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Sonisphere Festival
Day 3 - Sunday
02.08.2010
@
Knebworth, Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
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Sunday’s disgustingly good main stage lineup is kicked off by alternative metal Perth troupe Karnivool, whose blend of gigantic riffs, harmonic soundscapes and subtle progressive qualities becomes increasingly enthralling as their set goes on. Frontman Ian Kenny has a touch of the Jack Sparrow about him, but it only adds to the otherworldliness of an excellent showing for the Aussie newcomers. It’s a whole different kettle of bounce when Skindred arrive onstage some time later, as Benji and co. reaffirm their status as one of Britain’s very best (and today, smartly dressed) live acts. If the ‘Dred could only get an album out that matches their live prowess, they’d be true heavyweights by now, but in the meantime, choons like ‘Stand For Something’ and ‘Trouble’ are still difficult to argue with.
On the Saturn stage soon after, Dir En Grey blow away any remaining cobwebs with a predictably mental set that has half the crowd going apeshit and half standing slack-jawed at the whole spectacle. Slayer are a far more straightforward beast, and although theirs is a set that once again suggests that Messrs Araya, King, Hanneman and Lombardo are rarely at their best on a festival stage, ‘Raining Blood’ is always going to be a highlight in any metalhead’s day. And speaking of highlights, how fucking good are Kvelertak? The Norwegians’ black metal/punk mash up is beguiling enough on record, but as a live force they’re a ball-bursting juggernaut of hair, sweat and headbanging. The Strongbow tent crowd doesn’t do them justice, because this is one of the sets of the weekend.
Alice in Chains are no duff prospect themselves, and if last year’s Soni show was a firm celebration of the Seattle legends’ return, today is a comforting reminder that they are as vibrant and significant as ever. DuVall might not have the same wretched, soulful quality of Layne Staley, but he’s an immense vocalist in his on right, and the fact that newer hit ‘Check My Brain’ sounds as huge live as classics like ‘Rooster’ is testament to his importance to this deservedly lauded, post-Layne incarnation of the band. The Cult are far less enthralling if still good fun over on the Saturn stage, before Converge smash the Bohemia stage to bits with an eventually outstanding set, shrugging off some early technical issues to end on a massive high.
Love them or hate them, few bands get a crowd pumping like Pendulum, and you have to give them credit for upping the anté for their biggest ever festival slot with some added smoke and pyro that gives bangers like ‘Propane Nightmares’ that extra bounce. Iggy Pop continues to defy his age with a high-octane set of his own, and one can only hope that he has some kind of life insurance to cover such antics as he closes the Saturn stage for the weekend. It’s a very different ball game to Kylesa, who bring the riffs to the Red Bull tent in spectacular fashion, with a stirring performance that is, to coin a phrase, pretty fucking monolithic. An outstanding set from an increasingly outstanding band, and one that’d be fit to close the weekend by itself.
But then, there is Iron Maiden. After 2008’s epic, world-beating Somewhere Back In Time Tour, tonight sees a headline slot predominantly dedicated to cuts from the last ten years, and a massive statement of just how relevant they still are. Not only do the likes of ‘Brave New World’, ‘These Colours Don’t Run’ and ‘Dance Of Death’ sound as huge live as anything Maiden have put out, but the band themselves are tighter than ever, with an outrageously good showing from Bruce Dickinson, who screams, wails and, of course, banters his way through the show with aplomb. The dedication of ‘Blood Brothers’ to Ronnie James Dio is a hugely touching moment, and as the final few notes of a massive ‘Running Free’ brings their set, and the weekend, to a thunderous close, it can only be assumed that whenever Maiden do finally hang up their boots for good, it’ll be far, far too soon. |
Reviewed by Merlin Alderslade
Photography by Justine Sutton & Oran Tarjan
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Festival Reviews 
