DANZIG - DETH RED SABAOTH

The End Records
Release Date: Out Now

While the first three Danzig albums were, and still are, considered to be an essential part of any true metalheads music collection it is fair to say that the band, fronted by ex-Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig, faded into relative obscurity; still releasing fairly solid albums but appearing to have peaked with the 1992 release "Danzig III: How The Gods Kill"; this latest effort sees the New Jersey band back on form with somewhat of a return to their original 70s rock influences.

The first thing that hits you about the sound of this record is that it could easily have been plucked out of the late 1980s. It sounds like a classic Danzig album with bone shaking bass lines which tear right through you and fuzzy down-tuned guitars chug through a set of songs which reflect the dark lyrics from Danzig's warped mind; his trademark low, threatening voice complimenting perfectly the heaviness of the music. Particular highlights include album opener "Hammer of the Gods", "Rebel Spirit" which features some impressive solo-ing from guitarist Tommy Victor and "Black Candy" with its delibrately slow moving riff. The absolute pinnacle of this album however is "On a Wicked Night" which showcases just how good Glenn Danzig's singing really is. His voice rings out above an acoustic riff which conjures up nightmares before the pounding rhythm section kicks in; it is as close to a ballad as this band will get and proves that you can still be evil while showing off a sensitive side.

With it's exploration into the dark, demonic side of life, 70s influenced guitar riffs and low fuzzy sound this is essentially a classic Danzig album for the new era. While the band does not quite reach the levels of their self-titled 1988 release this is a fully enjoyable effort; proving that even after more than two decades, Glenn Danzig can still reach into the dark recesses of your mind and create nightmares. (8/10)

Jack Knox

OZZY OSBOURNE - SCREAM

Epic Records
Release Date: 21st June 2010

With the long term musical partnership of Ozzy and Zakk Wylde splitting up in July 2009 and the introduction of Gus G (Firewind, ex-Dream Evil) at BlizzCon the following month there was an air of palatable excitement from Ozzy fans who felt that the previous records with Wylde were sounding more and more like a side-project of Zakk's own band Black Label Society.

The first thing you notice about "Scream" is the power metal influences of Gus G. Opening track "Let It Die" is a powerful, churning heavy metal song which immediately catches your attention before throwing you full tilt into first single "Let Me Hear You Scream" which really is Ozzy at his very best for many years. As with almost every Ozzy record there is a ballad and in this case it is no different; "Time" is a typical lighters in the air tune with a sweet solo from Gus G who although at times seems rather repressed has moments of sheer genius. Unlike his previous effort (2007's "Black Rain"), each track feels like it has it's place and is not simply filler around a few singles; Songs like "Life Won't Wait" and "Diggin' Me Down" have pounding acoustic sections which build up into slices of pure metal while "Crucify" and "Fearless" are a headbangers dream.

Everybody around the world regardless of music preference knows the sound of Ozzy's voice and there is no surprise that he tries nothing new on this record. His trademark haunting drone weaves in amongst the fresh guitar playing and chugging rhythm section to create a quintessential heavy metal record. With Bass and Drums provided by two former members of Rob Zombies backing band there is no surprise that there is an almost industrial feel to the music but this only enhances the power metal influences of Gus G who does a good job establishing himself as Ozzy's new right hand man.

Coming in at just under 45 minutes the album does feel a little short but at 61, the former Black Sabbath frontman can be excused for this. Backed by a new guitarist and drummer, Ozzy seems rejuvenated and ready once again to prove that he is still one of the most iconic figures in heavy metal today. A solid new record and Ozzfest returning to the UK for the first time in 5 years means that life is looking up for Ozzy & co. (8/10)

Jakk Knox

GREEN DAY

Lancashire County Cricket Ground
16th June 2010

There is an ever increasing list of bands that have had video games made in their honour. Aerosmith, Metallica, Van Halen, The Beatles and now Green Day. It seems to be a mark of legendary status these days if the younger generation wish to mimic you on screen but to the 50,000 fans packed into Old Trafford on this warm summer evening, a little plastic guitar was the last thing on their minds.

The sheer talent and energy posessed by the infamous trio; Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool meant that from the minute they walked triumphantly onto the stage to the strains of "Song Of The Century" to the moment that Armstrong strummed his guitar for the last time, the crowd were held totally spellbound.

It would be easy to accuse Green Day of being sell outs. After all were they not the snotty pop punk trio who only sang songs about girls, drugs and masturbation for much of the 1990s? With the release of American Idiot in 2004 the group showed they had a certain maturity behind them, a theme further explored by most recent offering "21st Century Breakdown" but the night was more of a celebration of their 23 year career. There was, naturally, plenty of songs from the new album which despite getting mixed reviews on its release has become their best performing album in music charts worldwide and for older fans there was a refreshing medley of songs which were dragged from the murky depths of the 90s.

Billie Joe Armstrong is arguably the worlds greatest showman and infront of an adoring crowd he did not fail to live up to expectations. A T-Shirt cannon, water pistols and toilet roll guns all played a part and he made sure he tried on every hat or pair of novelty glasses that was flung onto the stage. Kids were dragged out of the audience to sing with the band before diving off the stage and during the "King For A Day/Shout Medley" Armstrong and Tre Cool traded instruments during a medley which had the audience crying with laughter. For almost 3 hours Green Day ensured that their fans fell in love with them just a little bit more.

Aside from the slapstick comedy and general goofy behaviour Green Day are a complete rock band no matter which era you discovered them. Backed by a strong rhythm section the band weaved through the fast paced songs of their youth to the powerful anthems and heartbreaking ballads of their maturity; while the music itself may have changed over the years all of the songs still seem to fit together telling stories of teen angst, frustration with life in a small town and disgust with the world. The powerful music is further enhanced by an incredible LED light show which projects images of a crumbling America to the crowd who have their minds stretched to capacity by the audio/visual assault on their senses.

The final encore to this emotional roller coaster is made up of latest single "When It's Time", "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and a phenomenal rendition of "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life". Looking around it is hard to find someone in the crowd whose eyes have not welled up at the sheer beauty of Armstrong's voice.

Green Day lead Old Trafford through what was possibly the greatest Stadium show they have ever played. Balancing their hyperactivity and clowning with moments of shocking sincerity they hold all 50,000 people captive for the time they are on stage. The small town punks from Oakland, California have taken on the world and become one of the most powerful and thrilling rock bands on this planet. Their live show is second to none and really needs to be seen to be believed. (10/10)


Jakk Knox

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2010

Donington Park
11th - 13th June 2010

An increased capacity of 110,000 and three of the biggest headliners seen at the festival in it's 8 year history meant that Download 2010 had some massive expectations to live up to and under the blazing sun on Friday afternoon the anticipation finally ended as Massachussets metalcore outfit Unearth (6/10) opened the main stage with a set that drew heavily from 2004's "The Oncoming Storm" and latest album "The March". Frontman Trevor Phipps' voice was sometimes lost in the fairly sludgy mix but as openers on a day when everyone was waiting for the headliner it was a solid effort.

Up next were 36 Crazyfists (6/10) who again suffered due to the bad mix from the sound desk. Despite having barely audible vocals the four-piece ploughed through a set of their best known songs including "Elysium" with a special early appearance from Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones.

Over on the 2nd Stage, Post-Hardcore loons A Day To Remember (8/10) brought their infectious riffs and catchy melodies to the eagerly waiting audience. With songs such as "The Downfall Of Us All" and "The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle" being sung back at the stage with so much enthusiasm I would not be surprised to see the band invited back in a much higher position in a few years.

Killswitch Engage (5/10) really struggled due to the sound issues. While playing a set which contained all of their strongest material, the band were drowned out by the drums. However, a rousing encore of Holy Diver dedicated to the late great Ronnie James Dio brought the entire arena to its feet.

2nd Stage headliners Bullet For My Valentine (9/10) were easily one of the best bands of the weekend. New album "Fever" despite receiving mixed reviews came across well live and fit in with a set which strongly suggests that the boys from Bridgend will be future Download headliners. A rousing rendition of "Tears Don't Fall" prompted a mass sing-a-long and while the choice of final song, the relatively obscure "Alone", dampened the ending somewhat Bullet have proved that they are ready to step up to the next level.

With 100,000 people moving into position around the specially constructed stage the atmosphere in the air was electric as the entrance video for the world's biggest rock n' roll band began to play. AC/DC (11/10) storm on to the stage to the tune of "Rock N' Roll Train" and deliver a show packed with hits from their illustrious 37 year career. With the stage production from the Black Ice tour we were treated to a train crashing through the stage, a giant inflatable Rosie, a somewhat worrying striptease from Angus and of course the cannons during the thunderous "For Those About To Rock". Exhausted, sunburnt and in disbelief at what had just been witnessed the arena emptied and the massive crowd dispersed back to the campsite to drink themselves into a stupor and wait for Saturday.

Awaking to another clear blue sky we headed over to the 2nd stage to catch Sonic Syndicate (8/10) who made of the most of their short set demonstrating the talents of new vocalist Nathan J. Biggs and showcasing the songs from their upcoming album "We Rule The Night" which is set to be released on July 30th of this year.

Reckless Love (9/10) playing inside a packed 3rd stage tent proved that the demand for cheesy glam metal did not die in the 1980s and their big riffs, shameless posing and showmanship worked the crowd into a frenzy. Frontman H. Olliver Twisted seemed genuinely taken aback by the reception the band received.

In complete contrast, over on mainstage, Lamb Of God (7/10) provided a slice of sheer brutality on the main stage as Randy Blythe drove the crowd into a swirling frenzy of limbs as fans charged down the hill to join in the giant circle pits which opened up all over the arena.

With the crowd baying for more of the heavy stuff, Thrash Metal giants Megadeth (4/10) took to the stage but were wholly disappoining. Despite including all the favourites they were, simply put, boring. On record Megadeth are amazing but their sound did not transfer well in the outdoor arena.

As the mainstage sound had been pretty poor all weekend I was worried that the next band was really going to suffer but there was no need. Deftones (10/10) sounded perfect from the beginning, packing their set with tracks from their phenomenal new album "Diamond Eyes" along with old favourites "Knife Party", "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Change (In The House Of Flies)" the experimental metal veterans had many of the crowd, myself included, watching in complete awe.

While many of this years Downloaders hung around the mainstage for Rage Against The Machine, I headed over to the 3rd stage to catch former Hanoi Rocks vocalist Michael Monroe (8/10) who with his new band including Hanoi bandmate Sami Yaffa and Ginger from the Wildhearts, put on one of the most entertaining shows of the festival. With songs from his solo albums stretching back as far as 1987 and a handful of Hanoi Rocks songs, the wild-eyed Finn was in fine form, at one point scaling the stage and serenading the crowd from on high. It was a successful end to Saturday and everyone left that tent with huge smiles on their faces.

Sunday began with NWOBHM stalwarts Saxon (7/10) who celebrated the 30th Anniversary of their "Wheels Of Steel" album by playing it in its entirety for crowd more than double the usual amount for that time in the day.

Up next were Glam Metal band Cinderella (7/10) who stuck to their best known hits including "Don't Know What You've Got (Till It's Gone). Frontman Tom Keifer in good form considering that he suffered hemorrhaged vocal chords in 2008.

The biggest mid-afternoon crowd seen at Download (an estimated 90,000) gathered around the mainstage for what was to be one of the highlights of the festival. Slash (10/10) with Myles Kennedy (Alterbridge) on vocals showed off his new album interspersed with Guns N' Roses favourites including "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City". Myles Kennedy was more than up to the task and his voice echoed that of Axl Rose. Myles showed his prowess as a singer throughout the set particularly on "Starlight" and at times outshone Slash himself. A guest appearance from Lemmy on "Doctor Alibi" only added to the party atmosphere of the set. Slash revelled in his position as one of the most loved men in rock and the audience seemed genuinely sad when it came to an end.

As Billy Idol (6/10) took to the stage to the strains of "Ready Steady Go", the heavens decided to open. Most of the crowd stuck with it to dance their way through his collection of hits but with spirits (and clothes) slowly dampening he seemed to lose momentum.

Steel Panther (8/10) came on during the worst of the rain and soon had the crowd howling in laughter and singing along to their lewd, crude brand of 1980s parody metal. A particular highlight was new single "I Want It That Way" which proves that metal even makes the Backstreet Boys sound good. All the favourites were in there and despite having toured their album extensively (and appearing at Download last year) their material still does not seem jaded.

It has been almost a decade since Stone Temple Pilots (7/10) played on UK shores and as the rain eased off Scott Weiland and co. led the very soggy audience through their great history as well as treating us to songs from new album "Stone Temple Pilots". Despite almost falling over once or twice Weiland persevered, finishing on a high with a superb performance of "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart"

As Darkness descended, Aerosmith (10/10) launched into their show with the energetic "Love In An Elevator". The Boston bad boys had the crowd eating out of their hands as the double team of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry assaulted the audience with their unique brand of blues rock. An acapella intro to "What It Takes" and the sight of 100,000 lighters being waved during #1 hit "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" were particular highlights and it was a delight to see Joe Perry taking vocals during what he called "A lot of blues in not a lot of time". With the usual ending of "Toys In The Attic" Download Festival 2010 came to a close, leaving 100,000 fans sunburnt, soaked to the skin and yet totally amazed at what they had just witnessed. Festival booker Andy Copping brought three of the biggest bands on the planet to Donington and despite much scepticism over the decision to have fewer bands playing on the Friday he has once again been proved ultimately correct. Roll on 2011!


Jakk Knox


Photo taken by Jessica Gilbert (Originally From www.downloadfestival.co.uk)