Saturday packs punch as heavyweights descend on Knebworth
Sonisphere 2010 review
Tuesday 3rd August 2010
The second day of Sonisphere brought with it a wealth of bands from varying corners of the rock world to grace it's dual alternating stage setup. Lacuna Coil did not get the day off in the right gear by any means. Vocal duties are shared by both Christina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro, yet the latter just sounded completely out of place. His vocals gruff and flat with very little variation in either pitch or tone. The rest of the band sounded OK, but each and every noise which emerged from his body just seemed totally unnecessary. It makes you wonder sometimes when people like this are in a band. I mean, what's wrong with just one vocalist? A lot of other people do it, and it seems to work...
Soulfly emerged on the Saturn (2nd) stage with a totally different mentality. Their set was all you'd expect from Max Cavalara and his merry heavy circus- loud, real, heavy metal. They just keep on giving with tracks such as tribal enfused 'The Prophecy' and 'Back to the primitive'. Cavalara's unique and instantly recognisable vocals seep into the very foundations of the grounds. It's the hits as always which
get the most action. The sets conclusion, and extended and inspired version of 'Eye for an eye' particularly whipping up all manner of madness within the more brave nearer the stage.
After a rather hasty 5 minute break, it was back to the main stage to check out a fully committed Anthrax. Again, never shy to play to their strengths, tracks such as 'Antisocial' and 'Madhouse' really help accelerate the pace of the afternoon. Their classic thrash metal sound is unmistakable and a testament to their 29 year reign as one of the biggest bands of the genre. The sound is huge, the band are loud and Scott Ian (guitar) wastes no time mid set to remind the fans of such a fact. "Keep this shit up Knebworth, we're not done with you yet!" bellows Ian before the band pay tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio with a cover of the timeless 'Heaven & Hell'. Bands such as this just prove how important their history has been. With such a back catalogue to delve into, and an audience that has grown up right along side them, Anthrax will just keep powering on whilst we're still caught in a mosh.
A little later in the afternoon Skunk Anansie deliver a mid afternoon 45 minutes. Perhaps a little ahead of their time in the 90's and after certainly not receiving the praise deserved, Skunk Anansie return from their 2001 hiatus. (lead singer) Skin provides no moment for respite with the metal audience, as she ducks and dives into both crowds and security alike whilst firing through their previous decades hits. Crowd roarer 'Weak' becomes a particular highlight of the set, whilst the band seemed content and confident in their performance.
Placebo then continue to deliver assurance to the unsure by blasting through a most powerful set. 'Nancy Boy' ignites the bands beginnings whilst the set list is riddled with less popular choices. Not only does it help broaden the audience's understanding of their scope, but really proves that they still deserve a spot this far up the bill. A brilliant, albeit short cover of Nirvana's 'All Apologies' continues their support of the ever swelling attendance before them. Camera men seem more
obsessed with finding the next female victim to be pressured into revealing her 'assets' rather than actually paying attention to the act. The set ends with a wall of guitar feedback and an applauding Brian Molko before fading into a beautiful piano outro.
review by Phil Davies photos by Karen Williams / Sarah Collie
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