Three, Between the Buried and ME, Opeth and Dream Theater (Progressive Nation Tour)

I hate writing reviews. So, instead, I'll just leave this for other people to chime in.

I missed Three. Saw last 3 songs of BTBAM

BTBAM was pretty good. Aside from the not so good sound (hi hat was way too loud for them and opeth), I was intrigued by what I saw on stage. Didn't care for the bass player but the drummer and guitar players were pretty talented kids.

Opeth: Ok. this was the first time I saw them. Great musicians. New drummer was top notch for their kind of music. New guitar player seemed pretty damn good too. In all, the band was solid as hell.

But, for me, I won't pay to see them again. Lifeless stage presence. I get it, it's not supposed to be all smiles and stuff but I'm not all for the robot, lifeless look on the drummer and minimal movement. I was warned and I see what that person meant. Their new material sounded interesting. I'll pick up the CD.

Do they do those breakdown parts just to give the drummer a rest? lol. After awhile, structures all sounded the same. I wanted to hear Deliverance but I'll just buy their DVD for that.

Dream Theater:

They never stop amazing me. This was show number 11 and it was, by far the best sounding show I've seen since 98. Everything was clear. Acrylic drums sounded amazing. You could hear all the leads, bass and the vocals were sitting very well.

They are true masters of showmanship for their genre. There's nothing wrong with smiling on stage and goofing off. The light show was huge for the smaller venue. They must have put in some thought when deciding how to present themselves on this tour. Gave the crowd a great show.

They played a good mix of songs. Encore was a medley with the main part being Metropolis with a guitar/keytar duel. Done really well.

The band still has it. I'm sorry if I'm being too much of a fan but I was expecting less and was proven wrong.

Would be interested to hear some other opinions. \m/

Agreed on the smiles. I'm a total goofer-offer on stage, so I'm all for it. Good to hear they were on their game.

Even the stinkbomb I dropped during Opeth's set at the Quest years ago couldn't give 'em stage presence! Yeah, it made for good rock talk between songs, but Mike and gang's feet were firmly glued to the X's taped to the stage.

You were the one who warned me. lol (in dying anakin skywalker voice) 'you were riiiiight'

It was funny because on the last song, the new guitar player when over and played by the bass player. It was a minimal move but he probably got yelled at after the show.

 This show was fantastic!  Historically, I have not been a DT fan...however, I got their last album based on a recommendation from someone whom I tend to have the same musical taste as, and I liked it.  I still hate, hate, hate the singer...he blows, but the music is pretty kickass.  I enjoyed their set, but again, I was pretty annoyed by the singer...I seriously can't believe that they keep putting albums with that guy as the singer.  If they got a new singer that kicked as much ass as they do, that would be the best.

Opeth was good, but I wasn't a fan of the songs they chose to play....they could've picked better songs IMO.  I still enjoyed their set a lot, just sayin.

I was pretty impressed with Between the Buried and Me.  I'm not a big fan of the type of metal they play, but live is a whole different story for me.  When they busted out the countriesh blue grass thing I was pretty blown away. 

I missed 3 because I opted to stop at buffalo wild wings and get some wings and beers before the show.  I'm confident I made the right choice. ;)

Newman:

I seriously can't believe that they keep putting albums with that guy as the singer.  If they got a new singer that kicked as much ass as they do, that would be the best.

Yeah. But that can't happen. Guys are on the tail end of their career and seriously, who are they gonna find to fill that role? I dug James on the earlier stuff but I've also said he doesn't fit the newer, heavier stuff.

What's funny is that the sound was so good, the vocals were clear and in your face (the way you'd want 'em to be). But...it is James Labrie. LOL

I read the band did a show in LA back in 98. James was really sick and couldn't sing. Rather than cancelling, the band decided to do a full show of instrumentals. That's cool.

daryllh:

I read the band did a show in LA back in 98. James was really sick and couldn't sing. Rather than cancelling, the band decided to do a full show of instrumentals. That's cool.

Guaranteed best performance that they have ever done.  I can say that confidently even though I didn't see it.  If he was out, they'd be better.

I just want to know how you saw BTBAM last 3 songs when they only played 2?! HAR!

Three bored me, not really to my liking... so I sat down after watching one song.

BTBAM bored me as well... but they started to sound a little better during their last few minutes.

Opeth were good times, I just wish they would've played a few different songs... was hoping to hear The Lotus Eater, but that will have to wait for their headlining run.  The set was still pretty decent, and I enjoyed it.

Dream Theater were great!  It was nice to finally see them up close.  Petrucci is a beast!  Although I would've enjoyed a bit different set list, I got a tad bored in the middle there, the songs they chose ehhhhh but at least they played Forsaken.

All in all, it was a pretty good show and I had a fun time.  But I did find it kind of stupid that they didn't allow photos to be taken...

 three was good. i enjoyed the duelling cymbals between their drummer and percussionist/ keyboardist. the sweater vest by the guitarist gave him the 'librarian' look. funny. i really dug the singer's pickless guitar playing, i can't say i've seen anyone play like that before, though they're out there.

BTBAM bored the hell out of me. someone got it right, they're talented kids. and the singer reminded me of an old singer Bobby Walter.

Opeth sounded like the CD, and with all the flashing crowd lights, i could have shut my eyes and enjoyed them more.

DT: i haven't really been a fan of them, and my last experience seeing them was at the State Theater, and all i heard was Jordan's keys in my ear. i really liked their mix on Monday and everyone was on, save for their singer on the top end... and John Myung actually moves! i thought i saw him crack a smile too, maybe i was dreaming.

Hmm, I need more information in regards to Portnoy's Al Jefferson jersey. Does he do that in most cities (wear a jersey of a local team), or does he genuinely like him as a player? These are the important issues that make up the fabric of my life.

I remember initially cheering when I saw Ice Cube live and he came out sporting a John Randle jersey about ten years ago. Then I thought about it, and it seemed like he might have done that as a cheap pop from the hometown crowd. But I am a cynic, so....

Gordabega:

and John Myung actually moves! i thought i saw him crack a smile too, maybe i was dreaming.

LOL. what's funny is that on the video from 93, he's all around the stage. then, for the next 10 years, he's quiet and reserved as hell. last 4 years, he's been looking like he's having a good time again. On the Score DVD, he and john hold down root notes of each other's instruments during a couple songs. Monday, he was all 'rock star' with his Metropolis bass tap solo. Funny stuff. Guy's a damn good bass player.

I really liked Opeth's backup vocals. Does the keyboard player do them on the albums as well?

Gary Carter:

Hmm, I need more information in regards to Portnoy's Al Jefferson jersey. Does he do that in most cities (wear a jersey of a local team), or does he genuinely like him as a player? These are the important issues that make up the fabric of my life.

I remember initially cheering when I saw Ice Cube live and he came out sporting a John Randle jersey about ten years ago. Then I thought about it, and it seemed like he might have done that as a cheap pop from the hometown crowd. But I am a cynic, so....

 

He tends to pull out a home town basketball jersey for the encores. He's done KG (show right after the bridge collapse). Actually, up until the last year, he's always wore the KG jersey.

That's cool. Wonder what he rocked on the Images and Words tour?

Doug West? Thurl Bailey? Felton Spencer? Luc Longley? Chuck Person? Christian Laettener?

Man, that's some slim pickins there.

back then he was strictly black unitard. ewwww