Reviews and Recommendations: metal

If there was any band that had reason to be weary in the least of heading on stage it would be Limp Bizkit. For a few reasons, namely because of Machine Head (always a tough act to follow) fans chanting the expected "F*** Limp Bizkit" and possibly showering the band... [more]

Event Date: August 2, 2009
Event Venue: Knebworth House

If there was any band that had reason to be weary in the least of heading on stage it would be Limp Bizkit. For a few reasons, namely because of Machine Head (always a tough act to follow) fans chanting the expected "F*** Limp Bizkit" and possibly showering the band with an array of boos and bottles (remember Summer Sanitarium - Chicago?). But as soon as the music hit and the original line up began forming on stage starting with DJ Lethal, the total opposite had happened.

After their storming performance at Download this year, the band continued their momentum and high stakes energy at Sonisphere opening with 'My Generation' - a perfect hit for reacquainting with the fans. Wes Borland, one of the main creative forces within the band didn't miss a step with his white body paint, blue-dyed hair and effortless communication with the crowd. Sam Rivers played bass like his life depended on it and that's a compliment to his obvious dedication to every track played during the set. DJ Lethal remained flawless keeping the set intact with his scratch interludes and a focused John Otto on drums. Fred Durst was on top form and at one point coming off stage for the right reasons - joining the fans at the front row. He also took time to address his respect for Machine Head and Nine Inch Nails which was followed by the track 'Hot Dog'.

The set closed with a blistering performance of 'Take A Look Around' where Fred Durst asked the crowd to join in by kneeling or sitting down before the song would erupt for the final chorus. The crowd without hesitation did so, contributing to a great performance. A true highlight of the event along with perhaps the most emotional set from Nine Inch Nails. [less]

Saturday 1st August 2009 was to be a sad day for British music; as this would be the last performance rock legends Thunder would give in their 20 year history.
I had concerns that they would not get a very good reception, as they are quite a different act to most... [more]

Event Date: August 1, 2009
Event Venue: Sonisphere Festival

Saturday 1st August 2009 was to be a sad day for British music; as this would be the last performance rock legends Thunder would give in their 20 year history.
I had concerns that they would not get a very good reception, as they are quite a different act to most of those also playing at the Sonisphere Festival. Fortunately I could not have been proved more wrong.
Half an hour before the band hit the stage, the Bohemia tent became jam packed to the rafters with fans chanting ‘Thunder’, when the strains of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck rang out the atmosphere became electric.
The band exploded onto the stage, with their early 90’s hit ‘Dirty Love’. Charismatic lead singer Danny Bowes soon had the crowd eating out of his hand, getting them to sing along, clap, jump and wave their arms like lunatics.
Other favourites followed with Higher Ground, Low Life in High Places, Gimme Some Lovin, Love Walked In and The Devil Made Me Do It.
Bowes bounced around the stage with the energy of the Duracell bunny, whilst the rest of the band, consisting of Lead guitarist & songwriter Luke Morley, guitarist & keyboard player Ben Matthews, bassist Chris Childs and drummer Harry James made every second on stage count.
All too soon they played their last number, the catchy ‘I Love You More Than Rock N’ Roll’. The band stood for rapturous applause, and Danny thanked the fans for supporting them over the last twenty years, before leaving the stage.

Thunder may be gone, but they certainly will never be forgotten. [less]

After catching a sublime performance at the O2, capped off with a surprise appearance from Gary Numan, I was ready for anything at Sonisphere. What followed was the most unique and heartfelt set I've seen. Trent Reznor always goes against the norm, and chose to play a brave low-key, and... [more]

Event Date: August 2, 2009
Event Venue: Sonisphere, Knebworth

After catching a sublime performance at the O2, capped off with a surprise appearance from Gary Numan, I was ready for anything at Sonisphere. What followed was the most unique and heartfelt set I've seen. Trent Reznor always goes against the norm, and chose to play a brave low-key, and sombre set in front of a field of metal heads and Metallica fans. Including songs such as Something I Can Never Have, I Do Not Want This, and closer Hurt, the only uptempo song seemed to be Wish. Clearly frustrated, and at times sad, this was a gig Trent seemed to be dreading. Maybe because it was his last ever UK gig, or perhaps he just doesn't want to grow old. Either way, I have the utmost respect for his craftsmanship, and loved each song he chose to play. This was a message to his fans; if you weren't at the O2, you missed our proper gig, this was purely a melancholy coda to remember us by. [less]

An unfortunate aspect of every festival is the possibility of bands pulling out or having problems reaching the event, and Sonisphere was no different. The festival had proven rather unlucky over the past few months, with various bands cancelling for a number of reasons (even including the dreaded 'suspected swine... [more]

Event Date: August 1, 2009
Event Venue: Sonisphere, Knebworth UK

An unfortunate aspect of every festival is the possibility of bands pulling out or having problems reaching the event, and Sonisphere was no different. The festival had proven rather unlucky over the past few months, with various bands cancelling for a number of reasons (even including the dreaded 'suspected swine flu'!), and many Coheed fans' hearts were firmly in mouths when the main stage compere announced that there was a line-up change just as the band were scheduled to perform.

Luckily, however, Coheed and Cambria were not forced to pull out of the festival; there was a problem with the ferry they were travelling on, and as a result Sonisphere had brought FACT up to the main stage, giving Coheed the Japanese rockers' slot in the Bohemia tent later that evening.

Although a set in the tent made for an amazing atmosphere and a better sound than the main stage would have offered, it also unfortunately meant that many Coheed fans were left out in the rain as the tent had reached capacity. And, despite the fact that many casual spectators left the tent once the weather had calmed down, the security team refused to let anyone else inside the tent, despite the increase in space available. For those lucky enough to be rammed inside the tent, however, Coheed's set was a sure-fire highlight of the inaugural Sonisphere festival.

Opening with a blistering rendition of crowd favourite Welcome Home, the New York four-piece rattled through an impressive set which included barnstorming  renditions of No World For Tomorrow and Gravemakers & Gunslingers. The band surprised many in the crowd with The End Complete III: The End Complete, a near-8 minute epic which was lengthened further with a cover of Iron Maiden's The Trooper in the middle of the track. Between songs, humble frontman Claudio Sanchez took a quick break from whipping the crowd into a frenzy by apologising for the band being late, and thanking everyone for checking the band out.  

This all reached to an epic climax as the band finished their set with In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 - a song which is, in many fans' minds, Coheed's signature track. Being part of the audience when this song is performed is always a pleasure, and Sonisphere was no different. The heat inside the tent was sweltering as fans belted out every lyrics and pumped their fists in unison; a dizzying display of euphoria and community falling over the sweat-soaked devotees.

At festivals, Coheed and Cambria always manage to pull off an impressive mix of accessible hits for casual fans or newcomers to the band, while throwing in enough favourites to satisfy the hardcore of their fanbase. This was accomplished with ease at Sonisphere, and the atmosphere of the Bohemia tent purely added to the experience. The entire crowd left buzzing, knowing that they had witnessed one of the most cerebral and ambitious bands in rock music today. [less]