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Posted on Friday, December 30 2005 @ 21:10:16 CST by Pete Pardo
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 After an eventful Saturday, including
a full day of prog-rock headlined
by IQ, and a late after-concert get together at the Comfort Suites
hotel where many fans, bands, and vendors converged, Knight Area, from
the Netherlands, had the opening slot Sunday morning for "breakfast at
NEARfest". Filling in for another Lasers Edge band, Riverside, who
unfortunately had to cancel, KnightArea readily agreed to take their
spot and wake up the sleepy faithful on the 11:00 AM opening set. |
The
band's brand of hard rocking symphonic progressive rock is big on
sweeping keyboards, crunchy guitar work, and big vocal harmonies,
courtesy of lead singer Mark Smit. The band played a selection of songs
from their The Sun Also Rises CD, and the audience
for the most part seemed to be enjoying the masterful dual keyboard and
guitar attack, which gave the band a very full sound. The band swayed
from majestic & atmospheric numbers drenched in keyboards, to
more aggressive pieces featuring some nimble guitar solos and
crunchy riffs.
Perhaps it was the previous nights festivities, or the
hard rock posturing and outfit changes of lead singer Smit, as the
crowd seemed to drain a bit about mid-way through the bands set.
Despite a strong voice, Smit seemed to many to be an odd choice of
vocalist for this kind of band, and there was quite a discussion after
their set that he might go over better in a hard rock or metal band
rather than fronting a symphonic progressive rock group. Nonetheless,
there was plenty of upbeat sounds coming from the stage during the set,
and while Knight Area may not have been to the liking of some of the
"old school" prog fans in attendance, those who appreciate the new
blood certainly gave them a nice applause and enjoyed themselves.
Set List:
- Beyond - The Gate of Eternity
- Conspiracy
- Exit L.U.M.C.
- Conviction
- A Different Man
- Moods Inspiring Clouds
- Forever Now
- The Sun Also Rises
- Mortal Brow
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Peter Pardo
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