My Progressive Nation 2009 Review (Tabernacle, Atlanta)

I should start off by saying that I went because I am a big fan (probably a notch below “hardcore”) of the headliner, Dream Theater… so maybe, this will seem somewhat “fanboyish.”

Show starts at 6:00PM, so I was late due to having this silly thing called “a job” that I had to do during the day.  I missed Scale the Summit, but I heard some pretty cool stuff on their MySpace page.  They are an instrumental band, so I could listen to them, but only a bit at a time.  I love instramentals, but vocals are nice, too. 😉  So, I can’t review their set.

Taken between sets. Missed the set.

I did get there in time to see BigElf.  They are an interesting band.  In some ways, they felt like a heavy version of a Pink Floyd, at least the keys very Floyd like.  I enjoyed their set.  The songs they played (none of which I remember their names) were better than what I had heard on their MySpace page.  I will have to give them a second look when I have time to visit their MySpace page and listen.  Perhaps, I will be buying one of their cd’s in the future….

BigElf on stage

Then, Zappa Plays Zappa.  Interesting concept.  Dweezil is a very talented guitarist and there are still legions of Frank Zappa fans.  I, however, never listened to his music before this show.  I did enjoy the set.  I might end up checking out some of Zappa’s music.  The band he brought into back him was amazingly talented… just as talented as Dweezil, himself.  They are great to watch, Zappa fan or not.  Check out their MySpace page.

Zappa Plays Zappa on stage

Finally… the main event… the 800lb gorilla in the room… Dream Theater… let’s start with the setlist:

1.) A Nightmare To Remember
2.) Prophets Of War
3.) Sacrificed Sons
4.) A Rite Of Passage
5.) The Dance Of Eternity
6.) One Last Time
7.) Solitary Shell [extended]
8.) Take The Time [the end was extended, too]
———-
9.) The Count Of Tuscany

DT on stage... A Nightmare to Remember

All I can saw is “WOW.”  Dream Theater [MySpace link] really wowed me for having such a short set (around 1 hour 45 minutes).  The show started with a song on their latest release, Black Clouds & Silver Linings called, “A Nightmare to Remember.”

Still ... A Nightmare to Remember

They played songs from almost all of their studio releases.  “Prophets of War” is not my favorite DT song, in fact, one of my least favorites, but was actally pretty cool live.  “Sacrificed Sons” is really cool song that has a very mellow opening but finishes pretty heavy.  “A Rite of Passage” is their first single from BC&SL and a heavy song with an interesting instrumental section featuring a section using the iPhone as an instrument.

Seeing “The Dance of Eternity” and “One Last Time” from Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory [still my favorite DT release] was a real treat for me.  “Take the Time” from Images & Words is a fan favorite and awesome song… the extended version of “Solitary Shell” was nothing short of amazing.

Jordan on the 'keytar'

DT really does amazing extended versions… and to end it with “The Count of Tuscany” (from BC&SL) was a great way to end it.  That song has a great ending to it and makes a great encore song.

James sining the end of The Count of Tuscany

I have to give the setlist a 9.5/10.  I am just not a big fan of “Prophets of War” but I only knocked .5 off because POW was okay live… The rest of the setlist was amazing to me.  Just when you think they can’t top themselves… they do!

Mike Portnoy acknowledging the crowd....

Take a bow, guys... job well done.

NOTE: These shots were taken with my cell phone, so not good quality… security didn’t seem to mind cameras as I saw plenty of people with them… oh, well… I won’t be making money off of these shots…