I spent this weekend at Donington Park at the Download Festival. Rather than write up my thoughts on the festival, I've 'employed' some guest bloggers to do their reviews of the festival.
Here's the first from Jonboy:
"Download 2007 - three days, ninety-six bands and four muppets with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of beer, donuts and burritos to bring you all the reviews...
Friday
Megadeth
So I was a bit worried about seeing Megadeth. Whilst their early stuff is still some of my favourite metal, they had recently turned out a number of really sub-standard albums. Still, the last album indicated a bit of a return to form, so I was happy to give them a go. Anyway -turns out I needn't have worried. Megadeth rocked Donnington with a mixture of mainly 'Rust in Peace' material and some new stuff - whilst deftly avoiding the numerous duds that now little their back catalog.They were awesome and the crowd loved 'em. 9/10
Dragonforce
My big concern with Dragonforce was whether their blisteringly fast playing would just end up distorted and muddied coming out of the main stage and sadly that was often the case. The guitarist from Hong Kong was amazing, and I suspect the other guitarist was too - but I couldn't hear him properly. Still - despite that they did great - I'd just like to see them in a smaller venue with better sound. 7/10
Paramour
Me and Tim's trip to get some beer lead us in to see Paramour in the Dimebag Stage. Pretty middle of the road emo punk band from the States with a pop sound that I'm sure will prove a big hit with angst ridden teenagers everywhere. Anyway - they were going down pretty well - but not really my cup of tea. 7/10
Hayseed Dixie
Having heard a couple Hayseed Dixie rock song covers in their trademark country and western style, I thought they would be a 'must see' of the festival. However, after arriving outside the tent and listening to a couple of their songs the novelty factor soon wore off and I decided to go elsewhere. A couple of rock tracks done in a country style is amusing. A whole concert? Hmmm..... 6/10
Velvet Revolver
I quite like Velvet Revolver's album - it's pretty good. But they really need to sort their stage show out. They were weak at Live 8 and they were weak here too. Lead singer Scott Weiland comes over not so much as a rebel but more as a complete prat. The world has moved on from Guns and Roses and The Stone Temple Pilots. Velvet Revolver need to move on as well. 7/10
My Chemical Romance
It's easy to see why no one likes MCR. Their manufactured image is that of the outsider, of the kid that doesn't fit in. The irony is that they seem to want to play that image alongside being an extremely successful rock band. And the result is that they just come over as being somehow phoney. And lead singer Gerard Way doesn't help with all his preaching about how he feels the pain of not fitting in. For all that the music was fine, although again they didn't endear themselves to the crowd by not playing a full set. 7/10
Saturday
Anathema
Otherwise known as 'the band that turned up by mistake' - fronted by three Mick Hucknall look-a-likes. Actually they weren't too bad, but by no feat of the imagination were they heavy metal. They did finish of the set with a rousing rendition of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails -although sung very much like the Johnny Cash version. 7/10
Lez Zeppelin
A Led Zeppelin cover band consisting of four lesbians sounds like a bit of a gimmick. But these gals from New York sounded fantastic. In fact it wasn't until I heard them that I realised how suited Led Zepplin is to a female vocalist, especially during the semi-improvised voices parts such as in the middle of 'Whole Lotta Love'. They were great and I could have listened to them for much longer than the half-an-hour they were given. 9/10
Bowling for Soup
Seems every festival has one - the average band who's inter-song banter is like a second show going on at the same time. These guys reminded me a bit of 'NOFX' at Reading - the band who famously had an argument on stage when one of the songs ground to a halt half-way through. The songs were your average punk-rock fare, but the guys infectious sense of fun and pursuit of 'boobies' had the crowd on side from the start. 7/10
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson was pretty much exactly what I expected. And you get the impression that his shows normally involve a lot of theatrics. However, stripped of a large part of that on a festival stage you felt you were only getting a part of the Manson experienced. Still he rocked along nicely and kept the crowd entertained. 7/10.
Linkin Park
Linkin Park were a bit of a last minute decision over the "Motley Crue for a laugh" alternative. Three quite different albums had got me wondering if I actually liked Linkin Park's sound. Or indeed what that sound actually was. But their performance was excellent. And although I sensed they were a bit nervous at the start, by the end I was thoroughly satisfied that I had opted for them over The Crue. Plus the lead singer IS my mate Peanut. Great stuff. 8/10
Sunday
Papa Roach
I love Papa Roach and their set certainly didn't disappoint. Front-man Jacoby Shaddix certainly knows how to work the crowd and put so much effort in, that despite their early billing, they soon had the crowd jumping around with them. Even if some of the more elderly members of the crowd (Tim) were complaining that it was too early in the day to be doing anything energetic! Great. 8/10.
Devil Driver
Whilst being a bit heavier than I normally like, Devil Driver already had the Dimbag Stage going mental by the time we got there. Not satisfied with the two cycle-pits he had going already, front-man Dez Fafara decided it would be fun to clear a huge open area in front of the stage and then let half the audience charge into it when the last song started. Not surprisingly the ensuing mosh was carnage. Ever-caring Dez did issue a would of caution - "If someone falls over- pick them up." Thanks Dez. 7/10
Orange Goblin
I was actually outside the Dimebag stage having a drink with Tim when I overhead this band and decided to check them out. Inside the tent they sounded great, with a kind of Motorhead meets Black Sabbath type sound. Gotta say - one of the 'discoveries' of the weekend. 8/10
Paradise Lost
My mate Pit once told me that all the best Goth-rock bands come from Yorkshire. Hmm... you sure about that? Paradise Lost really need to ditch their front man Nick Holmes. He's just useless. I know it's Goth and he's not supposed to be the most cheerful bloke in the tent - but seriously - the guy has all the charisma of a soggy donut. That, coupled with the fact you could barely hear him for half the set, made his presence on stage doubly pointless. The rest of the band did fine, pumping out their middle-of-the-road goth-rock sound. 7/10
Within Temptation
...and welcome to Oly, who I guarantee has just scrolled down past all the other reviews to read this one first. (Hello BTW). Okay - here's the deal - I think they were just unlucky. What ever the technical problem that delayed them playing and reduced their set to fifteen minutes was, I am sure that would have played more if they could. I have to confess that my already battered ears couldn't pick out any problems with their sound, and indeed the songs they did play I thought sounded great. 9/10
Evanescence
Ok - here is my problem with Evanescence. Wrong band, on the wrong stage, at the wrong time. Evanescence should have headlined the Dimebag Darell Stage - that place is smaller, better suited and had a great atmosphere - and I am sure they would have gone down a absolute storm as alternative to Maiden playing on the main stage. Hell even the soggy donut front man of Paradise Lost managed to get the crowd going in there and Evanescence were waaaay better than them.
However, by going on the main stag as warm up to Maiden, they had a large, hostile crowd to win over - a large proportion of whom were there only to see Maiden anyway. And you could tell that they were on the defensive from the start with comments from Amy Lee herself about whether they deserved to be there.
That said the set was flawless and sounded great. It's just half the crowd weren't interested. Still... 8/10.
Iron Maiden
What can you say. Maiden playing at home. They rock. We loved 'em. 9/10."
A couple of points on Jonboy's review:
- Firstly, for those of us actually in the tent for Hayseed Dixie, the audience lapped it up. As the band pointed out it's unlikely that any other band would get away with playing both Download and the Cambridge Folk Festival in the same year...
- Secondly, thus far the members of Lez Zepplin have carefully avoided answering questions on their sexuality. The band's name, may just be a clever play on words...
- I have to agree with Jonboy that Evanescence would probably have been better headlining on the Dimball Stage - I for one would have chosen them over Maiden! (They and My Chemical Romance were my main reasons for attending Download. Are those cries of "Sacrilege!" I hear?)
"Yeah great weekend. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute. So good to let our hair down :)
Back to the daily grind today has been a shock to the system. I should have had 5 pints, 2 hotdogs and 5 dognuts by now.
Here are some comments on the bands I think I saw...
Paramore
- erm, can barely remember now but it was great to get some early atmosphere from that stage with the bar conveniently placed - nice one
Megadeth
- Job done with some precision playing and a alternate mix of new stuff and favourites from Rust in Peace and Peace Sells.... Could have done with a longer set and I would definitely like to see them on tour. Possibly deserved to be higher up the lineup.
Dragonforce
- Didn't disappoint in reproducing the fast licks from the album with some showmanship thrown in from the Hong Kong guitarist. Great vocals as well.
Velvet Revolver
- Was fairly hammered by the time they took to the stage so can't remember much. Seem to recall Slash & co. doing a good job as always.
My Chemical Romance
- A bit squeaky clean, a bit all over the place and not enough material to headline. Not particularly impressed.
As I Lay Dying
- erm, can't remember.
Anathema
- Daft name, take themselves too seriously and some dubious Mick Hucknall haircuts. Nice vocals from Mick's Mum though. They can play but I would never listen to them.
Lez Zeppelin
- oh yes. Definitely good viewing close up and you can feel the hormones coming off the stage. Great renditions of the old classics. Shame they didn't get longer. Would like to see live again....soon :) One of the Saturday highlights.
Bowling for Soup
- definitely what you need during a festival, especially after Anathema. A bit of American rock interspersed with light-hearted banter and a booby show. Great stuff.
Marilyn Manson
- Chick band.
Linkin Park
- Started off a bit ropey but definitely improved and were probably one of the best acts on all weekend. Great variety and vocals with solid backing. Damn good. The first band I listened to on the way home.
Papa Roach
- The up tempo tracks are great. Stay clear of the slower ones. 10/10 for effort though. The lead really goes for it and good to see him giving something back to the crowd.
Devil Driver
- Best orchestrated mosh up of the weekend. "If someone goes down, pick the f**ker up". Great entertainment, from a safe distance :)
Orange Goblin
- not bad. Worth a listen.
Paradise Lost
- Lost momentum in between tracks but also not bad. Didn't really entertain.
Within Temptation
- Shame they lost time up front and had to cut the set short. Despite that, were loved by the faithful fans.
Evanescence
- I guess you either like 'em or you don't. Too much of the same for my liking and a nervous performance didn't help. They did better than most will probably give them credit for.
Iron Maiden
- well you know you're getting with Maiden and they didn't disappoint. Plenty of the older stuff thrown in although it's a little predictable. Total carnage up front and managed to get within about 6 people of the barrier - I've now decided this is the only way to see Maiden. A true headline act which I think we're running a bit short of these days."
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