Download Review

Jouurney down was uneventful. Got in and set up relatively easily. Talishia, her daughter V, Ziggy and Talishia's friend Kirsty joined us a bit later and we had our own little communal area sorted.

I didn't bother taking any alcohol with me but did take 4 large bottles of Coke. Colin broke open his Mead and that was soon polished off. Thursday night passed relatively quietly.

Looking at the Stage Times there wasn't anybody I was really interested in seeing before Megadeth at about 3:30pm so I just meandered around the main festival site listening to various bits and pieces from everywhere. Although, I made sure I was back at the Main Stage in plenty of time.

Dave Mustaine and his band were awesome once more. Played some old stuff and a couple of songs off the new album; United Abominations. Finished off the set with a version of "Holy Wars" that just seemed to go on for ever and ever. Great set.

Next up were Dragonforce and Wolfmother; who were both OK but not too memorable. Just before 8pm we had Velvet Revolver, who I must admit are starting to grow on me the more I listen to them.

My Chemical Romance were due next on stage after Velvet Revolver but I'd already decided that I was going to go watch something else. Had originally planned on seeing Korn with Talishia and Ziggy but ended up going to see Suicidal Tendancies with Scoot instead. They were great and an awesome end to Friday.

Saturday was an earlier start than Friday but I wasn't too bothered about catching any of the early bands so took a slow meander up to the main site. Caught the back end of Turisas before settling down to catch Hellyeah, the band Pantera's Vinnie Paul is now working with. They were great although by the end of the set I was a wee bit disappointed that they hadn't played a version of "Walk".

Went for a wander and caught Beyond All Reason and Panic Cell on one of the other stages. Both bands were pretty damned good. After Colin and Paul's waxing lyrical for Bowling For Soup I headed back to the main stage to catch their set. Wish I hadn't; they were absolutely awful; easily the worst act I saw all weekend. My advice to one and all is to steer well clear of these half-wits.

Machine Head and Slayer were the next 2 acts on stage and they were both back to their usual awesome best. Machine Head played a mixture of old stuff and a couple of tracks off their new album; The Blackening. Awesome set and to be followed right afterwards by Slayer must be any metal-head's heaven.

Marilyn Manson was next on stage. He played a mix of old stuff and a couple of tracks off his new album, Eat Me, Drink Me. To be honest he seemed to be just going through the motions and didn't approach anywhere near the level of previous appearances by him.

Nothing else interested me on Saturday and an early return to the campsite was in order.

Sunday was another early start and although I didn't have anybody I wanted to see right away I wanted to get up to the site's third stage early enough to get a good spot for the acts I did want to see.

After a wander past the Kerrang Radio bus where we said "Hi" in passing to Lauren Harris; Iron Maiden's Steve Harris' daughter, I managed to catch the back end of Eye Lash's set. They were pretty good.

Every Download I try and pick out a band that we haven't heard before that I think are going to become a main stay of our listening habits. This year that band was After Forever and I think I've struck gold once more. They were great and I was right near the front for their set.

Staying in place so that I could catch Paradise Lost, Within Temptation and Dimmu Borgir later I also managed to catch Cancer Bats, Unearth, Devil Driver, Orange Goblin and Napalm Death. All 8 bands were great; although technical problems resulted in Within Tempation having a much shorter set than planned. But, I'll get to see them live again in November. Also planning to go and see Dimmu Borgir again in Septemeber.

It was then back to the main stage to catch some of Evanescence's set before settling in to watch the headliners; Iron Maiden. Missed most of Evanescence's set to be honest so I'll have to try and catch them again sometime. Iron Maiden were one of the few bands that I'd been a fan of forever and never had the chance to see. Although I ended up at virtually the back of the crowd I still enjoyed it immensely and will try and catch them once again in the future.

Set off home at about 9am on Monday and other than a couple of scary moments where I started to sag managed to get home in 1 piece.

Had a great weekend and am already looking forward to Download 2008.