Progressive Nation 3008 Show review

[Interviewer/surveyer]

It'd be an understatement to say I've been counting down the days for this show for six months.

After seeing Lamb of God and Killswitch Engage in December and being totally tired of them as bands and also of concerts in General (I went to 19 concerts in 11 months), I decided to take a break and wait for something good to come along.

This tour was that something. So needless to say I was pretty pumped to see all these bands, I saw DT last year, and just have recently started listening to BTBAM (although I don't like them too much). I was most excited to see Opeth for the first time.

Anyways, the band "Three" opened the show up, and although I was skeptical about how good this band was, they put on easily THE BEST 30 MINUTES OF THE CONCERT. They were great, they had two drummers, a classically trained guitarist who play acoustic for almost the entire set, and they had a great live energy. All around, the best opening act I've yet seen.

Fast forward to Between the Buried and Me. This concert was important for me and this bands relationship, because up to this point, I semi-enjoyed their stuff, but needed to see them live to see which way I would sway with this band. Lets just say I probably should throw away "Alaska" and plan on not getting any other of their cd's. First off, they never impressed me that much musically, and they were a HUGE borefest live. If you think Dream Theatre likes to fall asleep onstage, watch these guys. They connected all of their songs too, so their was no bantering to the crowd from their lead vocalist, which is probably a good thing because if he's that bad of a singer and frontman, I don't really care what he has to say. VERY disappointed by these guys.

So, onto Opeth. They started their set with "Master's Apprentice", which was fine, I probably could've picked 12-15 better opening numbers they could've done, but it was still cool. They followed that up with "Baying of the Hounds", one of Opeth's better more musically sound tracks. After that though, they took a huge dive. Now, I'm a huge fan of Opeth's softer songs, but "In My Time of Need" isn't up there in my top 10 even, and that kind of bored me. The next track, "Wreath" I thought was an okay choice, but like Masters Apprentice isn't one of their best heavy songs. From there was "Heir Apparent" which sounded great and I'm excited to hear on disc, I'll probably enjoy this song a lot. To close out they played "Drapery Falls" one of, if not their best song, but they didn't do an encore. So....six songs, two from Deliverance...very disappointed. I really think they had a weak setlist, and although I like Drapery Falls, I really think they could've played anything else instead of what they played and I wouldn't have cared. No Advent, No April Ethereal, Demon of the Fall, The Moor, Godheads Lament, Benighted, Face of Melinda, Leper Affinitey, Bleak, Windowpane, Deliverance, Death Whispered a Lulliby, Ghost Perdition, or the Grand Conjuration. But, when you have only SIX songs to play, you're not gonna please everyone, and I'm very happy I got to see Mikeal and had a great time watching them. I must add that Mikeal is great at crowd banter, probably the best I've seen, he just seemed so relaxed.

Dream Theater was great, they played Fatal Tragedy and Metropolis so I couldn't complain. Although I think that Petrucci missed one note in the solo of Fatal Tragedy so that pretty much ruined the show. The worst part of the show (and the funniest) was Labrie grabbing a tambourine and rocking out during a song, but nobody could hear the tambourine. I also threw an empty bottle of "Just for Men" gel onstage and he flipped out. Anyways, they were good, and they actually moved around a little more this time from the last time.


All in all, a little disappointed, but still a great show, and I'm looking forward to seeing Opeth headlining in September, hopefully they'll play more than six songs. :)

On a side note, I was chatting with the lead singer/classical guitar player of Three and he said something about opening up for Opeth on that tour, so...another good reason to go.

[RiceMonster]

tl;dr

[DanD]

so much text so little care

[adb]

do not want

[Pebster49]

BTBAM was great when I saw them, everyone started yelling out "WHITE WALLS!" at the end, they played both "Ants in the Sky" too. "In my time of Need" is an awesome song too, everyone also sung along to. I think you were just a bad crowd...

[Apocalyptic Raids]

Although I think that Petrucci missed one note in the solo of Fatal Tragedy so that pretty much ruined the show.
lol

[Skyler]

Three is lame as hell

[Bfhurricane]

Sounds like it was good. Im going to this show in a week.

[guitrguy]

Is the tour they do 1000 years into the future?

[pate]

Yes. Petrucci sets the year and then plays alternate picked runs at a certain speed to progress through time at the desired rate.

[Dimmu Burger]

Lol I'm pumped for PN 3008.

Three was amazing all 3 times that I saw them as well. Their album Wake Pig is brilliant.

[Interviewer/surveyer]

yeah, three was great. I wish I could say the same for BTBAM.

[ghettoeddo]

disappointing b/c im pretty pumped to see BTBAM...

but i enjoy all 4 bands immensely so just counting down the days...

[Jody LeCompte]

Joey Eppard isn't actually classically trained, but he's still a damn good guitarist.

Check out his solo album.

[Eliminator]

3 were surprisingly good, besides maybe the vocalist

btbam were good too but they only played two songs

dream theater were terrible, as i expected

[Shattered_Future]

5 days for me.

I think I'm the only one excited for Master's Apprentices. :p

3 are also fantastic live. Can't wait to see them a third time.

[Eliminator]

i wasnt excited for master's apprentices but it cruushhes live

[Jody LeCompte]

btbam were good too but they only played two songs

So like, an hour and a half set?

[dinosaurxbrocore]

btbams robot vocals will be even more sikk when the legions of reptilians take over the world with their cyborg clones

[Eliminator]

keep trying

[132WalrusesInMexico]

Opeth was the best. 3 was amazing. BTBAM was okay. Dream Theater was a stupidly long borefest. I wanted to stab LaBrie in the face.

[Eliminator]

everyone in dream theater is a massive faggot

[Interviewer/surveyer]

Opeth was the best. 3 was amazing. BTBAM was okay. Dream Theater was a stupidly long borefest. I wanted to stab LaBrie in the face.

I knew you were there! In Detroit, right??!? Hey, I'm moving to Kalamzoo in 2 months!

You may not remember me, I talked to you a ways back. I live in Lansing right now.

[ghettoeddo]

i hate all of you.

interviewer...you have 666 posts. although by the time you see this, it wont be.

[dinosaurxbrocore]

keep trying

**** you nick :(

[McP3000]

DT is so good, but i see them being boring live

[Pete]

*Mikael

[ghettoeddo]

DT is so good, but i see them being boring live

they've gotten much better from their ToT days...haha

[Interviewer/surveyer]

i hate all of you.

interviewer...you have 666 posts. although by the time you see this, it wont be.

thanks for the heads up...I guess. Im alive so, cool.

[132WalrusesInMexico]

I knew you were there! In Detroit, right??!? Hey, I'm moving to Kalamzoo in 2 months!

You may not remember me, I talked to you a ways back. I live in Lansing right now.
Yeah, I remember you. Kalamazoo is pretty cool. I live there during the school year.

Were you on the floor for Prog Nation?

[pate]

Were you on the floor for Prog Nation?

Asleep? Probably.

[132WalrusesInMexico]

Asleep? Probably.
Hahaha

Honestly the only band that I would have slept through was Dream Theater. Especially in Detroit; they had the crappiest set list.

Why is Mike Portnoy's drum kit so gigantic? Is that necessary?

[pate]

Penile compensation

[ghettoeddo]

Hahaha

Honestly the only band that I would have slept through was Dream Theater. Especially in Detroit; they had the crappiest set list.

Why is Mike Portnoy's drum kit so gigantic? Is that necessary?

no it isn't necessary, but if you want a bigger range of sounds, i don't see why not

i know nothing about drums.

[132WalrusesInMexico]

no it isn't necessary, but if you want a bigger range of sounds, i don't see why not

i know nothing about drums.
Yeah, neither do I. I just think his drum set is more for show than anything. I guess it is pretty cool how fvcking massive that thing is.

[Eliminator]

i entertained myself during Dream Theater's set by picking grass and watching drunks

[Interviewer/surveyer]

Yeah, I remember you. Kalamazoo is pretty cool. I live there during the school year.

Were you on the floor for Prog Nation?

only for 3. The rest of the bands i was just above the floor off to the right side if facing the stage.

[Interviewer/surveyer]

Hahaha

Honestly the only band that I would have slept through was Dream Theater. Especially in Detroit; they had the crappiest set list.

Why is Mike Portnoy's drum kit so gigantic? Is that necessary?

honestly, I love Portnoy's live presence, he's great and if not for him, they'd be an even greater borefest live, but hes not the best prog drummer out there. I just got a Planet X cd today in the mail and Virgil Donati>Mike Portnoy by a mile.

[ghettoeddo]

honestly, I love Portnoy's live presence, he's great and if not for him, they'd be an even greater borefest live, but hes not the best prog drummer out there. I just got a Planet X cd today in the mail and Virgil Donati>Mike Portnoy by a mile.

i think he was really good back in the day when they were younger but i do agree that his drumming is a little stale now and just rehashed from older material.

[idspispopd]

Have you heard Dog Boots by Planet X? Virgil Donati can be kind of ridiculous.

I'm more of a Portnoy fan presonally. I saw him with Petrucci in G307 and he totally brought the set to life.

[ghettoeddo]

ugh speaking of G3, remind me never to go again unless they 1) shorten the jams at the end or 2) get a more varied lineup

[132WalrusesInMexico]

only for 3. The rest of the bands i was just above the floor off to the right side if facing the stage.
Wow... that is exactly where I was. I was in the second row of seats on the balcony.

[pate]

ugh speaking of G3, remind me never to go again unless they 1) shorten the jams at the end or 2) get a more varied lineup

What did you expect?

[ghettoeddo]

What did you expect?

i had a G3 DVD which features like 2-3 songs from ea. person but the actual show involves like 6-7.

the show was 4-5 hours long; just too much and i love pointless showing off.

[pate]

You thought each person would get 20 minutes?? :lol: :lol:

[idspispopd]

The jams at the end were my favorite part! Maybe you're just not cut out for that style of concert

[ghettoeddo]

The jams at the end were my favorite part! Maybe you're just not cut out for that style of concert

i love self-indulgent wankery more than most ppl on this forum, but man those end jams were too much. it was like an hour long.

two more days till prog nation :]

[Interviewer/surveyer]

Wow... that is exactly where I was. I was in the second row of seats on the balcony.
dude, awesome. Wait, what do you look like maybe I remember you.
I was standing on the second section uprising against the third section with my back against it, with my sister, her boyfriend, and my best friend directly above me on the third section. There were two guys to my right on the third section in jeans that looked like they were gay and dating. I was wearing a Dimebag Darrel shirt,brown hair, cutoff brown shorts, and a ghote.

[Dimmu Burger]

I was the guys screaming "Slayerr!!!! Mother F*cking Slayerrrrrr!!!"

[Interviewer/surveyer]

I was the guys screaming "Slayerr!!!! Mother F*cking Slayerrrrrr!!!"

oh god, you're that guy....

seriously, I've had people yelling slayer at probably 64% of the concerts I've been to, and I've only seen Slayer once. What is the deal, I mean, they're great live, but why yell Slayer?

[Dimmu Burger]

I'm just kidding, but we had fun making fun of that guy at the Behemoth show.

[pate]

oh god, you're that guy....

seriously, I've had people yelling slayer at probably 64% of the concerts I've been to, and I've only seen Slayer once. What is the deal, I mean, they're great live, but why yell Slayer?

100% of shows I've been to

Never seen Slayer

[bringonthebreakdown]

personally, i'm that guy that yells free bird.

[Dimmu Burger]

I don't really yell at shows. I just enjoy.

[pate]

I yell "Shut the **** up" at people who yell things.

[DanD]

i do a little dance



make a little love




get down tonight




EDIT: also G3 sucked ***

[Shattered_Future]

I yell "TOWEL GUY!" at any chance I get when there's a towel guy.

Opeth 2006 taught me that.

[Interviewer/surveyer]

100% of shows I've been to

Never seen Slayer

are you saying "Slayer" has been yelled at %100 percent of shows you've been to, and none of those shows actually involved Slayer?! lol

[132WalrusesInMexico]

dude, awesome. Wait, what do you look like maybe I remember you.
I was standing on the second section uprising against the third section with my back against it, with my sister, her boyfriend, and my best friend directly above me on the third section. There were two guys to my right on the third section in jeans that looked like they were gay and dating. I was wearing a Dimebag Darrel shirt,brown hair, cutoff brown shorts, and a ghote.
I was with three other guys. One is really douchey looking. I have longish brown hair.

At first I was wearing a Fear of a Blank Planet shirt, but then I bought an Opeth shirt. Also, I was wearing my fancy work pants. They're khakis.

I just realized that this description probably fits like 75% of the people there.

[Eliminator]

um whats the point of going to shows if u arent going to yell like theres music or something wtf


opeth shirts are a ****ing ripoff
seriously $35 wtf

[132WalrusesInMexico]

Yeah I know. Mine already has a tear in it. I'm pissed.

[interviewer02]

I was with three other guys. One is really douchey looking. I have longish brown hair.

At first I was wearing a Fear of a Blank Planet shirt, but then I bought an Opeth shirt. Also, I was wearing my fancy work pants. They're khakis.

I just realized that this description probably fits like 75% of the people there.

I saw you. Almost positive. I remember seeing someone with that shirt. And I don't think there was more than one person wearing that shirt there. Cool.

[132WalrusesInMexico]

I saw like 4 or 5 people wearing FOABP tour shirts. Mine has the album art on it. Most of the ones I saw had a big pill on them.

[Dimmu Burger]

You know Porcupine Tree will be on next year's Prog Nation, if they do one. I mean who else could they have?

[132WalrusesInMexico]

That would be awesome. They should take DT's spot.

[ghettoeddo]

went to last night's show in NY...flippin amazing.

3 is not to be missed. dont make the mistake of showing up late
BTBAM was a huge disappointment.
opeth was awesome as expected
as was DT. dark nintendo night is the best thing ever and their intro is epic

was great except for some stupid kids slam dancing.

[static]

this show would be better without opeth and dt

[dinosaurxbrocore]

or just without dt

[pate]

It would be better if people would congregate and sit for 5 hours in silence, and then leave.

[ghettoeddo]

the only difference b/w opeth and DT's stage presence is...

nothing.
the video show for their concerts is amazing--especially w/ dark nintendo night this time around.

i hope 3 comes back next year

[Eliminator]

different between opeth and dt's stage presence is...

opeth aren't massive douchebags

[Interviewer/surveyer]

different between opeth and dt's stage presence is...

opeth aren't massive douchebags

The difference between Opeth and DT onstage is everyone in DT is epic, you should know them by first name, and Opeth has a main man that does almost everything for the band, 1 decent bassist, and 3 other guys I don't care to know about. Opeth and DT about the same amount of "I'm really tired and I want this show to get over with" onstage, but Opeth is slightly better at rocking out live, plus Alkerfeldt>Labrie by a mile when it comes to between song crowd banter. I dunno, I liked them both, but DT just seems much more epic onstage, and thats probably due to the fact that Opeth lost 2 of its key guys recently.

[Dimmu Burger]

Yeah they should do it again next year without Dream Theater. lol

[Eliminator]

wait people actually consider a bunch of flashing lights and background images "epic"?

[DanD]

no petrucci's dragon or flame shirts are epic

[kattunlover69]

wait people actually consider a bunch of flashing lights and background images "epic"?

if it adds to the ambiance of the music then yes it can be epic

[Deth]

ITT people mistake 'epic' for 'mildly interesting'.

[kattunlover69]

wdf is itt

[interviewer02]

wait people actually consider a bunch of flashing lights and background images "epic"?

actually, some people do, but I don't, and you were responding to what I said.

I actually think that bands that have to rely on a good light show and/or background images to be good aren't good. (didn't word that sentence very well, but you get the point)

I mean that Dream Theater(although you might argue whether or not they're good) has epic, well known members. Myung is a well respected bassist, Portnoy is one of the pioneers of progressive drumming(although not the best) Petrucci is well...Petrucci, and Rudess is known amongst keyboardists as one of the best. Whether or not you like them, and the fact that they for the most part have a bad stage presence isn't factoring into the point I'm making.

Its like seeing Metallica live. You might not like the band too much, but I'm sure you know all their names, and it'd be cool to see them in person. For example, I'm not a huge Gwen Stephani fan, but it'd be cool to see live.

Opeth on the other hand, has Mikeal Akerfeldt, and hes the only one on the stage who has that persona. That was my argument.

[ghettoeddo]

if you thought DT was boring, BTBAM is much much worse

[Siberian Dreamer]

BTBAM pissed me off at Dillinger. How is it a good idea for a support band to play basically one 35 minute song from the new album then Mordecai? Yes it's very impressive, but people want something from Alaska and this won't win over new people.
Could be worse, though... could be Iron Maiden playing the whole of AMOLAD live then pumping out some overplayed hits.

[132WalrusesInMexico]

I saw Maiden on that tour...

I used to be really into them, now I think they're kind of lame. I like Powerslave and Piece of Mind a lot.

[Shattered_Future]

Show was good last night, even though I slammed my head really hard against the ground when I slipped in a pit.

Missed the first song by 3 because our bus got in later than expected. No matter. I heard everything they played already at another one of their shows, so it was nothing new. Still good though.

BTBAM surprised me. I was expecting more hardcore and less "other" influences, but I got the opposite. There was a satisfying lack of chug aside from a few moments. Not really something I'd listen to on my own, but they were a lot better than other stuff I've seen.

Opeth was IMMENSE, even if they didn't play Master's Apprentices. :mad:
They botched the ending to their first song, which is really pissing me off that I don't know it, because I've heard it. Then Mike went, "see, when we **** up, it makes it more UNIQUE." They had badass sound, great setlist, crowd went nuts...they get better and better everytime I see them live.

And then DT was great too. Played a bunch of stuff that I wanted to hear...Beyond This Live, Take The Time, Repentance (complete with Akerfeldt ****ing up again, this time in the form of a shut-off mic), and bits of Octavarium and In The Name Of God in their ending medley.

I'm quite glad I decided to go to this instead of Paganfest. :D

[ghettoeddo]

BAH you got repentance...i wish i stayed for the 2nd day.

[Shattered_Future]

What did you get on the first day?

[132WalrusesInMexico]

Show was good last night, even though I slammed my head really hard against the ground when I slipped in a pit.

Missed the first song by 3 because our bus got in later than expected. No matter. I heard everything they played already at another one of their shows, so it was nothing new. Still good though.

BTBAM surprised me. I was expecting more hardcore and less "other" influences, but I got the opposite. There was a satisfying lack of chug aside from a few moments. Not really something I'd listen to on my own, but they were a lot better than other stuff I've seen.

Opeth was IMMENSE, even if they didn't play Master's Apprentices. :mad:
They botched the ending to their first song, which is really pissing me off that I don't know it, because I've heard it. Then Mike went, "see, when we **** up, it makes it more UNIQUE." They had badass sound, great setlist, crowd went nuts...they get better and better everytime I see them live.

And then DT was great too. Played a bunch of stuff that I wanted to hear...Beyond This Live, Take The Time, Repentance (complete with Akerfeldt ****ing up again, this time in the form of a shut-off mic), and bits of Octavarium and In The Name Of God in their ending medley.

I'm quite glad I decided to go to this instead of Paganfest. :D
What songs did Opeth play?

[Shattered_Future]

Something (it's really pissing me off that I don't know what this is)
Baying Of The Hounds
In My Time Of Need
Wreath
Heir Apparent
The Drapery Falls

[132WalrusesInMexico]

And you said it wasn't Master's Apprentices? That's what they've been playing with that set list.

[Eliminator]

uh yeah it was probably master's apprentices

sf is stupid

[Dimmu Burger]

BTBAM pissed me off at Dillinger. How is it a good idea for a support band to play basically one 35 minute song from the new album then Mordecai? Yes it's very impressive, but people want something from Alaska and this won't win over new people.
Could be worse, though... could be Iron Maiden playing the whole of AMOLAD live then pumping out some overplayed hits.

As cool as it would be to hear all of Colors, I would rather hear some of Alaska and tSS.

[Eliminator]

nobody said they played all of colors

[pate]

actually, some people do, but I don't, and you were responding to what I said.

I actually think that bands that have to rely on a good light show and/or background images to be good aren't good. (didn't word that sentence very well, but you get the point)

I mean that Dream Theater(although you might argue whether or not they're good) has epic, well known members. Myung is a well respected bassist, Portnoy is one of the pioneers of progressive drumming(although not the best) Petrucci is well...Petrucci, and Rudess is known amongst keyboardists as one of the best. Whether or not you like them, and the fact that they for the most part have a bad stage presence isn't factoring into the point I'm making.

Its like seeing Metallica live. You might not like the band too much, but I'm sure you know all their names, and it'd be cool to see them in person. For example, I'm not a huge Gwen Stephani fan, but it'd be cool to see live.

Opeth on the other hand, has Mikeal Akerfeldt, and hes the only one on the stage who has that persona. That was my argument.

NSYNC is epic live omg everybody knows all the members it's so EPIC

[Dimmu Burger]

Ok, it would be cool to hear a lot of stuff from Colors, but I would rather hear some songs from Alaska and tSS.

[interviewer02]

NSYNC is epic live omg everybody knows all the members it's so EPIC

It's funny that people like you actually like that crap. You probably never even heard of Opeth or Dream Theater.

[Bfhurricane]

I MET MIKAEL AKERFELDT LAST NIGHT

Did I get your attention?

Yep, last night, Progressive Nation in NYC, 2nd show of the venue. Me and my buddy took the train in from NJ and caught a cab to take us to the venue, Terminal 5. As we were pulling around the back of the venue and I was talking to our driver about Indian music, my friend goes "Mikael Akerfeldt was right there having a smoke!" as we drive around the bend. So we get out immediately, run around the building, and sure enough, the legendary frontman to the infamous Opeth is right there in our midst. There he was, with a Diet Coke in one hand, a cigarette in the other, frizzled hair, flip flops, and a Conan the Barbarian shirt - it was a powerful moment indeed (there were about 3 people besides myself and my friend around him). I shook his hand and got a picture on my phone with him. The man is hilarious, the conversation went something like this:

Mikael: So, have you guys heard Watershed?

Me: No

Everybody else: Yes

Mikael: Well, it is... available... if you want. It's ok, we're used to getting ripped off anyways.

Some girl: Yeah I downloaded it, but I'm definitely buying it, it's one of those things that's so good you have to own.

Mikael: Haha, that's what I like to hear. Yeah, I don't download music.

... I actually downloaded one song in my entire life...

*we wait*

Mikael:...by Shania Twain.

Generated epic lulz. We made fun of his flip flops and he told us a little about how smashed he got the previous night after the show, then he shook all our hands and headed inside. Come on Mikael, Shania Twain?!

Ok so that was the highlight of my life, Im glad I ditched that prom afterall. So, as for the show, I'll give you a little debriefing:

3 - Awesome opener, just look at anyone else who wrote about the show on this site. Guitarist obviously flamenco trained, which was pretty freakin cool.

BTBAM - A lot of you guys criticized this band, and I think they heard your criticism. It was so great, much better than I anticipated. Tommy introduced the band as Between the Buried and Me, and within 5 seconds they started the intro to Selkies: The Endless Obsession. Holy Crap. Im almost positive they havent played this song on the tour, everyone has been bitching about how they only play Ants of the Sky and White Walls. We got Selkies, Prequel To The Sequel, Viridian, and White Walls. **** yes, it was amazing.

Opeth - Pretty much amazing. I believe instead of playing To Rid The Disease like the night before, they replaced that with In My Time Of Need. Mikael had one hilarious aside:

Mikael - So last night after the show, me and the band got a little tipsy at a bar, and people there were paying me dollars to eat spoonfulls of hot peppers. And my *** doesn't feel right today.

They ended with The Draper Falls, which was so far the best performance of the night, right ahead of Selkies by BTBAM. However, Dream Theater managed to top both of those.

Dream Theater - One of my all time favorite bands and easily the best of the night. According to VicariousIntent's list on the front page, they played a different setlist than that one. They opened with In The Presence Of Enemies, Pt. 1., then Beyound This Life off of SFAM, Forsaken, Erotomania, and then the highlight of the night. I haven't seen this written in any reviews thus far on the tour, so it must have been the first time. James Labrie disappears off the stage, and Mikael Akerfeldt comes on with a microphone during Repentance (off of Systematic Chaos). He starts singing, and the microphone appears to be broken. The crowd is cheering and jeering and yelling and laughing all at the same time, while Mikael is shaking the thing and making funny faces at the crowd like he doesn't know what to do. This goes on for about 3 minutes. Then a tech guy runs on stage, grabs the microphone, hits the "ON" button, then runs off, which resulted in a multitude of devil horns and applause. Mikael finished the song for Dream Theater and retreated off stage. Epic.

I had to leave right after that to make the train home, missing the latter half of DT's setlist. But I met Mikael Akerfeldt and saw what might have been the best night of music in my life.

This is my journal post from my profile on the music review section, I just copied it.

[Eliminator]

okay wtf why do you get a good btbam setlist

cunt

[Dimmu Burger]

It's funny that people like you actually like that crap. You probably never even heard of Opeth or Dream Theater.

Lol uh oh, brace for impact!

[interviewer02]

I MET MIKAEL AKERFELDT LAST NIGHT

Did I get your attention?

Yep, last night, Progressive Nation in NYC, 2nd show of the venue. Me and my buddy took the train in from NJ and caught a cab to take us to the venue, Terminal 5. As we were pulling around the back of the venue and I was talking to our driver about Indian music, my friend goes "Mikael Akerfeldt was right there having a smoke!" as we drive around the bend. So we get out immediately, run around the building, and sure enough, the legendary frontman to the infamous Opeth is right there in our midst. There he was, with a Diet Coke in one hand, a cigarette in the other, frizzled hair, flip flops, and a Conan the Barbarian shirt - it was a powerful moment indeed (there were about 3 people besides myself and my friend around him). I shook his hand and got a picture on my phone with him. The man is hilarious, the conversation went something like this:

Mikael: So, have you guys heard Watershed?

Me: No

Everybody else: Yes

Mikael: Well, it is... available... if you want. It's ok, we're used to getting ripped off anyways.

Some girl: Yeah I downloaded it, but I'm definitely buying it, it's one of those things that's so good you have to own.

Mikael: Haha, that's what I like to hear. Yeah, I don't download music.

... I actually downloaded one song in my entire life...

*we wait*

Mikael:...by Shania Twain.

Generated epic lulz. We made fun of his flip flops and he told us a little about how smashed he got the previous night after the show, then he shook all our hands and headed inside. Come on Mikael, Shania Twain?!

Ok so that was the highlight of my life, Im glad I ditched that prom afterall. So, as for the show, I'll give you a little debriefing:

3 - Awesome opener, just look at anyone else who wrote about the show on this site. Guitarist obviously flamenco trained, which was pretty freakin cool.

BTBAM - A lot of you guys criticized this band, and I think they heard your criticism. It was so great, much better than I anticipated. Tommy introduced the band as Between the Buried and Me, and within 5 seconds they started the intro to Selkies: The Endless Obsession. Holy Crap. Im almost positive they havent played this song on the tour, everyone has been bitching about how they only play Ants of the Sky and White Walls. We got Selkies, Prequel To The Sequel, Viridian, and White Walls. **** yes, it was amazing.

Opeth - Pretty much amazing. I believe instead of playing To Rid The Disease like the night before, they replaced that with In My Time Of Need. Mikael had one hilarious aside:

Mikael - So last night after the show, me and the band got a little tipsy at a bar, and people there were paying me dollars to eat spoonfulls of hot peppers. And my *** doesn't feel right today.

They ended with The Draper Falls, which was so far the best performance of the night, right ahead of Selkies by BTBAM. However, Dream Theater managed to top both of those.

Dream Theater - One of my all time favorite bands and easily the best of the night. According to VicariousIntent's list on the front page, they played a different setlist than that one. They opened with In The Presence Of Enemies, Pt. 1., then Beyound This Life off of SFAM, Forsaken, Erotomania, and then the highlight of the night. I haven't seen this written in any reviews thus far on the tour, so it must have been the first time. James Labrie disappears off the stage, and Mikael Akerfeldt comes on with a microphone during Repentance (off of Systematic Chaos). He starts singing, and the microphone appears to be broken. The crowd is cheering and jeering and yelling and laughing all at the same time, while Mikael is shaking the thing and making funny faces at the crowd like he doesn't know what to do. This goes on for about 3 minutes. Then a tech guy runs on stage, grabs the microphone, hits the "ON" button, then runs off, which resulted in a multitude of devil horns and applause. Mikael finished the song for Dream Theater and retreated off stage. Epic.

I had to leave right after that to make the train home, missing the latter half of DT's setlist. But I met Mikael Akerfeldt and saw what might have been the best night of music in my life.

This is my journal post from my profile on the music review, I just copied it.
cool that you met Akerfeldt. Lucky bastard.

[Dimmu Burger]

cool that you met Akerfeldt. Lucky bastard.

Hey are you Interviewer/Surveyer?

[interviewer02]

Hey are you Interviewer/Surveyer?

yeah.

[Dimmu Burger]

I guess you didn't get that name change you wanted.

[Bfhurricane]

cool that you met Akerfeldt. Lucky bastard.

Talk about luck - I wouldnt have met him if my friend hadnt been looking out the right side of the window during the split second we past him. Ill try to upload that picture I got with him from my phone, I just need a computer with bluetooth...

[Shattered_Future]

uh yeah it was probably master's apprentices

sf is stupid

Maybe, but I've been listening to Master's Apprentices ever since I started listening to Opeth about 3 years ago. And I can tell you that they didn't play it last night.

[pate]

It's funny that people like you actually like that crap. You probably never even heard of Opeth or Dream Theater.

faggot

[interviewer02]

I guess you didn't get that name change you wanted.

no, but this will work for now. I was getting pretty frustrated when I couldn't even respond to criticism of my own reviews. Now, I can.

[interviewer02]

large bundle of sticks

what is this, amateur hour?

[Faggor]

possibly

[Dimmu Burger]

what is this, amateur hour?

Don't ef with Pate, he'll ef you up with his metal yawn!

[pate]

Tru dat

[Interviewer/surveyer]

So yeah, Opeth's coming back around in September, and Three could be opening up for them once again (at least thats what their lead singer told me). Who else do you guys think they'll put on the bill?

[pate]

Iron Maiden

[Dimmu Burger]

So yeah, Opeth's coming back around in September, and Three could be opening up for them once again (at least thats what their lead singer told me). Who else do you guys think they'll put on the bill?

Probably nobody so they can play more than 5 songs.

[Interviewer/surveyer]

Probably nobody so they can play more than 5 songs.

yeah, true. Well, they need one more band, and If Opeth headlines that automatically puts them around 10 songs or so, right? How about Protest the Hero, or Necrophagist.lol

[Eliminator]

how about a band that doesn't suck

[interviewer02]

I love balls smacking against my butt.

whatever you choose to do with your free time.

[pate]

What makes you think there will be a Progressive Nation 2?

Did anyone in '85 think there would be a World Slavery Tour 2?

It's just a spiffy name for Dream Theater's current tour.

[interviewer02]

What makes you think there will be a Progressive Nation 2?

Did anyone in '85 think there would be a World Slavery Tour 2?

It's just a spiffy name for Dream Theater's current tour.

Did I ever say anything about a Progressive Nation 2 tour?

I, unlike you Pate, can put 2 and 2 together. Opeth is going on tour again in September. And I talked to the lead vocalist of 3 in person and he said its a possibility that they could be touring with Opeth in the fall.

Honestly, I'd love to see Opeth headline, they're not a supporting act in my eyes. 6 songs just isn't enough, and I bet thats something both you and I can agree on.

[pate]

Somebody was talking about a Progressive Nation 2. I never said I was talking to you.

[Dimmu Burger]

yeah, true. Well, they need one more band, and If Opeth headlines that automatically puts them around 10 songs or so, right? How about Protest the Hero, or Necrophagist.lol

How about both? I'd pay top dolla for that!

[interviewer02]

How about both? I'd pay top dolla for that!

I definitely would too. I'm leaning towards going to the Mastodon-Slipknot tour in August, but honestly, it's really not going to be that great. I just can't find a festival show this summer to replace Ozzfest.(not saying that's hard to do, Ozzfest blew last year)

[Dimmu Burger]

I wish they did a Sounds Of The Underground this year. That is a good tour usually.

Thrash and Rash or whatever it's called is good and Summer Slaughter.

[interviewer02]

I wish they did a Sounds Of The Underground this year. That is a good tour usually.

Thrash and Rash or whatever it's called is good and Summer Slaughter.

yeah, Summer Slaughter had a decent lineup last year, but I passed it up.

Honestly, this Mayhem tour isn't that great. Five Finger Death Punch(or whatever they're called) is quite possibly the worst, most cliche'd bad metal band ever, and everytime I hear/see them I am more convinced they are a joke, like a serious joke. Underoath and a few other "only cool if you're 15" metal bands are there, and Dragonforce, which yeah, they roll dice.

[Dimmu Burger]

Oh good I'm not the only one who hates FFDP with a passion! He can't sing for balls and his screams are all like "I'm pissed off!! Oh crap I'm so effin angry!!".

[interviewer02]

Oh good I'm not the only one who hates FFDP with a passion! He can't sing for balls and his screams are all like "I'm pissed off!! Oh crap I'm so effin angry!!".

Wow, I only just now realized your name is "Burger" and not "Borgir". *sigh

Yeah, they are my current least favorite band of all time.(yeah, that makes no sense.

They have generic, boring modern metal drumming, no bass, terrible standard riffs that sound like every other scene band, and their songs are about the vocalist and his x-girlfriend. Seriously, they couldn't be more predictable, and they follow that, "heavy, hardcore pump up verse for the guys, and softer, sung choruses for the girls" format that takes their lameness to a whole new level. Seriously, if I purposely constructed a metal band as poorly as possible, they would only be slightly worse than FFDP.

[Dimmu Burger]

Wow, I only just now realized your name is "Burger" and not "Borgir". *sigh

Yeah, they are my current least favorite band of all time.(yeah, that makes no sense.

They have generic, boring modern metal drumming, no bass, terrible standard riffs that sound like every other scene band, and their songs are about the vocalist and his x-girlfriend. Seriously, they couldn't be more predictable, and they follow that, "heavy, hardcore pump up verse for the guys, and softer, sung choruses for the girls" format that takes their lameness to a whole new level. Seriously, if I purposely constructed a metal band as poorly as possible, they would only be slightly worse than FFDP.

Yeah it's the only thing I could think of once I discovered this place.

Yeah FFDP is one of the few bands that I actively hate. We should start a petition to get them to stop playing music and get jobs at McDonalds.

[interviewer02]

Yeah it's the only thing I could think of once I discovered this place.

Yeah FFDP is one of the few bands that I actively hate. We should start a petition to get them to stop playing music and get jobs at McDonalds.

Yeah, lets start a thread.

[Dimmu Burger]

You start one and i'll back you up, lol.