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home » festivals » Download » Download Festival 2008
Friday music reviewDownload 2008Thursday 19th June 2008 With a host of imposing clouds choosing to save their wrath for now and spare the thousands of rockers, metal heads and (whisper it) emo lovers from a muddy start to the sixth annual Download festival, the most widely celebrated day of the event is allowed to kick off a weekend which features what is arguably its most diverse lineup to date. Though the main stage is understandably drawing most of today's focus, the party really gets started over on the Gibson-sponsored third stage, where Greek power metal heroes Firewind draw a startlingly large crowd at such an early point in the day. Those who have made the effort are rewarded with a rip-roaring set that eventually sees plenty of heads banging and more than a few moshpits erupting around the tent.  Soon after eFestivals are fortunate enough to be granted exclusive access to an enjoyable press conference with British legends Motörhead, in which Lemmy and the gang discuss issues that vary from Donington's sacred history to (as Lemmy himself puts it) "travelling the world and screwing beautiful women." You just can't keep that guy down, and his relaxed and confident demeanour is at odds of sorts with Disturbed main man (mad man?) David Draiman. Whilst the bald bad ass does his best to put on a show of machismo and bravado, it seems that the US nu metal survivors are somewhat daunted by the large crowd in front of them, and they struggle to convey any justification for their relatively high slot. Granted, 'Down With The Sickness' is still a fun tune to bang a head or two to, but they'll have won over few fans this evening.  Not that that will bother metal gods Judas Priest, whose press conference only a few minutes after sees Rob Halford lead his troops out to speak on metal's growing popularity, their bombastic new concept album 'Nostradamus' and the group's own stunning longevity. They will have to wait to hit the stage though, because first there is the small matter of one Lemmy Kilminster and some seriously old-school rocking out to take care of. Motörhead are huge crowd pleasers, and play a storming set that happily merges in newer material with necessary oldies such as 'Overkill' and 'Ace Of Spades'.  Admittedly, some of the band's raw power is lost out in the open air, and they are certainly suited to more intimate venues than this, but even that cannot detract from the pure joy at seeing these hardened veterans return to the main stage at Donington after mixing it up in the tent in 2005. An appearance by their original axeman Michael 'Würzel' Burston during 'Ace Of Spades' only adds to the party atmosphere, and makes for a perfect preparation for the arrival of Judas Priest. The Brummie metal superstars enter in a flurry of chunky riffage and theatrical composure, and although their decision to kick-start proceedings with a track from the new album is bold, it is perfectly understandable, as 'Prophecy' is an irresistibly heavy number that sees swarms of metalheads happily banging their skulls and waving their arms maniacally. This show is far from being one big album plug though, and tracks from all over Priest's back catalogue from 'British Steel' to 'Defenders Of The Faith' to 'Painkiller' are allowed their moments to shine. A fantastic display of heavy metal superiority, but even Priest's sense of showmanship is no match for what comes next.  Yes Donington, for the first time in nearly a decade, it's finally time for KISS to strut their stuff. Fair enough, only two original members remain in the line-up, but this is a KISS show in every single sense, with platforms being raised, blood being spat, guitarists being flown over the crowd and as many fireworks as can possibly be crammed into two hours all on breathtaking display. The majority of tracks from the epic 'Alive' album are brought out of retirement, but it is the encore which brings the real treats, as 'Lick It Up', 'Love Gun' and 'Detroit Rock City' bring the crowd to its collective knees amidst a blizzard of confetti and pyrotechnic madness. You wanted the best, you got it people, and it sure as hell ain't Lostprophets. review by Merlin Alderslade photos by Luke Seagrave / Chris Perowne 
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