Given the fact that many people consider headbanging heavy metal fans to be worshippers of the devil, if such a thought is true, then surely old Lucifer must have full control over the weather switches. Yet again (as for the last couple of Download festivals), Castle Donington was soaked in sunshine as 80,000 rock and metal fans prepared to rock themselves stupid for 3 days, with over a 100 bands playing across four stages. One of the world’s biggest events of it’s kind, the Download festival is certianly number one when it comes to the huge platter of different bands on offer, ensuring that not one of the fans in attendance will have experienced the same festival by the end of it.

After getting au fait with the new Download site layout (the third different layout in 3 years), it was down to the main stage to check out the crazy masked men that are HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, and then THE BLACKOUT, who kept the crowd entertained with an enjoyable medley of covers from the bigger bands due to grace the main stage later in the day. Wise move!

With the likes of STAIND struggling to really get the party started (and no sign of Fred Durst for ‘Outside’), it wasn’t until KILLSWITCH ENGAGE hit the stage that the real metal madness began. Finishing off their explosive set with a cover of DIO’s ‘Holy Diver’ was a real crowd pleaser, with the classic metal fans nodding with obvious approval. As usual, camp as you can get guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz pranced around the stage, with his cape flapping in the ever so welcome summer breeze. This is, of course, all in the name of good fun, and KILLSWITCH always seem to deliver on the live front, today being no different.

While LACUNA COIL and OPETH cast darkness over the second stage, LIMP BIZKIT were larging it up on the main, and 5 minutes into their set, it was still fairly obvious that LIMP BIZKIT are a pop rap band, that somehow got brandished with the metal tag. Fred Durst hasn’t changed one iota, still wearing his red cap, and waving his hands as he raps through the likes of the mildy enjoyable ‘My Generation’, and the foul mouthed hilarity that is ‘Hot Dog’. Fortunately, a far better alternative to LIMP BIZKIT was on offer in the 3rd stage where Canadian legends VOIVOD were thrashing their way through a pummelling 30 minute set, in honour of late guitarist ‘Piggy’, which ended with a superb cover of PINK FLOYD’s ‘Astronomy Divine’.

Back to the main stage where Download regulars KORN played a typically solid, festival crowd pleasing set, with the likes of ‘Got The Life’ and ‘Blind’ standing out. Still, the lack of any memorable melodies really does expose the reason why the nu-metal fad came and went. However, there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t enjoy the video for ‘Freak on a Leash’, and it’s always fun to hear it live too. Put simply, KORN are a decent festival band, and a fairly appropriate support act for FAITH NO MORE, given both bands popularity in the musically bland 1990s.

After OPETH had finally finished their set, the second stage was handed over to headliners MOTLEY CRUE, and the hollywood quartet put in a performance that completely out gunned any other band of the day. Tommy Lee’s drum antics, Vince Neil’s wailing banshee vocals, Nikki Sixx’s crazy headbanding and Mick Mars’ crunching guitar riffs, combined to create a set that will be remembered for years to come. Old classics like ‘Livewire’ and set opener ‘Kickstart My Heart’ had thousands of fans punching the air, while new songs ‘Motherfucker of the Year’ and ‘Saints of Los Angeles’ showed that the band can still cut it in the studio.

After the MOTLEY CRUE swan song of ‘Home Sweet Home’, it was a quick dash back to the main stage to catch the climax of the much hyped FAITH NO MORE. Despite this being only the second show since the reunion, the band peformed pretty damn well, and given that FAITH NO MORE were never really that big of a band in the UK (i.e. they never played the arenas), they did pull one hell of a crowd.

Mike Patton still has the voice and the on stage personality that made FAITH NO MORE the band they are. The awesome ‘Epic’ went down really well, a long with a heap of other classics, such as ‘Midlife Crisis’ and the COMMODORES cover ‘Easy’, with probably the only notable omission from the set being ‘Digging The Grave’. Let’s hope that this reunion isn’t just a flash in the pan, and that FAITH NO MORE will be back in the UK to do a few, more intimate indoor shows in the future. They’ll be more than welcome, judging by the reaction of the Donington hordes.

With Donington once again drenched in sunshine, the first band to really kick ass on day 2 of the festival were Swedish sleaze rockers HARDCORE SUPERSTAR. Despite their early slot on the second stage, a decent crowd gathered to sing a long to the anthemic ‘We Don’t Celebrate Sundays’, as well as sit back and enjoy a selection of songs from brand new album ‘Beg For It’. Meanwhile, brutal metal titans DEVIL DRIVER were really kicking up a storm on the main stage as they attempted to break the world record for the biggest ever circle pit. I don’t know whether it achieved the record or not, but it sure was one hell of a pit, and personally, I was glad to be watching it on the big screens.

The simlarly heavy HATEBREED and the Phil Anselmo fronted DOWN followed, but their performances both pailed in comparison to the mighty DEVIL DRIVER. Still, I was thankful not to be at the second stage, where a swarm of bumble bees delayed the STATIC X performance from buzzing into action. Appratently a bee keeper was on site and the situation was sorted fairly quickly.

Speaking of the second stage, Irish retro rockers THE ANSWER followed STATIC X with a typical display of soulful rock that won the hearts of many a classic rocker on their recent tour supporting the one and only AC/DC. Less soulful was the erratic, over zealous power metal of DRAGONFORCE that poisoned the ears of anyone unlucky enough to standing anywhere near the main stage. They are a talented band, and do have some good moments, but so many of their songs are just well below par power metal.

Avoiding the dance music of PENDULUM like the plague, it was time for a quick trip round the many market stores gracing the festival, before returning to the main stage to check out MARILYN MANSON. What can be said about MARILYN MANSON that hasn’t been said before. Here’s a bloody wierdo alright, but for most goth rockers, he’s just a guilty pleasure, and always seems to go down well at the festivals. This was a typical Manson show, with very little crowd participation, but plenty of studio accurate performances of the most popular songs.

With THE PRODIGY on the 2nd stage, no doubt wooing the same crowd that had watched PENDULUM earlier, it was over to the 3rd stage for me in order to catch the one and only ANVIL. A few years ago, I would have laughed my head off if someone had suggested to me that ANVIL were going to headline the 3rd stage at Download, but of course, the band has new found fame following the amazing success of their documentary film ‘Anvil, the story of Anvil’.

Being a fan of the band for a number of years, I was delighted to see Lips and co. play to such a healthy crowd. Great songs like ‘March of the Crabs’ and ‘Metal on Metal’ really rocked the tent, and it was obvious that many were surprised to see that ANVIL are actually a great and immensley talented band.

Trudging back from the ANVIL set, I did manage to catch a brief glimpse of the SLIPKNOT main stage headline show. The stage show sure did look impressive, and most of the crowd were certainly well in to it. However, for me, the music sounded pretty damn ordinary. Given the severe lack of great songs in SLIPKNOT’s back catalouge, I still find it amazing that they can headline a festival of this size. I had definitely made the right choice watching ANVIL!

The lineup for Sunday was a classic rocker’s wet dream, and plenty had made it to the front of the main stage in time to see former THE DARKNESS guitarist Dan Hawkins strutting his stuff with new band STONE GODS, tearing through a rip-roaring rendition of the awesome ‘Burn The Witch’. Underrated hard rock veterans TESLA were up next, and seemed happier than anyone to finally have their huge banner hanging up on a stage at Castle Donington. 25 minutes was simply not enough for a band of their quality, but ‘Modern Day Cowboy’ rounded off a faultless performance.

After the re-united SKIN played a solid, if not spectacular set, the stage was handed over to young guns BLACK STONE CHERRY, playing on the main stage at Download for the second year in succession. As per usual, the Southern rock four piece performed with no shortage of energy, and tremendous ability. While, the likes of ‘Rain Wizard’ and ‘Blind Man’ rocked people’s socks off, the highlight of the set was an emotional performance of the beautiful ‘Things My Father Said’.

When it comes to melodic rock, there is no band that surpasses the legend of JOURNEY. ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ is one of the most popular songs of all time, and the packed crowd at Download sung along with every word. This was the peak of a fantastic 45 minute set, packed with classic after classic. Some of the band look like they should be sat at home with their pipe and slippers, but young Filipino frontman Anrel Pineda was running round the stage like a mad man, loving every minute of living his dream. It wasn’t so long ago that he was the singer in a JOURNEY tribute band!

Directly after JOURNEY came another bunch of extremely talented musicians, DREAM THEATER. Opening with the brilliant ‘Pull Me Under’, DREAM THEATER quickly got on top of the occassion, and proceeded to deliver a killer set. Musically, they may be a little difficult to get into, but it is impossible to not enjoy watching a band with such immense musical ability.

Next up were the sharp dressed men of rock ‘n’ roll, the legendary ZZ TOP making a very rare UK performance. Of all the ‘classic’ bands on show, with their huge beards getting greyer by the day, ZZ TOP were certainly showing their age more than anyone, but that didn’t stop them playing a good set, airing all the classics such as ‘Cheap Sunglasses’, ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’, and of course, the brilliant ‘Tush’. There was never a doubt that ZZ TOP were going to go down well, and judging by the number of folk walking round in their t-shirts, they proved to be one of the biggest crowd pullers of the weekend.

At the same time as ZZ TOP were strutting their stuff, the hottest new act on the sunset strip, STEEL PANTHER were making their UK debut to a massive crowd at the 3rd stage. If you like the whole hair metal sights and sounds, and have a very good sense of humour, then you’ll absolutely fall in love with this band. ‘Death To All But Metal’ is their anthem and it’s a good one at that, just check out the lyrics!

Playing their fourth show at Donington were WHITESNAKE, or should I say, David Coverdale and friends, given the fact that each time WHITESNAKE has played at Donington, the line-up of the band has been completely different. Still, Coverdale’s fresh faced band aren’t half good players, and did a grand job, while Coverdale himself was on top vocal form, screaming his way through ‘Still of The Night’, ‘Bad Boys’ and the rarely played ‘Guilty of Love’.

23 years after drummer Rick Allen returned to the live stage after his infamous car accident, DEF LEPPARD were back on the same stage, yet this time, they were the headline act. Sheffield’s finest rock act may have mellowed a little over the years, but if ever a band was worthy of a headline slot at Donington, then DEF LEPPARD sure were. Fortunately, they were up to the task, pulling out all the classics, bringing the Download Festival to an outstanding climax.

According to frontman Joe Elliot, the DEF LEPPARD set was being filmed for a live DVD release, and that’ll sure be a great watch just as long as it captures an ounce of the orgasmic atmosphere amongst the crowd. The acoustic majesty of ‘Two Steps Behind’, the heart felt ‘Love Bites’ and the rocking ‘Switch 625′ were all highlights, with the only cringe worthy moment of the set being an awful bass solo from Rick Savage, where he played along to the kinds of beats you’d expect to hear on MTV Base.

So, what a weekend! Perfect weather, tonnes of great bands and best of all, a humongous crowd, hell bent on having a great time. It really is amazing how 80,000 people can get on so well with each other, with plenty of drink on the go, and not even the slightest hint of any trouble. If only football fans were as well behaved as metal fans.

Review by James Allman (with contributions from Adam Fredericks & Alexander Shaw)

Best Bands: DEF LEPPARD / WHITESNAKE / JOURNEY / ANVIL / MOTLEY CRUE