Review: Downpours didn’t deter rock revelry at this year’s Download Festival (The Daily Mail Online Review)

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Jun
20

Back for its ninth year the 2011 Download Festival kicked off in spectacular fashion with 70,000 people pouring into the grounds of Donington Park, Leicestershire.

Every year this three-day music event promises a lively dosage of gritty metal and rock mayhem.

Despite patchy weather fans were treated to shining performances from some of the biggest names on the circuit including veteran rocker Alice Cooper, Def Leppard, System of a Down and Linkin Park.

As with most music extravaganzas the Main Stage at Download is reserved for top acts.

Back in 2003 – the first year Download was held – it welcomed Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson, Funeral for a Friend, Audioslave, Evanescence and The Darkness.

But this year’s line up was so abundant that many acts overflowed onto the second stage, meaning that spectators had to flit between the two. 

Escape the Fate were one of the acts that sparked attention, and excellent performances from Welsh punk and reggae band Skindred and popular rockers Hollywood Undead added to the atmosphere.

Pantera’s famous lead singer Phil Anselmo returned as frontman with American heavy metal band Down and delivered an inspiring performance.

He made a moving tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell, who was shot on stage by a fan as he played his with new band Damageplan in Ohio back in 2004.

Some of the best performances of the festival were to be seen on the Saturday night, with Avenged Sevenfold delivering a performance to be proud of.

The passing of their drummer, Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan, temporarily set the band back. 

But Frontman M. Shadows introduced replacement drummer Arin Ilejay in spectacular style by coercing him into performing a drum solo prior to playing the very aptly titled song Welcome to the Family.

However ‘The Rev’ was not forgotten and the crowd noticed the timely appearance of a rainbow as they ran through the song Afterlife. 

Linkin Park demonstrated how much they have matured since releasing their first album in 2000.

Bullet for my Valentine, Disturbed and The Gaslight Anthem were performed with exceptional style and the band remained undeterred by the hideous weather that plagued their show on the Sunday.

Perhaps the most anticipated acts however was Californian rock band System of a Down.

After going on hiatus in May 2006 they made a magnificent return, putting on an electric performance – many will be hoping that they will now produce a follow up to the popular double album Mesmerize and Hypnotize.

The Second Stage of Download saw some equally polished performances, most notably from Children of Bodom and an impressive show from Sheffield metal band Bring Me the Horizon.

It also marked the return of now ageing Nu-Metal band Korn and front man Jonathan Davis thanked fans for their continued support.

Perhaps the best performance however came from Pendulum, putting on an extravagant laser and light display accompanied by an excellent live performance.

On the other stages, such as the Pepsi Max Stage there was an impressive delivery from South African rockers Starseed and frightening musicians Ghost, plus a very tight performance from Straight Line Stitch.

Overall, Download Festival 2011 was one to remember welcoming the return of some ageing metal and rock giants, while demonstrating the maturation of newer bands.

Read the original article here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2005860/Review-Downpours-didnt-deter-rock-revelry-years-Download-Festival-.html