The Music Fix

Progressive Nation 2008 Calgary May 9 Live review

posted May 10, 2008, 1:50 am | Log In To Post Comments | view comments (3)
Tags: Dream Theater, Opeth, Between The Buried and Me, 3, Live review

I find it always best to write these things right after a show while everything is still fresh in your head.

First up on the Progressive Nation bill was the band I wanted to see most, 3. Not to spoil any surprises or anything but they were my favorite as well. The guys in the band were having a great time. It is totally apparent that 3 is really Joey Eppard's baby. He just ruled the stage. There was this one song where he got all flamenco on his Ovation guitar. Utterly amazing musicianship. The guy that was adding some of the percussion and some keyboards was entertaining to watch as well.

I had a chance to talk to Joey after their set. He seems like a very, humble and down to earth person. Thanks for putting on a great show Joey! Watch for an upcoming podcast featuring 3.

Next up was Between The Buried and Me. Their set consisted of like 2 songs. It was kinda like a Mars Volta show only in the fact that they stretched the songs out for ages. These guys weren't bad but their live show didn't really do it for me.

The mighty Swedes, Opeth were up. Their show was very impressive as well. They played a new song from their upcoming album, Watershed, which was amazing. I believe it was "Heir Apparent". Their dynamics come off quite nicely live and Mikael Åkerfeldt is quite entertaining between songs. "This song is about the Devil! No, not really. Just saying it to be cool." The band proved why they are into their second decade.

Finally, the Prog Rockers themselves, Dream Theater hit the stage. While they seemed to have the crowd entranced, I found that their antics got a little boring after a while. John Petrucci proved himself as a worthy guitarist, hell, the whole band are worth musicians. The songs just ended up a little too drawn out for me. The one song they did from the album I'm most familiar with, Images and Words, seemed quite cheesy. Even my friend that I went with was quite turned off with this. James Lebrie is a good vocalist but seemed a little bored. 

After I went to the Protest The Hero, Fall Of Troy, and Chiodos a couple weeks back and then this one tonight, I am wishing that promoters would mix up the bands a little more. Fall Of Troy would have added a nice youthfulness to the Progressive Nation tour and wouldn't have taken any merit away. I'm surprised that this stop warranted two nights at the large MacEwan Hall venue.

 

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