REVIEW: UK SONISPHERE FESTIVAL 2011
In only its third year Sonisphere has built a reputation to be proud of in the rock/metal scene. Hosted in 12 countries, this UK date has certainly held its hype with the line up of the ‘Big Four.’ Being founded by Stuart Galbraith, previously of rival event Download they have gone all out to sway the rock fans over this year with the addition of the third day Friday kicks off with surprisingly clear skies after the rumors of torrential downpours keeping for the good vibe around the site up.
Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax are the only thing on peoples minds today, the definition of the 80’s in the thrash metal scene. Its no wonder this gathering for there first UK line up together has got people hyped. Anthrax kick off the procidings for the glory four, followed by a slightly dated performance from Megadeth, frontman Dave Mustaine, formally of headliner Metallica seemingly found it hard to get the crowd going, but things picked up nearing the end of their set when they played out Wake Up Dead. Next up however Slayer was met with an almighty roar. With performances of Reign in Blood and Angel of Death they tore up the stage in preparation for the Big Four headliner they certainly got the fans primed.
Metallica stormed they day with a 2 hour, 18 song, strong set. As they literally set the stage on fire, flames bursting from the stage they opened with Hit The Lights, not shying of their earlier material they played through Master of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium) and Ride the Lightening. The inevitable encore came, one that many had been waiting for when the legendary Big Four united on stage as one, to perform a unique version of Diamond Head’s – Am I Evil? This was a sight to behold, never have I seen such a large stage so crammed, to me it appeared something of a modern day Feed The World, although obviously sounded very much different. I don’t think anyone here could be disappointed with this days culmination it definitely ended on a climax.
Saturday kicked off early with Sylosis pulling in a seemingly large crowd for their 11am show. Architects got people in a storm quite quickly during their short set, in the preparation for a now extremely poignant set about to be played out by Gallows, after rumors had got out around camp that Frank Carter frontman of the band was to quit and this be his farewell performance. It seems everyone had heard the news as the Saturn stage was packed out for their performance whereby Frank confirmed the rumors, stating Gallows will continue but will now be fronted by (as of yet) an unknown individual, Frank also announced he shall be moving onto a new project Pure Love of which he adorned a t-shirt for. It is clear Frank will be missed as he tore up the stage and the crowd went wild as floods of fans came flowing over the barrier continually throughout the set, however the set ended on quite a poignant note where Frank got all his friends and family on stage for the last song and asked the crowd for a photo to remember them by.
The rain had held of up until then where the skies opened and somewhat hammering downpours happened and continued to do so in somewhat sporadic outbursts for the rest of the afternoon soaking the likes of pop punk fans for All Time Low, with their continued talk of boobies and orgies, they strayed from the path of the Fridays heavier line up. Weezer hit the stage playing out their catchy pop hits like Buddy Holly and Beverley Hills whilst also covering the likes of Wheatus’ Teenage Dirtbag and Radiohead’s Paranoid Andriod. Mars Volta literally teared up the stage, as Cedric chucked a barrier and rips down signage from the stage quite a strange pace to be left on for Biffy Clyro the somewhat controversial Saturday headliner. Biffy take to the Apollo stage with extra live guitarist Mike Vennart formally frontman of Oceansized. They play a storming set that goes down impressively well with old and new fans alike. “Thanks for treating us so well, we know this is a metal festival so here’s some slayer for you…” teasing with a riff of ‘Angel Of Death’ then playing into their heavier ‘There’s No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake’ from their back catalogue. Pyrotechnics including a multi layered light bulb chandelier and a handheld flare are just a few things to grace their performance on stage and add to what I can safely say is there best performance I have ever witnessed. These three boys deserve this headline slot.
Sunday morning starts with a mellow vibe on the Bohemian Stage with Howard Marks presence lacking as a 20min video on this history of the drugs trade takes place before he joins the stage, with his talks of being a cannabis friendly smuggler the crowd whoop in appreciation of his legacy. House Of Pain are an unusual choice for the afternoons proceedings they grace the stage with a cover of Dr Dre’s – Next episode. At 2pm ‘2 at 2 for #2’ a somewhat surprising (considering the environment) respected two minutes silence takes place in tribute to Paul Gray takes place for the former Slipknot basest. Limp Bizkit, appear to be quite a hit with the crowd, playing all their classic hits, Fred Durst interacts well as he asks “Ladies: I want you all to pop up in the crowd like a bunch of bean sprouts” quite an amusing statement this is in preparation for George Michael’s – Faith, yet another band to do a cover this weekend. The persistent rain slightly mutes the atmosphere for Slipknot’s finale but they still manage to get everyone to the floor, now somewhat of a mud mire in order to then ‘jump the fuck up!’ on their demand. Adorned in red boiler suits and a variety of positively frightening masks from across the years they are met with the ghostlike display of Paul’s mask, boiler suit and bass hanging in front of the drum riser Corey Taylor stated from the outset ‘This is a night for positivity, this is a celebration”
A strange point in the night to me is whereby the band suddenly pull on a stream of people (fans or friends I’m not sure) to pose for photos on stage with the epic crowd as a backdrop. The night was definitely a tribute and was summed up when Joey Jordison hugs the remaining empty suit, and the lights fade out leaving illuminated a lone number 2.
Words and photos: Laura Palmer
