Cellar Darling

(Folk Metal from Switzerland)

The first band to perform at ProgPower with a Hurdy-gurdy, I am told. What’s a Hurdy-Gurdy, you ask? Besides being an unfortunately named instrument, picture a violin with a hand crank. Ok… it’s a little more than that, but you get the idea. Maybe not. Here is a link. The folk metal band tore through their set and everyone ate it up. I had not listened to their material that much before this (I heard that damn Avalanche song and wondered why it wasn’t a Katy Perry song) but I enjoyed their set. I know a few people who weren’t sure if they would like it or not before hand, but came away fans.

So, do note: if you heard the Avalanche song and wrote them off, try the rest of their album. It is really good. Guess they were just trying a bit much to get a single out there to catch on. Can’t blame them…

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/cellar-darling/2018/center-stage-atlanta-ga-53e85b85.html

Oceans of Slumber

(Metal from the US)

This is one set I was really looking forward to and besides the sound being way too bass heavy, at least in the floor where I was parked, the band did a fantastic job. They played through a nice selection of highlights from their releases, including Night in White Satin, which I didn’t even realize they played due to the aforementioned sound issue. I am told by a friend who was up higher in the seats that it sounded fine there. So much for standing at the sound board.

They didn’t get all that many songs due to their length but they made the most of their time. The whole band was fantastic and Cammie poured all of her emotion into her delivery. She was very captivating.

I kept waiting for them to play my favorite song from their latest album, the title track The Banished Heart, and they saved it for last. I was watching the clock and knew they didn’t have enough time but hoped they would be able to finish it…. they did not. It was an abbreviated version. Ended about 3 minutes in. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

I had gotten to meet them the day before in the signing line and got pictures with each member individually, but after their set, they came out to the vendor tables and were gracious enough to do a whole band pose. Very nice people.

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/oceans-of-slumber/2018/center-stage-atlanta-ga-7be85a78.html

Doro

(Heavy Metal from Germany)

So, full disclosure… I never really listened to Warlock before, or Doro’s solo releases for that matter. I tried listening to her latest but it just didn’t grab me. But she is so iconic, I had to give the set a shot. And when I had heard months ago that Chris Caffery was going to be playing guitar, my excitement when up a notch. But then a week or so before the fest, it was announced that Chris couldn’t make it. His replacement was Bill Hudson (TSO, Circle II Circle) so my interest was still piqued.

They turned in a blistering set, even if Doro way overused one of my most hated concert cliches: “Hey! Hey! Hey!”. Literally like every couple of minutes. The songs were made up of mostly Warlock tracks, but they threw in a solo song, as well as a Judas Priest cover (Breaking the Law) and a cover of a song by Skyline (not familiar with them).

The woman can still rock.

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/doro/2018/center-stage-atlanta-ga-63e85a7b.html

Angra

(Progressive metal from Brazil)

What can I say about Angra. These guys know how to command the stage… even if it looks like Weird Al is fronting them. 😜

They started things off with a couple of tracks from the “chosen by the fans” poll before tearing into Omni. I love Omni, so I was really looking forward to this show and they did not disappoint! A blonde Adrienne Cowan of Seven Spires came on for Black Widow’s Web for the growls/screams and did a great job of it (It was Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy on the album version). Later in the set, Angra even threw in a nice little drum solo to boot.

Once they finished with the Omni part, they ripped back into the fan picked set and brought out Doro to sing on Crushing Room. And, yep… more “Hey! Hey!”… sigh… it was a cool addition.

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/angra/2018/center-stage-atlanta-ga-43e85b87.html

Well… that was Day Two in the books! I’m showing a little wear at this point and once again had to head home to try to get some sleep as I had to be in earlier than usual for Day Three to get my Sponsor badge.

Up next, Day Three.

Cellar Darling

Cellar Darling

Oceans of Slumber

Oceans of Slumber

Doro

Doro

Angra

Angra