Paradox have officially disbanded and canceled all live appearances

This was also posted to their MySpace:

PARADOX be forced to cancel all live activities in the future.
I´m still writing new material to release one more record for my loyal fans in 2011 via AFM-Records.

Charly Steinhauer

I have always been brutally honest with everyone so here goes….

There will be no replacement band. My rationale:

*There are still 13 bands. That remains one more than the number announced when tickets were placed on sale. If there had only been twelve bands and we lost one, I would have replaced the band.

*I lost money on the Paradox visas. I have no financial incentive to book a new band. Are there quality bands out there that would do it for free? Absolutely! However, I do not think a new opening band will sell additional tickets based on their appearance alone. Sure, this could be debated. However, I’m not willing to gamble further.

*My crew needs a breather. This is our first and last year with seven bands on the day. They work their ass off and giving them an extra hour to break and actually shower for a change…will make a world of difference in the smell backstage.

*The fans can now sleep in a bit longer on Saturday and enjoy a late lunch. This can only help with fatigue on Saturday evening when Marco is kicking your ass.

*The Seventh Wonder Gold Badge/VIP show will remain as scheduled at 1pm. This will give those attending a chance to break instead of heading straight downstairs to grab their chairs.

I do not expect everyone to agree with my decision. However, I do ask that you respect it, as I’m trying to look at the big picture.

“Sorry, they aren’t coming. Their album was pushed back so they aren’t coming over till next year.”

What? That’s it? Where you planning on telling me?

“I just found out last Friday.”

Uh….yeah.

I requested a statement from them with an explanation for the fans. I was told it would come today. Nothing arrived. I emailed twice more during the day asking and did not receive a reply. I have no idea if one is coming tomorrow or not. I’m in the dark just like everyone else. All I can do is apologize and hope they give the fans a better explanation than I got. I do not feel it is fair to withhold the news with tickets on sale, so I’m going public now instead of waiting. If I keep a single person from being pissed off, then I have done my duty.

This business can kick you in the nuts at anytime.

Anyhow, I do not want the donations go to waste, nor do I want anyone to think I just pocketed them. Blind sponsorship bids are still being honored.

Unfortunately, it is simply too late to look for a replacement from abroad. After careful consideration of all my realistic options, I have decided to invite Blackguard to join Friday’s roster. They will perform in the 2nd slot after Illusion Suite. They are a fantastic live band with amazing energy. If you give them a chance, I guarantee they will win you over.

Thanks for your understanding and support. I’ll continue to tell you like it is until I retire the Hawaiian shirt.

– Glenn

The cost of single day tickets are $60 (2 day tickets are still available for $120).

You can purchase your tickets by clicking here!

Tri-pods and large camera bags are still prohibited. Furthermore, I will be a much bigger asshole to those that I catch recording. You will be tossed out without mercy.

I’d like to personally thank the sponsors for giving their blessing to this. They truly understand that anything we can to do to generate a positive vibe about the festival is a good thing in the long run.

Details of the “fan” photography contest will be posted in August.

cheers,

Glenn

We applied for 9 total visas this year (with the remaining ones taken care of by the bands themselves). All 9 visa applications have been approved by the UCIS. That is the MAJOR piece of the application process (and where we got screwed last year).

The rest of the process is now in the hands of the bands themselves as they obtain the actual visa stamps upon completion of their interviews at their respective consuls. I expect absolutely no problems with that.

I want to take this moment to recognize Marc “The Visa Guy” Gessford for his outstanding and dedicated work this year.

– Glenn

The band’s lineup consists of:
Mark Tornillo – Vocals
Wolf Hoffmann – Guitars
Herman Frank – Guitars
Peter Baltes – Bass
Stefan Schwarzman – Drums

“Blood Of the Nations” is the first ACCEPT studio album in over a decade and the first to feature Mark Tornillo on vocals. It was recorded over the winter of 2009-2010 at Backstage Studio in Derbyshire, England with celebrated British producer, Sabbat guitarist and long-time ACCEPT fan Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Exodus, Arch Enemy, Nevermore). It is currently scheduled for an April release.

Wolf sums it up plain and simple: “Something amazing has happened. We seem to have been transformed from one world into another… these new songs simply bursted out of a vault that has been locked up for too long! We’re not sure where Blood of the Nations and all this new excitement will ultimately take us; we only know one thing: We never had it this good!” The remaining schedule for the 11th edition of North America’s premier progressive & power metal festival is set:

MID-WEEK MAYHEM PARTY
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8, 2010:
Ross the Boss (with special guest Scott Columbus): “A Night of Manowar Classics”
Vangough (US)
Seven Kingdoms (US)

PROGPOWER USA KICK-OFF
THURSDAY, SEPT 9, 2010:
Accept (Germany)
Leprous (Denmark)
Borealis (Canada)
Six Minute Century (US)

PROGPOWER USA DAY 1
FRIDAY, SEPT. 10, 2010:
Kamelot (US/Norway)
Nocturnal Rites (Sweden)
Tyr (Faroe Islands)
Seventh Wonder (Sweden)
Leaves’ Eyes (Norway/Germany)
Stormwarrior (Germany)
Illusion Suite (Norway)

PROGPOWER USA DAY 2
SATURDAY, SEPT. 11, 2010:
Hammerfall (Sweden)
Tarot (Finland)
Delain (The Netherlands)
DGM (Italy)
Oceans of Sadness (Belgium)
Paradox (Germany)

Sale hours:
Gold Badge holders: 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Regular tickets: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Cash only. I will ONLY stock bands from the ProgPower USA XII roster announcement.

Regular vendor hours for Saturday also remain in affect:

Gold Badge holders: 12:00 pm
Regular Tickets: 3:00 pm

All inquiries should be directed to: kent@lucidloungestudios.com

Kent Smith
Lucid Lounge Studios

LEPROUS (www.leprous.net)
Ranging from heavy metal to jazz, from progressive rock to black metal, Norway’s LEPROUS is not afraid of transcending the boundaries of what music “should” sound like. Last years incredible “Tall Poppy Syndrome” gave fans of such diverse bands as Opeth, Arcturus, Porcupine Tree, Van Der Graaf Generator and Emperor a new favorite band. With the show at the ProgPower USA 2010 Showcase, LEPROUS will be making their first US appearance ever, and are very much looking forward to bringing their original blend of all-encompassing music styles to Center Stage.

Check out a live video from their 2009 performance in Denmark here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

BOREALIS (www.borealisband.com)
Canadian newcomer band BOREALIS is nothing short of being one of the most expressive young power metal bands right now. Their incredible blend of old school heavy metal and progressive inputs leaves the listener with nothing to desire. Making their US debut at ProgPower USA 2010 Showcase, expect nothing but a high energy show that will satisfy fans of bands such as Evergrey, Savatage and Vanden Plas.

Check out the video “Where We Started” (demo from upcoming second album):

Click here to view the embedded video.

SIX MINUTE CENTURY (www.sixminutecentury.com)
Texas progressive metal artist Six Minute Century starts off the festivities with a long awaited, and well deserved appearance. Hard hitting, melodic, progressive, great songwriting, and soaring vocals are all a part of what this truly talented American band has to offer. With years of live, touring and recording experience between them, it is far past time that the Progpower century hits the Six Minute mark. Fans of Savatage, John Arch”esque” vocals and other similar bands of the genre rejoice. Check out their debut release “Time Capsules” on ITunes, CD Baby, or through Nightmare Records.

Swordlord Productions and Intromental Management are proud to announce that the Wednesday September 8, 2010 pre-pre-party show for ProgPower USA, also known as “Midweek Mayhem”, will be a three-band concert featuring the most exciting bands on the US metal scene. The show will be held at The Loft, Atlanta, GA (www.theloftatl.com).

Headlining the event will be none other than New York band ROSS THE BOSS.

SwordLord Productions is proud to announce a very special event for ProgPower XI. Master guitarist and founding member of Manowar, Ross The Boss along with the legendary Manowar drummer Scott Columbus will take the stage at the Loft on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 for a very special performance of classic Manowar songs along with material off of Ross’ smashing debut “New Metal Leader”. September 8 will be the first day of music in a four day event known as ProgPower USA. Ross and company will officially kick-off the event followed by a showcase performance of other acts on the 9th and the mainstage event on the 10th & 11th. Columbus and Ross have not shared the stage together in nearly 22 years. This will be a one-of-a-kind evening of music for fans of hard-driving, face-melting heavy metal. Ross The Boss has rarely played in the United States. Previously he has mostly played on festivals throughout Europe. These performances were enthusiastically received and featured an energized and triumphant Ross playing in top form. “I am overjoyed to be producing this very special show for ProgPower fans and the east coast metal scene,” says Promoter, Nathan Block of SwordLord Productions. “I have been a Manowar fan for many years but I never had the opportunity to see Ross play until last year. I cannot wait to share this unforgettable experience with the ProgPower community!”
www.ross-the-boss.com

In the middle-slot of the night we have Oklahoma’s progressive metal band VANGOUGH.

Following hot on the heals of their well-received debut album, “Manikin Parade”, Oklahoma’s VANGOUGH are now working on their second AND third album. With the second disc, “Game On”, being a self-financed and self-released intermediate release of progressive metal versions of classic 80’s video/arcade game soundtracks to be released on vinyl in February 2010, the band has already begun recording their third, as of yet untitled disc, which will be made available worldwide through a still undisclosed record label right in time for ProgPower USA. The combination of progressive metal, symphonic rock, huge atmospheric parts and a nod to the 80’s computer game soundtracks all blends together into on unique sound that can only be described as that of Vangough. Without a doubt, VANGOUGH should appeal to all fans of the intricate sounds of Pain Of Salvation or the sheer force of Evergrey.
www.myspace.com/officialvangough

Opener of the show will be Florida’s power metal rising star SEVEN KINGDOMS.

Although only 3 years into their career SEVEN KINGDOMS already have performed more than 50 shows in the south east, including prestigious support gigs for bands such as Soilwork and Circle II Circle. Fronted by the charismatic Sabrina Valentine, Florida-based power metallers SEVEN KINGDOMS impresses with a slab of extremely versatile high-octane-metal and big sing-along-anthems. Musically SEVEN KINGDOMS is a must for any fan of Blind Guardian or Iced Earth.
www.sevenkingdoms.net

We’re also thrilled to announce that we have entered into a co-operation with the globally respected metal publication Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles (www.bravewords.com) for the promotion of this show. Please visit their homepage for all the latest news from the metal world.

Ticket sales will be announced in the upcoming month.
In the meantime, check out more information on www.twitter.com/MidweekMayhemPP and connect with other fans.

Thank you once again to Glenn Harveston of ProgPower USA for letting us put on this show. We’re hoping to see as many of you there, for a night of real loud heavy metal, fun and friendship.

On behalf of Swordlord Productions and Intromental Management,
Nathan Block & Claus Jensen

Swordlord Productions: www.myspace.com/SwordLord
Intromental Management: www.intromental.com
ProgPower USA: www.progpowerusa.com
Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles: www.bravewords.com