Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
We’re leaving the nu metal sounds of the first day into a more classic (and yet modern) second day at Download Festival. Our day starts quite early because there are some great bands to check out during the whole day, so let’s start at the very beginning…
The Chaoszine team is starting the day off with a local band called As Everything Unfolds. Since I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing their latest full-length album, I was really curious to see what they were like in a live setting. And they passed with flying colors! The band is very energetic, and super passionate: you can feel from the audience that they’re putting their whole hearts and souls into the art they create. That’s exactly what I want to see on stage! Also they’ve revealed that they will do some headlining UK shows, which for a band is never taken for granted, so I am so happy they are finally getting some great recognition.
Photo: Niko Sihvonen.
We continue to enjoy the events at Opus stage as the next band arrives: they’re We Came As Romans, a metalcore band from across the pond. They also had a very high-octane set, with great songs and amazing lyrics. I enjoyed how profoundly and how genuinely has lead singer David Stephens delivered each track, I was almost in tears. It’s refreshing to see artists thoroughly enjoying their craft. And I’ve been wanting to see them for quite a while now because I’m italian, and not to see a band called like this it felt like a crime. Their setlist included tracks from their latest album “ALL IS BEAUTIFUL…. BECAUSE WE’RE DOOMED” released last year, with some tracks from their previous output “Darkbloom” too. All in all, a very good continuation for the Saturday programme!
Photo: Niko Sihvonen.
If you know me a little bit, you know that my number one man crush is Nightwish and Wintersun drummer Kai Hahto, but a girl’s got to have options, am I right? So well, one of the main reasons why I am at this year’s download is because of Black Veil Brides. Not because they’re only good looking, but also because they’re masters of performing as well. Lead singer Andy Biersack is born to be on stage, and I’m so glad he’s using his super powers for good. The first half of their show was dedicated to their latest album “VINDICATE”, but without forgetting some classics like “In The End” and “Fallen Angels“. I’m a bit bummed that they didn’t have on their setlist “Scarlet Cross” but I cannot complain at all for anything in their show. A great job was done by Wade Murff on drums, replacing Christian “CC” Coma. He absolutely nailed every single track, I almost forgot they had a different lineup until Andy introduced him. This day keeps on getting better and better!
Photo: Niko Sihvonen.
The wonderful thing about festivals is that you get to discover some fantastic bands even against your will. I’m saying this becaue my colleague Niko (whose spectacular photos you see in all my articles of Download Festival) literally almost dragged me to the Avalanche stage for Hot Milk. He’s been praising them for such a long time (basically since they were announced), so I thought that I would just humour him and go see them. Frankly, now I now why he was so enthusiastic about them. Their energy on stage is simply unmatched: they’re like crickets, jumping, running, singing and playing like their lives were depending on this show. I think that when bands do not have long sets it’s even better because somehow they have to give it all in the limited time they have, and Hot Milk absolutely delivered a stunning performance.
Photo: Niko Sihvonen.
Last year it was Green Day and Sex Pistols, and this year Download Festival made me a huge gift when they announced The All-American Rejects would perform there. Growing up with their music, I thought I would never have the chance to see them, and instead luck was on my side. I have sang along to all their show so much that I almost ran out of voice after this. To hear the whole Avalanche tent sing along to “Dirty Little Secret“, “Gives You Hell”, “Move Along” and so many more staple songs that they have played was simply the highlight of this year’s festival. Just like I said for Andy Biersack, Tyson Ritter was also born to be a performer, engaging with the crowd, making funny movements and overall being an excellent entertainer. I unfortunately missed their acoustic set later in the evening, but their headlining show at the Avalanche stage somehow made my teenager heart extremely happy.
Photo: Niko Sihvonen.
Bands that made the history of heavy metal and rock don’t come around just everyday, which is why it is imperative to catch them as soon as possible. One of them is definitely Guns N’ Roses, the headliners of the second day of Download Festival. While the Apex stage was super packed for Limp Bizkit, I can’t unfortunately say it was the same for Axl Rose and company. But I thought that it was somehow unjust, because these gentlement provided the audience in Donington Park with a fantastic show. I’ve read and heard some divisive and controversial feedback of their show, especially in relation to Rose’s vocal performance. But in my opinion, he handled the lead vocals quite professionally, while he wad signs of struggles in the high notes. Duff McKagan instead was absolutely flawless on bass and on the track that the sang, the Sex Pistols cover “Black Leather“. I was afraid the Slash guitar solo was going to last quite long but actually it was an appropriate time, before jumping into their classic “Sweet Child O’ Mine“, which the band performed quite well. Is Guns N’ Roses the same band as the 1980s? Probably not. Do they still bring their best and a very enjoyable show? Absolutely yes.
Photo: Niko Sihvonen.
