as Pertucci. I'm not kidding.

I watched every minute of DT and enjoyed it. I hope the DT fans watch the other bands because they all have something different to offer. FWIW, the couple right in front of us had come to see Zappa Plays Zappa, asked us what DT were going to sound like. The best I could come up with "Sorta like Iron Maiden and Yes combined." In any case they really liked Dream Theater's set.

I'm going all the way to Las Vegas to see them perform live this friday (August 28th)

micky wrote: Fieldofsorrow wrote: micky wrote: yeah.... for all the sh*t we give DT...  give them props for spotlighting a band and music FAR more advanced and ..well... simply better in many ways than their own.  They were upstaged.   Funny thing is... I think they'd be the first to admit it, and that gets my respect.  To be honest, I think they just see it as demonstrating the wide variety of prog that is available, not worrying about who upstages whom. then they'd be the first band to be so self-righteous...     Do they worry.. of course not... they have a proven fanbase that will lap up whatever sh*t they release. however don't tell me they didn't notice large segments of the crowd that that came for music, not to worship the group, walking out in the middle of their set....

Edited by The T - August 25 2009 at 18:49

35 days and I'll see them! Can't wait.
Here, in Europe, the supporting bands are Unexpect, Bigelf and Opeth.

I haven't checked Unexpect yet, but as far as I read people love it or hate it and it's pure avant-garde metal.

For Bigelf, I've heard two albums so far, and I agree with all you say about their style. I'm sure they are going to be a nice warm up band before the main show.

Opeth - although I know only three albums, I really like them. We have a pretty strong fan base here in Poland. I know some people bough the tickets for the show mainy to see Opeth, not DT. Opeth will for sure give us more than an hour of great music.

But as I said before, DT is the main course. The setlists from previous shows aren't bad, I think. I pray for Beyond This Life, which is my Theatre's favourite from their heavier stuff, and Hollow Years, just to hear Petrucci's extended solo, which is my fav guitar part ever for now.


Edited by hirszu - August 25 2009 at 16:50

^Well, unexpected for me...