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Queen Adreena kicked things off on the Main Stage on Friday. She was a bit more reserved than in previous shows. Wasn't too naked and didn't beat the rest of the band up. Then it was off to the Snickers Stage to catch Fozzy. Fozzy are made up from members of Stuck Mojo and WWE Wrestler Chris Jericho. They were pretty damned good and the audience was really into them.

After a bit of a pause and general meander through the site I returned to the Snickers Stage for Apocalyptica. These guys are pretty unique. 4 Classically trained Finnish Cellists that play Heavy Metal music. I'd seen them earlier in the year when they were supporting the best band on the planet; Rammstein. Next up was a return to the Main Stage to see a band that I had wanted to see since I was a teenager; Megadeth. Never thought I'd get a chance to see them after Dave Mustaine suffered extensive nerve damage to his hand; but a couple of years of hard work and he's back playing again. I think they're planning on touring the UK in the future and it's a gig I'll be looking out for...

After Megadeth finished I made my first visit of the weekend to the Napster tent to catch Paradise Lost; a rather late addition to the lineup and a band I've been a fan of for years. They played a mixture of old and new and really lit up the tent. The final band I saw on the Friday was back on the Main Stage. Garbage are a band I've listened to a fair bit in the past but I wouldn't have said I was a huge fan. In fact I only went to see them to get some photographs for a friend. But, I actually really enjoyed their set.

Saturday was going to be a day of experimentation; due to the fact that there was only 2 bands I wanted to go and see. Anyway, we kicked off with Trivium on the Main Stage. Moved over to the Napster Stage and was really surprised by Crucified Barbara; a Swedish all-girl group. They were loud and in your face, they were bloody awesome. I'll be looking out for their album.

Next was a return to the Main Stage and Alter Bridge. They are basically the remnants of Creed with a new vocalist. After Alter Bridge I made my way back to the Napster Stage to catch Breed 77. Gibraltar's finest exports once again blew everybody away. They were good on the Main Stage last year. This year, in a smaller, packed venue, they were something else. Just before Breed 77 came on stage I caught the back end of The Explosion's set. It sounded like I'd missed a pretty good set.

After Breed 77 we returned to the Main Stage and caught the back end of Velvet Revolver; the new project from Slash. They were OK; not brilliant, but not too bad. Not my cup of tea though. Finally, the highlight of the day; Black Sabbath. The Main Stage was packed all the way back to the concession stands; a lot more people than had seen Metallica last year. Ozzy and crew rocked. They gave us 90 minutes of brilliance; and for a guy in his fifties he bounced around the stage like a 20 year old. In fact, I'd say they were by far the higlight of the weekend; not just the day.

Sunday started off with Henry Rollins' spoken word show in the Napster Tent. It was packed and everybody was really into the show. Nobody on the world stage was safe from his ire and he even told us a story of the day he knocked out a moronic American during a show in Japan. Excellent way to start the day. Caught The Saints and Still Remains. Both were pretty good but each had their own style. The Saints were more rocky and Still Remains were very heavy.

Next up was another great Finnish band, Nightwish on the Main Stage. Unfortunately, due to a couple of flight delays enroute, including a bomb scare in Vienna, they had a play a vastly reduced set. However, the 4 songs they played left the audience wanting more. A band I want to see again. After they finished it was quickly over to the Snickers Tent to catch Italy's finest export of recent times; Lacuna Coil. They played an excellent set and it helps that they're fronted by one of the hottest women on the planet; Cristina Scabbia.

A quick rush back to the Main Stage meant I could catch the end of Slayer's set. Was really disappointed that they clashed with Lacuna Coil and I couldn't see both full sets. But, they'll be back again next year. Next it was back to the Snickers Tent to catch the last 2 acts of the weekend.

DKT/MC5 were a band I hadn't heard of before. However, the crowd were really into them and they played a solid set. The final band of the weekend were Motorhead. A rip-roaring hour later and we're all heading home; happy and deaf...

All in all a great weekend and the weather behaved itself too. I thought this year's festival would need to go some to beat last year's. However, looking at it I think the organisers keep on upping the ante. 2006 is going to have to be something extra special...