An Eclectic Lineup of Bands Take the Stage on Day 3 of ProgPower USA 2024

After a good night’s rest, I was refreshed and ready for my second day at ProgPower USA (PPUSA). Just like yesterday as soon as I arrived at the venue I was among familiar faces.

As soon as I stepped foot inside the performance area for the first band of the day it was an obviously larger crowd than the previous day at this time. The third and fourth days of PPUSA were sold out ticket wise ahead of time and there was already a very solid contingent of fellow metalheads on hand.

Striker was the first band to hit the stage and immediately I was taken by their high energy. Serious high energy!

Reading up on this band after the show I discovered their sound is influenced by old school thrash metal and the size of the early afternoon mosh pit was evidence just how hard these guys go at it. Now I was in my element!

Fifth Angel was up next and they kept the furious pace going. Another traditional metal band, with highly evident technical prowess, their catchy hooks and memorable choruses both engaged with and energized the crowd, myself included. 

 Another decent sized mosh pit erupted during their set and I highly enjoyed the way this day had started musically. These first two bands of the day were definitely on my radar that I needed to dig into their discographies!

Elegy, a power metal band hailing from The Netherlands, continued the action and kept the metal theme of the day going. There was certainly a wider range of musical styles the day before whereas today’s bands were more of the traditional metal style that I love so much.  

This band just reunited last year after a twenty one year hiatus, and furthering my crowd observations from yesterday (and every concert day) it was easily evident THIS was the band some of the attendees where here to see, like this was THE moment they had been waiting for since Elegy was announced last year as being included in this year’s festival.

As best as my research can tell, this was their first ever performance in the United States and again this year at PPUSA there were several bands making their debut in this continent.

Next on today’s metal menu was a tasty serving of some Swedish progressive metal with the band Soen. If today’s underlying musical theme was technicality and complexity, this band takes those two terms to the next level.

I felt like I was taken through a musical journey involving many moods as this band tries to ‘soften the blow’ at the underlying aggression behind their music.

Another theme of the day I noticed was that every band so far showcased a twin guitar attack which I love the additional layering with any band’s song construction involving two guitarists.

Like yesterday and is the norm at PPUSA, set times increase as the days go along. Time flies by so fast trying to take in all of the new sounds of bands. When there is time, one of the best parts of this event is the chance to interact in the lobby in between sets with friends new and old.

There are also interactive daily giveaways on the event’s Facebook page. Sort of a daily drop of really interesting and obscure memorabilia. Some autographed, some not. Given away in the name of musical fellowship among attendees, with the event organizers getting first dibs.

The team keeps the Facebook page constantly throughout the day and into the evenings. Highlight shots of bands are posted soon after they are off stage and the autograph sessions are posted immediately afterwards. The team does a fantastic job of updating the site for those who are not in attendance and for those in attendance who want to see something they possibly missed because it is impossible to take in everything.

Lovebites was up next and this all female quintet was another of the bands making their US debut. Once the curtain dropped and yet another twin guitar attack shredded our ears, after the fact I cannot think of a single moment when these kick ass musicians were not smiling while performing. This band received the prestigious “…Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for Best New Band…”^[1] in 2018.

Excitement was in the air again as the moments counted down to show time. This band shredded my ears off and after my two allowed songs in the photo pit I made my way to a couple of different vantage points on the floor. Add yet another band to my list that were on my “I have to check them out” list.

High energy and highly engaging with the crowd, this band’s set was easily one of my favorite performances that I saw over the weekend.

Normally, after a band’s set, the floor and arena clear out for food and beverage and restroom runs, but after Lovebites, the arena swelled to near capacity as it was time for the video presentation and announcements of the headliners for PPUSA 2025.

Again my people watching observations kicked in to see the growing excitement with each band announced with a louder roar of approval as each new band was named.

After the video presentation, focus shifted back to the now and Finnish heavy metal band, Amorphis. This band’s evolution across various genres of the metal tree made for an interesting sound.

This music has a very melodic sound and after the fact I learned their lyrics incorporate Finnish folklore and mythological themes, in particular, the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic compilation of poetry telling a story about the Creation of the Earth. And people say heavy metal is just noise.

Again, I compliment the festival and venue’s staff for another very smoothly run day. Two days and I have heard nothing but positivity surrounding this gathering from the people I have mingled with. This day, being in the photo pit, I was able to meet and interact with many of the various band’s and overall event ‘sponsors’.

Being a PPUSA rookie, I did not understand the added value of band sponsorship when I first read about it, or from Christina explaining it to me last year in our initial conversations. Seeing the joy on my new friend’s faces and hearing them talk about their experiences and interaction with their sponsored band really solidified just how well thought out and totally focused on band/fan interaction this event is.

The day’s events concluded and again I was in need of rest as tomorrow’s adventures would start at noon. For more photos of the day’s festivities, go here.