Considering it’s virginity, the festival was fairly well organised with only a couple of snags. Snag number one was the running order. Firstly, it was frustrating that it was left to just 48 hours before the festival kicked off to announce the stage times. More frustrating though was the number of clashes. For example, there was one point on Saturday afternoon where FOREIGNER, SAXON and ASIA were all on at the same time – and that’s crazy if you ask me. I find it astonishing why more festivals don’t adopt the Wacken approach, where the two main stages are next to each other, with bands alternating throughout the day, without a break between them. Snag number two? Well, there was much talk of real ale at High Voltage, and in particular special ales ZZ Hops and Heaven and Ale. Neither were in sight, and at several points during the weekend, no real ale at all was available. Obviously it was underestimated how many people like to drink proper beer, rather than the overpiced fizzy rubbish you get at most festivals. Still, I guess some real ale is better than no real ale.

So on to the bands, with the unfortunate premise that this review/memoir is often based on seeing just one or two songs of the setlists, due to the numerous clashes. Saturdays main stage action was kicked off by strong performances by both THE UNION and THE ANSWER, while ORANGE GOBLIN got plenty of heads banging on the Metal Hammer stage. Swedish true metal flag fliers HAMMERFALL also impressed on the Metal Hammer, rounding off their brief appearance with a rousing rendition of ‘Hearts on Fire’. Before that, I’d caught a bit of FOCUS on the prog stage, but much of their soft material was drowned out by the Metal Hammer stage, which was just a stone throw away. I learnt form this that to enjoy a band on the Prog stage, you had to get right down the front. Still, I did manage to catch FOCUS play ‘Hocus Pocus’ which went down a storm!

Blues mastermind, and former THIN LIZZY guitarist GARY MOORE was soon up on the main stage. Moore’s licks are still sounding as good as they always have, and the likes of ‘Empty Rooms’ and ‘Out in the Fields’ were as scorching as the hot London sunshine. Moore’s new material also sounded impressive, but there was no time for ‘Parisienne Walkways’, as in the end, time ran out and Moore virtually had to be pulled off the stage.

Staying at the main stage, next up were FOREIGNER, who were on top form, despite only having time for 9 songs themselves. Frontman Kelly Hansen has a great voice, and a real Steven Tyler swagger about him. Leaving FOREIGNER a few songs into the set, it was back down to the Prog stage to catch the original line up of ASIA, playing their 1982 self titled debut album, in it’s entirety. I can’t remember seing a tighter band performance than this, with the legendary Carl Palmer particularly outstanding on the drums. Unfortunately, the recent memory of seeing SAXON at Download will have to suffice, as I just couldn’t deal with the three band clash, and given SAXON tour so regularly, they were the band I had to miss. Sorry Biff!

After studying the clash ridden line up, the one band I wasn’t going to miss a second of was HEAVEN AND HELL. This was a completely one-off, never to be seen again show, with the band paying tribute to their late singer Ronnie James Dio. I thoroughly enjoyed the set, and thought that both Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN) and Glenn Hughes did a great job on the vocals. The lesser known Lande has a voice that is almost a clone of Dio’s. Wendy Dio also came on stage to announce the Ronnie James Dio ‘Stand up and Shout’ cancer fund – but as her microphone was so low, and voice so soft, thats about all I caught of what she said. The set was rounded off with both singers ripping through ‘Neon Knights’. A less welcome Phil Anselmo ran on stage to join in, with band members and crowd alike looking rather bemused.

Headlining the main stage were rock’s most enduring trio, ZZ TOP, who’s mix of hard rock and blues rounded off the opening night of High Voltage in style. All the classics were played, from set opener ‘Got Me Under Pressure’, right through to the likes of ‘Cheap Sunglasses’ and set closer ‘Tush’. The orignal line up of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard has stayed intact right from day one of the band, and such solidarity means that ZZ TOP’s live set is a close to musical perfection as you can get.

With the sun shining again, MARTIN TURNER’S WISHBONE ASH delivered the best lunchtime Sunday school service anyone could hope for. Their album ‘Argus’ is a lesson for all wannabe prog bands, and it was great to see the whole album played. It was then off to the main stage for the feel good rock n’ roll of THE QUIREBOYS, for whom Spike was on top form. On shortly after were UFO, who unfortunately were left standing helplessly for nearly 10 minutes after lead guitarist Vinnie Moore’s equipment failed. Once back on track, the likes of ‘Lights Out’ and ‘Doctor Doctor’ were delivered with aplomb.

There was then yet another clash to deal with, as I caught half of each of the sets by MAGNUM on the Prog stage, and BACHMAN TURNER on the Main stage. For me, MAGNUM are one of the most underatted bands in classic rock, and have enough quality material to headline a festival, never mind play a poxy 45 minute set in the middle of the afternoon. BACHMAN TURNER were excellent though, and given that live appearances from these two are very rare, it was well worth catching a few numbers.

It was then back to the Prog stage where URIAH HEEP were the latest band to peform an album in it’s entirety. This time, it was the 1972 classic ‘Demons and Wizards’. Former WHITESNAKE axe man Micky Moody made a guest appearance on the slide guitar, making this an extra special performance. Frontman Bernie Shaw has a great voice and really did the album justice, while original member Mick Box continues to blossom in his autumn years, and deserves real credit for carrying on the legacy of the band.

After URIAH HEEP, it was yet another trek, this time back to the main stage, where JOE BONAMASSA was rounding off his set with a cover of ZZ TOP’s ‘Just Got Paid’ – and yes, it was the second time the song was played over the weekend. After Bonamassa, the main stage was handed over to DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliot, who along with members of the QUIREBOYS, has put together a fantastic tribute band to the music of the legendary Ian Hunter. The band goes by the name of the DOWN N’ OUTZ, and even Ian Hunter himself came out to join the band on the final two numbers ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’ and ‘Who Do You Love’. The DOWN N’ OUTZ are great fun, and hopefully Joe will bring the band out for more dates in the future. Meanwhile, OPETH and DOWN had no doubt been hotting up the headbanging action over at the metal stage, while ARGENT and MARILLION kept the Prog stage ticking over.

The final band to perform were EMERSON LAKE PALMER. Reunited for the first show in 15 years, the three piece supergroup brought High Voltage to a close with a performance to remember. Many will consider ELP as a band for fellow musicians to enjoy, but as a non-musician myself, I’d say anyone can enjoy a band with such talent. ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ was the encore number, after which, the High Voltage masses headed for the exit, surely well and truly satisfied.

So the UK finally has a dedicated classic rock festival that is big enough to attract the cream of the crop when it comes to the genre. Despite a few teething problems, the inaugural High Voltage festival was a resounding success, and for that reason, there is every reason to think that this festival can, and will happen every year from here on in. See you down the front in 2011!

Review by James Allman

Best Bands: HEAVEN AND HELL / ZZ TOP / MAGNUM / URIAH HEEP

Friday June 11th

After fighting my way through the crowds, I was through the gates in time to catch the end of an enjoyable set from LAWNMOWER DETH, before the excellent TYKETTO took to the stage. Playing a number of classics from the ‘Don’t Come Easy’ album, Danny Vaughn’s band went down really well in front of a packed 3rd stage crowd, all of whom sang along to set closer ‘Forever Young’. On the main stage, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, who were a last minute replacement for WOLFMOTHER, paid tribute to their hero Ronnie James Dio with their great cover of ‘Holy Diver’.

With the festival arena filling up to bursting point, it was time for supergroup THEM CROOKED VULTURES to take to the stage, as the last band to play the main stage. The band features QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE frontman Josh Homme on vocals and guitar, FOO FIGHTERS main man David Grohl on drums and LED ZEPPELIN’s legendary John Paul Jones on bass.
I hadn’t heard any of the band’s material before the show, and of that, I’m quite glad! Not a single song impressed me, and THEM CROOKED VULTURES have to go down as one of the worst bands I’ve ever seen on the Donington main stage. They make be called a supergroup, but one thing’s for sure, they certainly aren’t super!

There’s no getting around it, this year’s Download festival was all about the return to Donington of the legendary AC/DC. Headlining for the fourth time, the AC/DC train rolled in bang on schedule, and the 2 hour ride that followed was full of all the usual thrills and spills that people have come to expect. As anticipated, the crowd was absolutely humungous, and surely the biggest Donington has seen for a number of years. Packed in near the front, turning rounded to look at the crowd, all you could see was a vast ocean of people, a quite incredible sight.

Playing on their own stage (next to the main stage), the set opened with the new track ‘Rock n’ Roll Train’, before classic after classic followed, including the likes of ‘Back in Black’ and ‘Thunderstruck’. You can’t help but love Angus Young, and it’s great to see him in such good shape, with his long locks of hair flowing again. Young hopped around the stage all night, and his solo on the platform at the end is always a highlight of any AC/DC set.

The giant inflatable Rosie came out for ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, and Brian Johnson swung like Tarzan to ring the huge AC/DC bell for ‘Hells Bells’. The final song of the setlist was ‘For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)’, complete with the firing cannons. This was a bombastic finale, and AC/DC had delivered a memorable set that will go down in Donington history as one of the very best headline performances. I for one hope that the footage of the momentous evening will one day be made available on DVD. The best live stadium band ever? Oh Yes!

Saturday June 12th

Of the day’s early performers, it was the female fronted FLYLEAF who made the best impression, with their cultured brand of nu-metal proving to be a good warm up for the rest of the day’s action.

Los Angeles quintet FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH then played a really strong set, following on from their powerful headline performance at this year’s Hammerfest. The likes of ‘Salvation’ and ‘No One Gets Left Behind’ really got the crowd moving, and at one stage, the set was under severe threat of getting cut short due to the number of crowd surfers. This set certainly wasn’t fun for the Download security staff.

A disappointing set from LAMB OF GOD failed to capitalise on the frenzy built up by 5FDP, with only ‘Redneck’ standing out from an otherwise bland set, ruined in one way by the fact that Randy Blythe’s voice could hardly be heard above the pummeling drums and guitars. Perhaps Blythe should invest in a more modern radio mic, which might help things?

Returning to play their fourth Donington were thrash metal titans MEGADETH. I was worried that the technical sound of MEGADETH’s complex music was going to get lost in the outdoor sound mix, but fortunately, the volume seemed to go up a notch, and Dave Mustaine and his latest crew sounded on terrific form. There wasn’t quite enough time to play the whole ‘Rust in Peace’ album, as they have been doing on this tour, instead they treated Download to a set full of classics, which certainly got a thumbs up from the crowd.

26 years after their last Donington appearance, San Fransisco rockers Y&T were back on the holy ground and delivered a typically face-melting setlist. This was 40 minutes of great songs, and the best guitar performance of the weekend from the ever impressive Dave Meniketti. On exiting the 3rd stage marquee, DEFTONES were performing on the main stage, a band who really don’t deserve the recognition they seem to get. After seeing a band with the quality of Y&T be restricted to a 40 minute set in a marquee, it was a disgrace to see DEFTONES on the main stage – a band who have a modicum of the talent of Y&T.

Resisting the temptation to try and find a place to watch the England World Cup game (it wasn’t made clear where the game would be screened), I hung around to see out the day. On the back of the success of their surprise Christmas number one, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE were Saturday’s main stage headliners. For me, a headline band at a festival of this magnitude should have at least 20+ classic songs in their catalogue, with a few on stage thrills up their sleeve to make the show a visible spectacle. Unfortunately, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE have neither.

Still, I have to admit that the set went down pretty well, and predictable set closer ‘Killing In The Name’ was one of the defining moments of the day. Every single metal fan in the country would have been delighted to see the song shoot down the X-Factor. Seeing 80,000+ people shout ‘F*ck You! I Won’t Do What You Tell Me!’ is a message of non-conformity to the pop music scene that continues to poison the TV and radio airwaves.

Sunday June 13th

Opening up the second stage today were two bands who unashamedly fly the flag for traditional old school heavy metal. Americans WHITE WIZZARD and Canadians 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, both made the most of their 25 minutes apiece, each paying tribute to Ronnie James Dio, with the crowd offering their best devil horns.

It was then a quick dash to the main stage to see metal veterans SAXON dust off their classic 1980 ‘Wheels of Steel’ album, playing the record in it’s entirety for the first time in their history. Fortunately, the 37 minute length of the record ensured that there was time to add a few more classics to the set, which meant the essential ‘And The Bands Played On’ got aired. This was a song written about the Donington festival, after SAXON’s 1980 ‘Monsters of Rock’ appearance. ‘Princess of the Night’ rounded up a great set, topping off a long overdue to the limelight for one of metal’s most underrated bands.

CINDERELLA was one of the most surprising names on the Download line-up. The band have been out of action for a number of years, due to frontman Tom Kiefer’s vocal problems, and their last UK performance was literally decades ago. CINDERELLA played a fantastic set, with great rockers like ‘Somebody Save Me’ and ‘Gypsy Road’, alongside the beautiful ballads ‘Nobody’s Fool’ and ‘Don’t Know What You Got (‘Till It’s Gone)’. As for Kiefer’s voice, well you would never have guessed that (as rumour has it) a year ago he couldn’t sing a note. Fingers crossed CINDERELLA will be back to the UK to play along overdue headline show.

Next on the main stage was legendary former GUN’S N’ ROSES lead guitarist SLASH, whose touring band includes the excellent Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE on vocals. Kennedy was once rumoured to be the next singer of LED ZEPPELIN, and today’s evidence, you can see why, sounding great on the high pitched GNR material (‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ and ‘Paradise City’) and the VELVET REVOLVER tune ‘Slither’. It was a real highlight of the set though when SLASH brought out his mate Lemmy to perform the brilliant new track ‘Dr.Alibi’. It was a really good set by SLASH, who profited from concentrating on playing some good tunes, rather than messing about with endless boring guitar solos (like most other solo guitarists are prone to do).

It was just after SLASH’s set that the weather took a severe turn for the worst. After years of sunshine at the Download festival, it was always going to rain at some point, and boy did it rain today. The rain didn’t stop until the end of the night, and with the heavens well and truly open, many festival goers headed for an early exit. Playing on through the rain, BILLY IDOL followed SLASH with an enjoyable slab of the 1980’s. Inevitably ‘White Wedding’ and set closer ‘Rebel Yell’ were the two songs which will leave a lasting memory.

Next to play for the increasingly wet crowd were rock n’ roll outlaws MOTÖRHEAD. There’s no louder three-piece in the business, and MOTÖRHEAD’s uncompromising set was lapped up by the brave souls who trudged their way to the front. Of course, ‘Ace of Spades’ and ‘Overkill’ were as enjoyable as ever, but MOTÖRHEAD have plenty of other great songs, which all made for a great set.

With the crowd thinning out by the minute, and probably only a third of the people in the arena as there was for AC/DC, the return of the reunited grunge outfit STONE TEMPLE PILOTS was next on the bill. Lead by the recently departed former VELVET REVOLVER singer Scott Weiland, STP are one of the better bands to come out of the early 1990’s grunge revolution. The likes of the excellent ‘Plush’ and ‘Sex Type Thing’ made for a good entertaining set.

So with the clock heading towards nine o’clock, it was time for the sodden Download Festival to be brought to a close, with rock legends AEROSMITH given the job this year. Given the ridiculous price of their London O2 gig tickets, this was actually an opportunity to see AEROSMITH on the cheap. Although on the basis of today, it would have been nice to have had a roof over head.

Opening the set with their 80’s hair metal anthem ‘Love In An Elevator’, AEROSMITH swaggered through a brilliant show, suitable to bring the curtain down on any festival. The set had all the big hits, such as ‘Livin’ On The Edge’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing’ - but their was still time to throw in the majestic lesser known rockers like ‘Lord of the Thighs’ and ‘Draw the Line’.

The AEROSMITH set, and with it, the Download festival 2010 was rounded off by an encore of ‘Dream On’, ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Toys In The Attic’. There’s no denying that the good old English weather really dampened the spirits on the final day, but not a lot can be done about that. Fortunately, all the bands turned up, and all the bands did the best they could to entertain the crowd. Although perhaps there was just too many people around on the AC/DC Friday, Download 2010 was a success yet again, and the festival continues to be a great celebration of all the different sub genres of rock music.

Festival review by James Allman

Festival Rating: 4.4/5.0

SONISPHERE takes place at KNEBWORTH HOUSE July 30th – August 1st 2010
 
Tickets for SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH are on sale now at (Sonisphere Festival) – with a full weekend ticket going for just £132.50, no booking fee and a host of exclusive performances there is no better value for UK Festival Fans this summer!
 
 
Band Line up so far:
 
IRON MAIDEN **
RAMMSTEIN *
65DAYSOFSTATIC
AFTER THE ORDEAL
ALICE COOPER *
ALICE IN CHAINS **
ALL FORGOTTEN
ALLIES
AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR
ANTHRAX *
APOCALYPTICA *
ARMY OF FRESHMEN
AUDREY HORNE
THE BENDAL INTERLUDE
BIGELF
BLACK SPIDERS
BLITZ KIDS
BOYS WITH X RAY EYES
BOW AND ARROW
BRING ME THE HORIZON *
BURY TOMORROW
CARS ON FIRE
THE CASINO BRAWL
CHICKENHAWK
CKY *
THE CULT *
DEAF HAVANA
DELAIN *
DIR EN GREY *
DON BROCO
THE EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER
ENDLESS DARK
EUROPE
EVILE
FAILSAFE
FAMILY FORCE 5
FASTWAY
FEAR FACTORY
FEI COMODO
FIGHTSTAR
FIREBUG
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
GALLOWS
GENERAL FIASCO
GU MEDICINE
THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND
HEAVEN’S BASEMENT
HENRY ROLLINS (SPOKEN WORD) *
IGGY & THE STOOGES *
INME
JAPANESE VOYEURS
KARNIVOOL *
KATATONIA
KELLERMENSCH
LACUNA COIL *
LIGHTS GO BLUE
LITTLE FISH
LOWER THAN ATLANTIS
MADINA LAKE
MARCH OF THE RAPTORS
ME VS HERO
MÖTLEY CRÜE **
MUNICIPAL WASTE
OUTCRY COLLECTIVE
PAPA ROACH *
PENDULUM
PHILIP SAYCE
PLACEBO *
POLAR BEAR CLUB
RENEGADES
RINOA
RISE TO REMAIN
RSJ
SABATON *
SACRED MOTHER TONGUE
SICK OF IT ALL
SIX HOUR SUNDOWN
SKUNK ANANSIE
SLAM CARTEL
SLAVES TO GRAVITY
SLAYER *
SOULFLY
SYLOSIS
TEK ONE
TERRORVISION
THERAPY? **
THROATS
TOM HOLLISTER TRIO
TURISAS
THE UNION
TURBOWOLF
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
THEWORLDONFIRE
THE XCERTS
VOODOO SIX 
** Only UK performance of 2010
*   Exclusive UK Festival Performance
 
Comedy Line Up So Far:
 
ANDREW O’NEILL
JARRED CHRISTMAS
SEAN HUGHES
TIM MINCHIN
 

Team Sonisphere are getting ready to kick off the 2010 festival with an “eff”-ing brilliant start – a Friday night full of fun, frolics, fancy dress and face-melting rock!

Saturn Stage

This year the Saturn stage will be rocking from early evening with highlights expected from Europe, particularly when they kick into that riff, and from ALICE COOPER in the headliner spot with his full 90 minute Theatre of Death show. Once again proving that he is truly indestructible, expect an ausio-visual treat as Alice dishes out torture and fights off death by hanging, impaling, strangulation and all manner of gruesome visuals, while delivering classic such as “Hey Stoopid”, “Schools Out” and “Poison”. It would be understandable to think that this was enough heroic rock for one evening but you would be wrong. We will be announcing yet another legend next Wednesday who will complete the Friday night line up in their own unique way.

Fancy Dress

The theme for Friday night dress-up this year is Rocky Horror and if you haven’t seen that classic film yet, now is the time to watch it and get some ideas about what to wear. Spot prizes will be given to people who we think have made a special effort. This might include anything from a Sonisphere T-shirt to a trip backstage for a tour.

The Time Warp World Record Attempt

Going along with the Rocky Horror theme, Sonisphere will be making an attempt to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records by having the most people doing the Time Warp. The record currently stands at 4446 which was achieved in Birmingham in June 2000. This will take place at the front of Saturn stage at 6pm. A video showing you how to do the Time Warp will be posted on the Sonisphere website soon so you have plenty of time to practice. There will also be people leading it from the stage. Dress up in style and it could be you!

Bizarre Bohemia

As previously announced, Bizarre – the world’s biggest alternative lifestyle and culture magazine -will be curators of the Bohemia tent on Friday night. Taking over the inside of the big top they will be throwing visual treats onto the walls, roof and screens. Freaky, amazing and jaw-dropping performances will take place overhead, on the stage and in the middle of the crowd. Bands will include TERRORVISON, 65DAYSOFSTATIC, FASTWAY, SYLOSIS, BIGELF and BLACK SPIDERS. The night ends with outrageous Bizarre DJs pumping out the sort of tunes that make you want you to throw yourself around. Come Saturday morning it will all be just a memory so make sure you spend some time in there before it vanishes before your eyes.

Strongbow Bowtime Bar

With bands playing from early evening till 11pm and then prepare to drop to your knees and reach for the sky as Ultimate Power DJs bring their unstoppable juggernaut of power ballads. Bring your air guitar and a single fingerless glove and embrace MEATLOAF, BONNIE TYLER, JENNIFER RUSH and BON JOVI like you never thought possible. There is also a bar. Need we say more?

Jagermeister Stage and Ice Bar

The Jagermeister stage has had a makeover and will be testing out its new sound system with bands playing on till 11pm. Jagermeister also have a new funky Ice Bar which we will tell you more about in future weeks. It is pretty swanky stuff though!

Red Bull Bedroom Jam

The Red Bull Bedroom Jam will be another big top stage and will have bands playing till 11pm. Plans are still being drawn up for the late night slot but we are looking at getting some familiar faces in to do DJ sets. More news on this to follow!

What’s more, Sonisphere is also offering some great deals on travel, including this great news for early arrivals – you can now save money and go greener by rocking up to Knebworth on the Thursday by coach. If you want to make your Sonisphere last as long as possible, an early entry pass will let you set-up camp and enjoy an extra night of festival frivolity before the real noise kicks off on Friday.

Both Big Green Coaches and See are running coach services that will drop you off on the Thursday and pick you up on Monday.

Big Green Coaches are running their early-bird service across all 45 of their pick-up locations, including:

Birkenhead, Birmingham, Bradford, Bridgend, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Chester, Chesterfield, Colchester, Coventry, Crawley, Edinburgh, Exeter, Fareham, Glasgow, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lancaster, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London Victoria, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Newport, Norwich, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton, Stockport, Stoke on Trent, Sunderland, Swansea, Swindon, Taunton and Wolverhampton. What’s more they will plant a tree for every full coach they take to Sonisphere!

See are running early entry coaches from Bristol, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham.

Both operators are offering coach-only passes as well as coach & ticket packages.

More information: (How to get there)

Sonisphere takes place at Knebworth House July 30th – August 1st 2010

Tickets for Sonisphere Knebworth are on sale now at (Sonisphere Festival 2010) – with a full weekend ticket going for just £132.50, no booking fee and a host of exclusive performances there is no better value for UK Festival Fans this summer!

Band Line up so far:

IRON MAIDEN **
RAMMSTEIN *
65DAYSOFSTATIC
AFTER THE ORDEAL
ALICE COOPER *
ALICE IN CHAINS **
ALL FORGOTTEN
AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR
ANTHRAX *
APOCALYPTICA *
AUDREY HORNE
THE BENDAL INTERLUDE
BIGELF
BLACK SPIDERS
BLITZ KIDS
BOYS WITH X RAY EYES
BOW AND ARROW
BRING ME THE HORIZON *
BURY TOMORROW
CARS ON FIRE
THE CASINO BRAWL
CHICKENHAWK
CKY *
THE CULT *
DEAF HAVANA
DELAIN *
DIR EN GREY *
THE EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER
EUROPE
EVILE
FAILSAFE
FAMILY FORCE 5
FASTWAY
FEAR FACTORY
FEI COMODO
FIGHTSTAR
FIREBUG
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
GALLOWS
THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND
HEAVEN’S BASEMENT
HENRY ROLLINS (SPOKEN WORD) *
IGGY & THE STOOGES *
INME
KARNIVOOL *
KATATONIA
KELLERMENSCH
LACUNA COIL *
LITTLE FISH
LOWER THAN ATLANTIS
MADINA LAKE
MARCH OF THE RAPTORS
ME VS HERO
MÖTLEY CRÜE **
MUNICIPAL WASTE
PAPA ROACH *
PENDULUM
PLACEBO *
POLAR BEAR CLUB
RENEGADES
RINOA
RISE TO REMAIN
SABATON *
SICK OF IT ALL
SKUNK ANANSIE
SLAVES TO GRAVITY
SLAYER *
SOULFLY
SYLOSIS
TEK ONE
TERRORVISION
THERAPY? **
THROATS
TURISAS
THE UNION
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
THEWORLDONFIRE
THE XCERTS
** Only UK performance of 2010
* Exclusive UK Festival Performance

Comedy Line Up So Far:

ANDREW O’NEILL
JARRED CHRISTMAS
SEAN HUGHES
TIM MINCHIN

65DAYSOFSTATIC, BLACK SPIDERS, FASTWAY & SYLOSIS join Bohemia stage.

AUDREY HORNE, BOYS WITH X RAY EYES, THE CASINO BRAWL, MARCH OF THE RAPTORS, SLAVES TO GRAVITY, THROATS for Jagermeister Stage.

AFTER THE ORDEAL, BLITZ KIDS, FEI COMODO, LITTLE FISH, LOWER THAN ATLANTIS, CARS ON FIRE & THE XCERTS added to the line up.

ALICE COOPER brings his Theatre of Death to Knebworth. Sonisphere festival Knebworth boasts exclusive headline appearances from IRON MAIDEN and RAMMSTEIN, plus a host of incredible talent such as IGGY & THE STOOGES, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, ALICE COOPER, PENDULUM and more – many of whom you will only see at Knebworth this summer. Now, Sonisphere has announced a further 18 acts, a mix of established favourites and up and coming names from the world of rock. With a wealth of musical, comedic and other entertaining talent on offer, plus free music downloads for every ticket holder, the £132.50 weekend ticket price – which unlike most festivals carries no booking fee is hands down the best value for money out there.
 
First up, Welsh Ragga-Punks SKINDRED return to Knebworth with their exciting blend of metal, punk, rap and reggae. Truly unique, their ability to get everyone in their vicinity moving everywhere they play is testament to the quality of a SKINDRED live show.

Over on Bohemia, additions come in the form of post rock instrumentalists 65DAYSOF STATIC, hotly tipped rockers BLACK SPIDERS, Reading thrash heroes SYLOSIS, and a special appearance from ex-MOTORHEAD guitarist Fast Eddie Clark’s FASTWAY.

On the new-look Jagermeister stage, we can confirm appearances from hardcore grind-punks THROATS, Welsh noise-makers THE BOYS WITH XRAY EYES, harcore rock-types THE CASINO BRAWL, metallic hardcore merchants MARCH OF THE RAPTORS, hard-rock grungers SLAVES TO GRAVITY and Norwegian hard-rockers AUDREY HORNE.
 
Additions on the Red Bull Jam stage come in the form of progressive scream-rockers AFTER THE ORDEAL, northern alt-rockers BLITZ KIDS, the simply stunning FEI COMODO, rock duo LITTLE FISH and melodic hardcore heroes LOWER THAN ATLANTIS, while on the Strongbow Bowtime bar stage, alternative rock types CARS ON FIRE and power-pop rockers THE XCERTS join the line-up.
 
In other news, ALICE COOPER has revealed he will be bringing his Theatre Of Death to Knebworth as part of the Rocky Horror themed party on the Friday. Once again proving that he is truly indestructible, expect an ausio-visual treat as Alicedishes out torture and fights off death by hanging, impaling, strangulation and all manner of gruesome visuals, while delivering classic such as ‘Hey Stoopid’, ‘Schools Out’ and ‘Poison’.
 
Sonisphere takes place at Knebworth House July 30th – August 1st 2010
 
Tickets for Sonisphere Knebworth are on sale now at (www.sonispherefestivals.com) – with a full weekend ticket going for just £132.50, no booking fee and a host of exclusive performances there is no better value for UK Festival Fans this summer!
 
 
Band Line up so far:
 
IRON MAIDEN **
RAMMSTEIN *
65DAYSOFSTATIC
AFTER THE ORDEAL
ALICE COOPER *
ALICE IN CHAINS **
ALL FORGOTTEN
ANTHRAX *
APOCALYPTICA *
AUDREY HORNE
THE BENDAL INTERLUDE
BIGELF
BLACK SPIDERS
BLITZ KIDS
BOYS WITH X RAY EYES
BOW AND ARROW
BRING ME THE HORIZON *
BURY TOMORROW
CARS ON FIRE
THE CASINO BRAWL
CHICKENHAWK
CKY *
THE CULT *
DEAF HAVANA
DELAIN *
DIR EN GREY *
THE EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER
EUROPE
EVILE
FAILSAFE
FAMILY FORCE 5
FASTWAY
FEAR FACTORY
FEI COMODO
FIGHTSTAR
FIREBUG
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
GALLOWS
THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND
HEAVEN’S BASEMENT
HENRY ROLLINS (SPOKEN WORD) *
IGGY & THE STOOGES *
INME
KARNIVOOL *
KATATONIA
KELLERMENSCH
LACUNA COIL *
LITTLE FISH
LOWER THAN ATLANTIS
MADINA LAKE
MARCH OF THE RAPTORS
ME VS HERO
MÖTLEY CRÜE **
MUNICIPAL WASTE
PAPA ROACH *
PENDULUM
PLACEBO *
POLAR BEAR CLUB
RENEGADES
RINOA
RISE TO REMAIN
SABATON *
SICK OF IT ALL
SKUNK ANANSIE
SLAVES TO GRAVITY
SLAYER *
SOULFLY
SYLOSIS
TEK ONE
TERRORVISION
THERAPY? **
THROATS
TURISAS
THE UNION
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
THEWORLDONFIRE
THE XCERTS 
** Only UK performance of 2010
*   Exclusive UK Festival Performance
 
Comedy Line Up So Far:
 
ANDREW O’NEILL
JARRED CHRISTMAS
SEAN HUGHES
TIM MINCHIN

Proving that Download is THE ultimate rock festival with an already phenomenal line-up, another 30 incredible and eclectic acts are confirmed for the year’s most famous and anticipated weekend in rock (11-13 June 2010).

Revelling in its 30-year history of the worlds finest rock music, Donington Park will once again play host to the greatest rock ever! These 30 new acts add even more weight to what is already one of Download’s best line-up’s to date. One of the supreme guitar legends of all time, Slash will step onto the Download stage for the first time as a solo-artist (this will also be his UK live solo debut this year!) – although he has of course played the festival (and Donington) many times before as part of previous bands GUNS ‘N’ ROSES, SNAKEPIT and VELVET REVOLVER. With his first solo album ‘Slash’ out 10 May (preceded by a very special Classic Rock Magazine / Roadrunner “Fan Pack” edition which is out now, which includes the album plus a bonus track not on the standard album), featuring the likes of Dave Grohl, Lemmy, Andrew Stockdale (WOLFMOTHER), all of which are also performing at Download, its anybody’s guess as to whether his live set will feature some special collaborations!

Also announced today are Utah’s THE USED, who first played Download five years ago, new rock super group THE DAMED THINGS (featuring ANTHRAX’s Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano, FALL OUT BOY’s Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley and EVERY TIME I DIE’s Keith Buckley and David Karon), Orange County metalcore gods ATREYU who first played Download in 2006, plus Toronto’s finest, CANCER BATS, who will make their welcomed return to the Download stage.

Download favourites BREED77 will be back for a fourth time, alongside QOTSA drummer Troy Van Leeuwen’s new project SWEETHEAD, the Grammy Award nominated prog-rockers PORCUPINE TREE, Download 2009 Tuborg Stage openers NO AMERICANA, metal / rap fusion innovators SENSER, Pennsylvanian hard rockers HALESTORM, metal stage destroyers NONPOINT, underground metal heroes AS I LAY DYING, the platinum selling and hard touring FLYLEAF, the LA based rockers WHITE WIZARD, ska-punk favourites ZEBRAHEAD, LA hair metal rising stars ROCK SUGAR and HANOI ROCKS vocalist, Finnish rock musican Matti Fagerholm, who will take to the Download stage with his band MICHAEL MONROE – which also features Ginger from The WILDHEARTS on guitar.

If that isn’t enough, LA metallers HOLY GRAIL have been added to the bill, plus STRAIGHT LINES, TIGER PLEASE, and REVOKER (adding to the Welsh contingent already playing this year’s Download), Brit alt-rockers YOUNG GUNS, the reformed and back in business TYKETTO, hotly tipped LA band YEAR LONG DISASTER, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER (literally translated as Horsemen of the Apocalypse), cult hard rockers ENUFF Z’NUFF, UK metallers PANIC CELL and GLAMOUR OF THE KILL and Swiss industrial metallers SYBREED are all set to bring something truly unique to the Download line up.

These 30 acts join headliners AC/DC, RATM and AEROSMITH plus many more in what will be not only be the greatest rock festival this year but the ultimate festival experience at the legendary home of rock, Donington Park.

Day and weekend tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from (Download Festival) Limited RIP packages are also still available.

BENEDICTION, WITCHSORROW, ENFORCER,
KILLING MACHINE and STEELWING

BENEDICTION will be returning to BOA to deliver a deadly dose of death metal that will shake the very foundations of Catton Hall. A leading name in the underground metal scene since 1989 and are one of the most successful international metal bands to come out of this country. Also returning to the Blookstock fold are British doom metallers WITCHSORROW, who impressed all in attendance during their set at a packed out Unsigned stage at BOA 2008. Now signed and with an album due out on Rise Above Records on 12th April, the band look forward to spreading their doom and gloom in the summer sun.

Bloodstock is renowned for being THE festival to introduce the hottest new metal bands to the UK and this year is no exception. Joining BENEDICTION on the Sophie Lancaster stage all making their debut UK festival appearances – will be Swedish speed metallers ENFORCER, hotly tipped thrash revivalists STEELWING and metal supergroup KILLING MACHINE, which features EVERGREY/STRATOVARIOUS bassplayer Jari Kainulainen and legendary former SLAYER/TESTAMENT drummer Jon Dette.

Band linp up so far:

Main stage

HEAVEN & HELL, TWISTED SISTER, CHILDREN OF BODOM, FEAR FACTORY
BLOODBATH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, DEVIN TOWNSEND, BEHEMOTH,
GOJIRA, AMORPHIS, SONATA ARCTICA, GORGOROTH, GWAR,
KORPIKLAANI, OBITUARY, EDGUY, DORO, HOLY MOSES,
SUFFOCATION, ENSIFERUM, RAGE, ROSS THE BOSS (WITH SCOTT COLUMBUS),
SWALLOW THE SUN, LEAVES EYES, BLACK SPIDERS, ANDROMEDA, SNAKEBITE,

Sophie Lancaster stage

ENFORCER, KILLING MACHINE, STEELWING, BENEDICTION, WITCHSORROW with more to be announced.

For all information on Bloodstock and to buy your tickets go to:

(Bloodstock)

Bringing their unique style to Sonisphere as IRON MAIDEN’s special guests are Australian dance rock outfit PENDULUM. Since forming in 2002 PENDULUM have enjoyed a rapid ascension due to their new and original sound and individual take on dance and rock. A defining headline performance at Glastonbury’s Dance Stage last year saw them arguably become the biggest act on the underground, cementing their rise with the Radio 1 A-listed single ‘Propane Nightmares’ that saw the band leap into the mainstream. With a UK Number 2 album under their belts and a new studio offering set for May 2010, this PENDULUM continues to swing higher and higher.

Last year Sonisphere brought you the exclusive return of grunge legends ALICE IN CHAINS to the UK. So good was their performance, we just had to have them back, and we’re delighted to confirm this hugely exciting addition to Sonisphere 2010. One of the most successful music acts of the 1990s, selling over 17 million albums worldwide, the band achieved two number-one Billboard 200 albums, 14 top ten songs on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and seven Grammy Award nominations. After the tragic death of frontman Layne Staley in 2002 the band reunited in 2005 with new lead vocalist William Duvall, releasing ‘Black Gives Way to Blue’ last year – their first studio album in 14 years, rapturously received by fans and media alike, and receiving the accolade of best album Of 2009 in several end of year polls. That AIC have continued to impress and overwhelm music fans in the face of tragedy and extended hiatus is testament to their greatness, and their return to Sonisphere Knebworth for their only UK show of 2010 is a more than welcome one.

Since 1994, LACUNA COIL have been at the forefront of gothic-infused metal, evolving and honing their craft and becoming one of the most successful bands in their genre, and so it is with a very warm welcome they join the ranks of Sonisphere’s 2010 bill.

With five studio albums under their belt and a solid worldwide fan base they are sure to be a firm crowd favourite at this year’s festival. Having enlisted the help of Don Gilmore (LINKIN PARK) on their latest opus entitled, ‘Shallow Life,’ they are set to cement their reputation as one of the premier melodic metal bands. The album has marked the band’s highest Billboard chart entry, as well as the highest Billboard debut in the history of Century Media Records in the USA by hitting the US Billboard Top 200 charts at #16. ‘Shallow Life’ also went straight into the official album charts in Italy, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Greece and here in the UK.

Irish-noiseniks THERAPY? will be making history at Knebworth this year by playing their classic album ‘Troublegum’ in its entirety to commemorate their 20-year anniversary, at their only UK show of 2010. Undoubtedly the most commercially successful album in the band’s career so far, the album sold in excess of ¾ Million albums, reaching number 5 in the UK Charts and featuring no less than five top 40 singles. Having just completed the recording of their first official live album – captured at three shows at Londons Water Rats on March 29th, 30th, and 31st – set for release this summer, fans will have a chance to see the real deal at Knebworth, as the chart topping three-piece work their way through classics such as ‘Screamager’, ‘Nowhere’, ‘Trigger Inside’ and ‘Die Laughing’ at this exclusive performance.

J-Rock superstars DIR EN GREY bring their creative and visionary metal force field to Knebworth this year, at their only UK performance of 2010. Having last year completed a mammoth world tour taking in Asia, Europe, South America, and North America, the band are gearing up to release a live DVD taken from the last of these shows at Tokyo’s legendary Budokan Hall entitled ‘UROBOROS -with the proof in the name of living…’ out May 2010.

A year shy of their memorable headline set at last year’s Bloodstock festival, Sweden’s biggest hard rock band EUROPE will join the Sonisphere cast, hot on the heel’s of their critically acclaimed studio album ‘Last Look At Eden’ which features the singles ‘New Love In Town’ and the title track.

If the rave reviews earned from their headline set at the BOA event are anything to go by, their set promises to be one of the festival highlights, as the band perform songs from their new album including ‘The Beast’, ‘No Stone Unturned’ and ‘Gonna Get Ready’, as well as classics including ‘Rock The Night’, ‘Superstitious’, ‘Scream of Anger’, and of course, ‘The Final Countdown’.

Sheffield rockers TERRORVISION will also be making their only UK appearance of 2010 at this year’s Sonisphere. With three Top 40 albums and twelve Top 40 singles in their CV, TERRORVISION were one of the forerunners of the 90’s Britrock explosion. The Bradford four-piece were impossible to ignore, with heavy radio play and Top Of The Pops appearances spreading the Terror-mania during the duration of the last decade of last millennium. Recently regrouping, and with a new album planned for 2011, what happens next is yet to be seen, but for now festival goers can take delight as Tony Wright and company deliver hits such as ‘My House’, ‘Oblivion’, ‘Alice What’s The Matter?’ and ‘Tequila’ at Knebworth this summer.

New York legends and original kings of the circle pit SICK OF IT ALL will bring an aggression injection to the Sonisphere ranks with their infectiously catchy hardcore. The band’s real life dogma and hunger for excellence as a hardcore band have truly been ideals that fans from all corners of the globe passionately admire and identify with. Originally formed by brothers Lou and Pete Koller in the mid-’80s, SOIA set the tone of their music and ideology by offering a no-frills view of the world around them. Often revolving around politics, social injustices and life on the streets in New York, the band wear their views on their sleeve and make no apologies, often times attempting to turn the tables to include a thread of positivity, a hope for change and improvement.

Party-Thrash metallers MUNICIPAL WASTE from Richmond, Virginia are another welcome addition to the Sonisphere line-up this year promising a high octane, debauched show at this exclusive festival performance. Fast, furious and funny, each of MUNICIPAL WASTE’s super-short songs is a memorable anthem to post-apocalyptic mutants, beer; thrash music…. or, indeed, all of the above. The bands dedication to their art is deadly serious, yet they are not afraid to bring the fun back into hardcore – expect beer bongs, body boards and bedlam.

Huddersfield Thrashers EVILE join this year’s Sonisphere Knebworth line up, bringing with them a whirlwind of breakneck metal. Founded by old school friends Matt Drake and Ben Carter and signing to Earache Records in 2006, the band have gone from strength to strength. After the tragic passing of bassplayer Mike Alexanderwhile on tour in Sweden in October 2009, the band made the tough decision to soldier on after holding two memorial nights for their fallen comrade.

Bright, Brit-metal hopefuls RISE TO REMAIN are returning to Sonisphere this year after a buzzworthy debut. Since then they have accumulated tours with TRIVIUM, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, SHADOWS FALL and THE HAUNTED under their belts and are suitably primed and ready for more festival action.

Lastly, it is with great pleasure that we announce the debut festival performance by RENEGADES, a band more recognisable by nature than by name, so we won’t reveal too much about them here – their songs say all you’ll need to know about them.

Tickets for Sonisphere Knebworth are available from:

(Sonisphere Knebworth)

With a full weekend ticket going for just £132.50, no booking fee and a host of exclusive performances there is no better value for UK Festival Fans this summer!

Line up so far:

IRON MAIDEN **
RAMMSTEIN *
ALICE COOPER *
ALICE IN CHAINS **
ANTHRAX *
APOCALYPTICA *
IGGY & THE STOOGES *
LACUNA COIL *
MÖTLEY CRÜE **
THE CULT *
DIR EN GREY *
EUROPE
FEAR FACTORY
SICK OF IT ALL
SLAYER *
HENRY ROLLINS (SPOKEN WORD) *
BRING ME THE HORIZON *
MADINA LAKE
EVILE
FAMILY FORCE 5
FIGHTSTAR
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
GALLOWS
SKUNK ANANSIE
TERRORVISION **
THERAPY? **
MUNICIPAL WASTE
PAPA ROACH *
PENDULUM
PLACEBO *
RENEGADES
RISE TO REMAIN

** Only UK performance of 2010
* Exclusive UK Festival Performance

Thursday

Arriving late on Thursday, the only band who caught the eye were the excellent BEHOLDER (4.6/5.0), who picked up where they left off at the Bloodstock festival last summer. Their meat and potato brand of British metal was lapped up by the early arrivals. Debut album ‘The Awakening’ was one of the finest releases of 2009, and live, the songs kicked just as much ass as they do through your hifi.

Friday

With TONY MARTIN’s HEADLESS CROSS absent without leave, the first major band to hit the main stage on Friday were Dutch symphonic metal masters EPICA (4.1/5.0). Vocalist Simone Simons leads the band with charisma, and a voice to rival any. The screams of Mark Jansen add a heavy twist to the sound, making EPICA a fiercer animal than the likes of NIGHTWISH, a band who could have done a lot worse than approach Simone Simons to be their new singer.

Managing to squeeze in a quick trip to the second stage where Reading based metallers MALEFICE (3.8/5.0) were tearing up the place, these guys have energy to burn and with a willing crowd at their mercy with mosh pits and headbanging literally everywhere you turned, they played an energetic set with the highlight being a dedication to the legendary Dimebag, with a cover of PANTERA’s ‘I’m Broken’.

After the bombastic nature of both EPICA’s and MALEFICE’s performance, the slow melancholic plod of KATATONIA (3.8/5.0) didn’t exactly keep spirits high, but for the crowd that had turned up to watch these doomers in action, they played a decent set, despite it being starved of older material, in favour of playing the more recent tracks like ‘My Twin’ and ‘Soil’s Song’, whilst the brilliant new album, ‘Night Is The New Day’ got a run out with the highlights being the imporessive duo of ‘Forsaker’ and ‘Liberation’. While they are not everyone’s cup of tea, this type of music in my opinion always tends to come across better in more intimate venues, where the die hard fans are in attendance.

Headline act DEVILDRIVER (4.5/5.0) have built up quite a reputation as a live band that every metal fan must see. On tonight’s evidence, it’s easy to see why. DEVILDRIVER’s full throttle brand of modern day thrash metal grabs you firmly by the throat, and doesn’t let you go – that is, ’till they leave the stage. The pummeling ‘End of the Line’ is a prime example of DEVILDRIVER’s power, with frontman Dez Fafara whipping the crowd into a mosh pit frenzy – certainly, not for the faint hearted.

Meanwhile, on the 2nd stage, CONQUEST OF STEEL (3.7/5.0) were doing their best MANOWAR impression. Holding swords to the wind, the British five piece ripped through an enjoyable set of classic heavy metal, which included a quick fire cover of DIO’s ‘Holy Diver’. This is a band who are never going to headline a show outside of a pub, and they’re never going to give a shit about that. This is a band that eat, breathe, and sleep metal, and being on stage for them is like a pig rolling round in a heap of muck. If you’re not into metal, leave the hall!

Left to clean up the scene of destruction on the main stage were FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH (4.4/5.0), a band who were quite a surprise choice so high up on the bill, given the relatively limited experience. However, with another ferocious performance, nobody gained a rest following the brutality of fellow American buddies DEVILDRIVER and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH showed exactly why they are getting talked about so much.

Although not quite as intense as DEVILDRIVER, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is still bloody heavy, combining the formula of popular nu-metal, with the guitar playing of classic metal. The excellent ‘Salvation’ was a stand out, while a unique cover of ‘Bad Company’ (originally by, yes you guessed it, BAD COMPANY) went down very well with the crowd. With FFDP returning to play the Download Festival in June, their popularity is only going to rise further and therefore, expect to hear a lot more from these boys in the future.

Closing the Friday night proceedings on the main stage were Brummie grind legends NAPALM DEATH (4.0/5.0). A surprisingly large crowd remained for their post midnight performance, and such fanatics were treated to a typical Napalm performance of pure, uncompromising, noise! Laced with the humour of frontman Barney Greenway, the set included songs spanning the entire 29 year history of the band. Blink, and you’d have missed some of them!

With Prestatyn still bleeding from a night of such intense metal, it was back to the chalet to recharge the batteries for more of the same.

Saturday

The first band of note on Saturday were FURY UK (4.4/5.0), featuring guitar wizzkid Chris Appelton. After impressing on tour with MICHAEL SCHENKER just before Christmas, the band were welcome by a healthy crowd, who lapped up the rifftastic set. FURY UK’s music is very much metal at it’s purest, with the fantastic ‘Death By Lightning’ giving their set a bombastic climax, with Appelton at the forefront with enough tricks on the guitar to make Yngwie Malmsteen look ordinary.

Soon after FURY UK, a band by the name of THE SHINING (0.1/5.0) took to the stage, and proceeded to play one of the worst sets I have ever seen. I can’t even begin to call it music, because whatever the hell they were playing sounded like a bunch of crazy school kids let loose in a music shop.

American old school metalheads WHITE WIZZARD (4.5/5.0) were up next, and had to be one of the surpirse packages of the weekend. Their retro metal music reminds very much of ‘Number of the Beast’ era IRON MAIDEN, complete with dual guitars, wailing vocals, and that all important galloping bass. The awesome ‘Iron Goddess of Vengeance’ was one of the musical highlights of the whole weekend.

The evergreen PANIC CELL (4.0/5.0) were up next, delivering a typical solid set, for which they have been relied upon by many a festival organiser. This is a band who are happy to play anywhere, anytime, and always look like they’re enjoying their metal. Although they don’t quite have what it takes to take the next step to metal stardom, PANIC CELL are an enjoyable band, and in the world filled with bullshit like The X Factor, it’s great to see a band who’re still willing to knuckle down, and earn musical respect the hard way.

With only one more band to go on Stage Two, it was over to the main stage to see Scot rockers ATTICA RAGE (4.0/5.0) rip through a few of their choice cuts. Vocalist Jonny Parr limited vocal range means that ATTICA RAGE’s music never goes over the top, and their stripped down, yet spirited blend of classic metal works very well in the live environment. An ambitious cover of IRON MAIDEN’s ‘Fear of the Dark‘ was unsurprinsgly the most popular moment of their set, but lets hope the crowd remember ATTICA RAGE for more than that!

Next on stage were British doom stalwarts ORANGE GOBLIN (4.3/5.0), complete with new look frontman Ben Ward, now free of the extremely long hair he was waving around at HAMMERFEST I a year ago. Ward’s look might have changed, but his sound, and that of his band, is exactly the same, and why would you want it any other way? The likes of ‘Blue Snow’, and set closer ‘Scorpionica’ are doom metal classics, and no band could give them songs the sludge groove that ORANGE GOBLIN do. As last year, ORANGE GOBLIN were terrific, and remain one of the great forbidden fruits of the metal underground.

It was now time for all metal purists to leave the room. The reggae infused music played by SKINDRED will always divide metal fans. For me, whereas I certainly wouldn’t enjoy playing a SKINDRED CD in my car, I do always enjoy their live shows. Excitable frontman Benji Webbe is a real pleasure to watch, and somehow, he manages to get the crowd to put in as much energy to a SKINDRED show as he does himself. Pontins was absolutely bouncing for the whole show, and I have to admit that by the end of it, I may be a converted disciple.

Having been spotted on site as early as Friday afternoon, ICED EARTH (4.8/5.0) must have been chomping at the bit to get on stage for their Saturday night headline slot. The sound for ICED EARTH was crystal clear, and this helped enhance what was an immaculate performance, choreographed to perfection.

An hour set is never going to be long enough for a band of ICED EARTH’s stature, but they did use the time to good effect, with minimal breaks between songs. The highlight of the show was a rare performance of the majestic ‘Watching Over Me’ – a song with emotional feeling, unrivalled by any other metal song. Signature track ‘Iced Earth’ closed what was a fantastic performance by the band of the weekend. Guitarist and band leader Jon Schaffer promised the band would be back for their first ‘proper’ UK tour in the near future. That will be simply unmissable!

Following the ICED EARTH opus, the stage was ambushed by thrash crossover titans SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, lead by charismatic frontman Mike Muir. With ‘You Can’t Bring Me Down’, SUICIDAL made a ferocious entry into the arena, and the intensity of their show never fizzled out.

Over on the 2nd stage, Swedish Black metal band DARK FUNERAL (3.6/5.0) were doing the best to try to scare the couple of hundred fans who considered them more appealing than SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. The music of DARK FUNERAL is about as typical as black metal gets, with hyper speed distorted melodies, constant blast beatdrums, and completely intellible vocals. Frontman Emperos Magus Caligula is dressed up like something out of He-Man (I’m thinking skeletor), although he’s one huge geezer, so I’ll leave the piss taking at that.

Given the late night closing slot on the main stage were power metal band SABATON (4.1/5.0), following up on their well received performance at the Bloodstock festival last summer, as well as several UK dates with genre trail blazers DRAGONFORCE. With the crowd obviously well stocked on caffeine, SABATON’s Swedish blend of power metal once again went down very well with the UK metalheads. An excellent band to bring down the curtain on another excellent weekend in Prestatyn.

With plenty of summer festivals on the horizon, December may seem a million miles away at the moment. However, tickets are selling like hot cakes for the next Prestatyn show down, HARD ROCK HELL IV. If you fancy a beer soaked weekend of metal madness, don’t hesitate to buy a ticket. Prestatyn might not be the be all and end all, but it sure knows how to put on one hell of a metal party!

Festival Rating : 4.8/5.0

Photography by Alexander Shaw

(Hammerfest II Friday)

(Hammerfest II Saturday)

Friday:

AEROSMITH
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
MOTÖRHEAD
BILLY IDOL
CINDERELLA
SAXON
RATT
DOMMIN
STONE SOUR
AIRBOURNE
STEEL PANTER
DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN
AUGUST BURNS RED
WHITECHAPEL        

 
Download Festival 2010 ticket prices
Weekend Tickets – £145 Camping
Day Tickets – £75 (Camping not available with these tickets)
Standard or Family Camping (3 days) – £25
Standard or Family Camping (5 days) – £35
Campervan supplement – £40
Campsite Lockers – £11
Advance Parking (until 31 May) – £15 / On The Day £20
 
For all other ticket options, prices and information go to –

(DownloadFestival)