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Angra - Not too surprised with their return given the release of their new album, Temple of Shadows.
Conception - Total surprise! Roy Khan (of Kamelot) returns with his original band. Samples from each of their albums can be found at NoiseRecords. Underrated and Underappreciated - one of the best ProgMetal/Rock bands.
Orphaned Land - Not my style of music and don't really care for them.
Circus Maximus - A very promising Progressive Metal band soon to release their debut album. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
Manticora - Typical Power Metal band. Not too bad, but not really into them.
Stratovarius - Heh, heh, heh
. If you've been following the "Stratovarius Drama" last year...do I even need to say anything other than, will it be a fiasco?Therion - Eh?
, no thanks. Moving on...Pink Cream 69 - A very good Melodic Metal band. Incredibly talented musicians who also worked on/with many other bands like Adagio, Angra, & Missa Mercuria. . . Oh, yeah (I'm also using them for my next video).
Symphorce - Another Power Metal band. Not much different from Brainstorm, vocalist Andy B. Franck's other band who played at PP last year. They're ok, but again, just not into them.
Stride - This is truely the gem of the lot. They are a local Progressive Metal band from Houston,TX who are also coming out with a new release (featuring a new singer). They are also the first band to move from the Pre-Party show to The Stage! Their first album(s) were instrumental works (of art) and samples can be heard at CD Baby:
Music Machine & Bah Humbug (a Christmas album). Check them out! They are very good.