Download Festival 2007 - Saturday
9 June 2007
Donington Park
Turisas at 11am, what a start to the day! The new album may not be out yet but To Holmgard & Beyond has made its way onto enough free magazine samplers to have the crowd down the front singing along. Stomping around the stage in their traditional fur skins and red war paint, the Finn`s are keen to show of material from The Varangian Way, with In The Court Of Jarisleif up next. The song was pretty frantic, with much use of fiddle and accordion, until an amusing break down which sees the whole band lying around the stage in mock drunken tears, with Warlord Nygård crying into a bottle of vodka. There`s no let up in the entertainment with Olli Vänskä taking centre stage for his "F**k guitar solos" campaign and a frenzied attack of electric violin. "Herman Li and friends, your days are numbered!" warned Vänskä.
The Warlord asks us "Download is a disco festival right?" before the band launch into their triumphant, but unlikely cover of Boney M`s Rasputin. Warlord tells us that the term Battle Metal has been used a lot of late but Turisas are the only Battle Metal band, as he led his troops into the song of the same name. Unfortunately the band`s 25minutes were up, but this brief appearance saw Turisas on conquering form.
Turisas set list:
To Holmgard & Beyond / In The Court Of Jarisleif / Rasputin / Battle Metal
The second stage may have been named after his brother, but there`s little fanfare about the return of Vinnie Paul. A chant of his name and an introduction from singer Chad Gray is fittingly respectful. I had been expecting Hellyeah! to be a bit one dimensional, but their well paced set was hugely enjoyable. The band`s metal logo looked like a sign for a ranch and the Texan look of the band was complimented by blistering sunshine. The power of the band`s opening three songs created a pair of circle pits and led us to a storming cover of Queen`s Stone Cold Crazy - re-titled Stone Cold Wasted. An acoustic guitar on a stand indicated Alcohaulin` Ass was next and it wasn`t too early to hold a pint aloft. You Wouldn`t Know finished a strong set with fans clamouring to catch Vinnie Paul`s drumsticks.
Hellyeah! set list:
Hell Yeah / Matter Of Time / GodDamn / Stone Cold Wasted / Alcohaulin` Ass / You Wouldn't Know
The heavy riffing of Hellyeah! had been perfect for a festival P.A., however in contrast the intricacies of Shadows Fall were much harder to pick out. Spurred on by watching the whole of Turisas` set at the side of the stage, vocalist Brian Fair was full of life, his ridiculously long dreads spraying out like a frenzied octopus. Guitarist Matthew Bachand`s clean vocals added melody to What Drives The Weak with the crowd bouncing in unison. Thoughts Without Words took us back to breakthrough album The Art Of Balance, but it`s obvious the band is keen to show off new platter Threads Of Life with three inclusions. Of those, closer Redemption, with its huge hook of a chorus is the one to get the crowd going with another huge circle pit. After all that aggression it was comical to see the band depart to the theme from Benny Hill!
Shadows Fall set list:
The Light The Binds / Burning The Lives / Thoughts Without Words / What Drives The Weak / Venomous / Redemption
There followed a bit of a gap in my schedule and we decided to head over to the Dimebag stage and take a break on the banking whilst watching some metalcore on the screens. Behind us the Red Bull X-Fighters motorcyclists were putting on a very entertaining display of stunt riding. Meanwhile, Bring Me The Horizon were tearing another a**ehole in those gathered in the tent.
Bring Me The Horizon set list:
Pray For Plagues / A Lot Like Vegas / Liquor And Love Lost / Tell Slater Not To Wash His Dick / Traitors Never Play Hangman / (I Used To Make Out With) Medusa / For Stevie Wonders Eyes Only
Next up were San Diego Christians As I Lay Dying, not that there seems to be anything charitable about their furious approach. I confess to enjoying them more when vocalist Tim Lambesis` barking ceased, however there was a sizeable collection of flailing limbs indicating their set was a success.
As I Lay Dying set list:
Confined / Reflection / 94 Hours / The Truth Of My Perception / Empty Hearts / Distance Is Darkness / Forever
I`d been hugely anticipating catching Anathema again, though they appeared to catch the soundman off guard, with Download Radio still playing over the P.A. as Fragile Dreams came to life. Quickly the unintended backing is silenced and the majestic opener lifts the crowd. Vincent Cavanagh headed back by the drum riser to play keyboards and sing through a vocoder for the hypnotic Closer, with its warm sound. Whilst there are three Cavanagh brothers across the front of the stage, the appearance of drummer John Douglas`s sister Lee ensures a family affair. Of all the female vocalists appearing at Download this weekend, Lee is the one that has the power and passion to stop an audience in their tracks, with a stunning trade of vocals on A Natural Disaster with Vincent. Heartstrings are continued to be pulled by Judgement, before a turn of pace with Panic. Finishing up with a cover of Nine Inch Nails` Hurt, as immortalised by Johnny Cash, the fact that Anathema currently have no record deal is ridiculous. Vincent announced that the band will be recording a new album this summer, which would sound nothing like anything we`d heard today.
Anathema set list:
Fragile Dreams / Closer / A Natural Disaster / Judgement / Panic / Hurt
There's a massive buzz about Gallows right now, so its no surprise to see the Dimebag tent packed with a mixture of fans and curious on-lookers. Indeed, the photo pit is closed due to being swamped with photographers. So do Gallows live up to the hype? Well certainly not in my eyes. The bands brand of punk maybe not my cup of tea but it`s still difficult to see what the fuss is about. 'This song's about how s**t girls are' snarls Frank Carter. Charming!
Gallows set list:
Abandon Ship / Come Friendly Bombs / Rolling With The Punches / Six Years / In The Belly Of The Shark / Orchestra Of Wolves
Again, knowing the Black Crusade later this year also features Machine Head, I make the decision to watch My Dying Bride which turned out to be an error. Maybe it`s because the tent is half empty but the Yorkshire misery merchants just didn't seem up for it. Aaron Stainthorpe was wrapped around his mic stand bawling about Catherine Blake but it just wasn't convincing. The Cry of Mankind lifts the gloom, but it`s a miserable performance and not for the right reasons.
My Dying Bride set list included:
Catherine Blake / Cry Of Mankind / The Dreadful Hours
I have to confess that Slayer bored me rigid. They appear at the summer festivals practically every year with a set list so predictable they appear to have forgotten they have other songs. I guess you can't complain about inconsistency, but much like Motorhead, if you like carbon copy performances, then Slayer were no doubt great.
Slayer set list:
South of Heaven / War Ensemble / Jihad / Cult / Disciple / Bloodline / Mandatory Suicide / Seasons in the Abyss / Supremist / Eyes of the Insane / Dead Skin Mask / Raining Blood
A three stage pile up now and a decision to watch a couple of songs by The Answer leads us to stay for the whole set, they're that good. There's passion and hunger in The Answer's performance and it`s obvious they clearly enjoy playing together. Cormac Neeson is the undoubted star of the band. One of the best vocal talents here all weekend he pours everything into the likes of Keep Believin' and Under The Sky. Prior to Memphis Water he splits the crowd in two for some competitive shouting and announced in his strong accent 'If there's one thing the Northern Irish are good at its shouting at each other!' The pacey Into The Gutter closed the set with a rain of The Answer beach balls thrown into the crowd. A superb show and I look forward to catching The Answer again with Aerosmith later this month.
The Answer set list:
Come Follow Me / Never Too Late / Keep Believin` / Under The Sky / Memphis Water / Into The Gutter
Rightly expecting the tent to be full and closed off for Mötley Crüe, its straight back across the festival site past the mainstage where Marilyn Manson is parading. I've heard reports that he was excellent, but equally that he was forgetting words. Unfortunately not having the chance to check out the set I can't confirm either.
Marilyn Manson set list:
If I Was Your Vampire / Disposable Teens / You And Me And The Devil Makes 3 / Hate Anthem / mOBscene / Sweet Dreams / Putting Holes In Happiness / Just A Car Crash Away / Rock Is Dead / Heart Shaped Glasses / Tainted Love / The Dope Show / Great Big White World / The Fight Song / The Beautiful People
Perry Farrell's Satellite Party are wrapping up with a run through of Jane's Addiction's Ain't No Right as we arrive at the second stage. Nuno Bettencourt is undoubtedly a talented guitarist but this song needs Dave Navarro and sounds a bit thin as a result.
Satellite Party set list included:
Stop / Been Caught Stealing / Mountain Song / Kinky / Wish Upon A Dog Star / Ain't No Right
Mötley Crüe put in the best performance I have seen by them, but then they've never astounded me. The mixed setlist worked much better than the chronological one I'd seen at Sweden Rock and aside from Vince Neil's helium like squealing the band pack more punch than previous encounters. The need to demonstrate how rock'n'roll they are is embarrassing however. Sixx bangs on about two sisters he'd had backstage, Neil needs a topless girl to bring out his guitar and Tommy Lee just needs to stay behind his drum kit. Out of the whole band it`s Mick Mars that oozes class. Though he is suffering from a degenerative bone disorder, his playing, which has been unfairly criticised, remains fluid. His face hidden from view and silent throughout, Mars exudes an air of mystery. A horrible cover of Anarchy In The U.K. aside, Mötley Crüe's set was very enjoyable and we head back across the site mimicking Lee's 'When I say Mötley you say Crüe' chant.
Mötley Crüe set list:
Dr. Feelgood / Shout At The Devil / Wild Side / Looks That Kill / Live Wire / Same Ol' Situation / Home Sweet Home / Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) / Louder Than Hell / Sick Love Song / Primal Scream / Girls, Girls, Girls / Anarchy In The UK / Kickstart My Heart
Linkin Park are just finishing their set as we pass the mainstage with a very impressive light show, which sees a very large gathering of fans justifying their headline status.
Linkin Park set list:
One Step Closer / Lying From You / Somewhere I Belong / No More Sorrow / Papercut / Points Of Authority / Given Up / Don't Stay / From The Inside / Leave Out All The Rest / Numb / Pushing Me Away / Breaking The Habit / In The End / Crawling / What I've Done / Little Things Give You Away / Bleed It Out / Faint
LINKS:
Download Festival
Mötley Crüe
Satellite Party
Marilyn Manson
The Answer
Slayer
My Dying Bride
Gallows
Anathema
As I Lay Dying
Bring Me The Horizon
Shadows Fall
Hellyeah!
Turisas
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