It was a superb line-up of bands over three days, three of the best headline acts that they could possibly have booked, including a 'farewell'* performance from Black Sabbath. There were also so many good bands lower down the bill.
Without commenting on everything I saw and enjoyed, here are some of my highlights.
Killswitch Engage : well on form and having lots of fun.
Rammstein : If I hadn't seen them at the same festival a couple of years ago, I'm sure I would have been blown away by the theatricals and pyrotechnics. But the previous show had been jaw-dropping and I went this year with expectations of them matching or topping those stunts. Which I don't think they did. The music was as awesome as ever.
Avatar : They appeared early on Saturday and I was gutted to only catch the tail end. I've been enjoying the latest album.
The Men Who Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing : I wasn't quite prepared for this, new to me. They announced themselves as the least professional band, that wasn't entirely a lie, but the music was good and the lyrics clever. They put the punk in steampunk, and I'm convinced that everything they utter is poking fun at someone's expense, that possibly even goes for their steampunk image. Lots of fun.
Lawnmower Deth : Another band that you have to see a couple of times before you start to 'get'. Loads of cheap props and costumes. But how amazing was it to see the Kim Wilde appear as a guest?! It's a very long story involving BBC Radio 2; the short version is that the band cover KW's 'Kids in America', she subsequently claimed them as her favourite thrash metal band and has now performed the song (at speed) on stage with them.
Skindred : Not my first time seeing them, but the most enjoyable. I'm still not sure I really 'get' the combo of metal and dub, or the use of a DJ as a musician with a band, but good stuff.
Black Sabbath : I didn't expect this to be a highlight of the weekend but maybe low expectations are the key to having a surprisingly good time. Ozzy's vocals were off at times, way off, but I think this might have been a monitor problem because they clicked in and were great at other times. He was more active on stage than previously, and it was great to see the round shades gone and the scary eye make-up back! Tony Iomi was well on form, playing some great solos and knocking out those chunky riffs. Most of all it was just awesome to see such a classic band performing (they invented metal, didn't they?) The set started at the very beginning (Black Sabbath from the Black Sabbath album) and working through the classic era - Fairies Wear Boots, Snowblind... There were some surprises too... Technical Ecstacy is one of my favourite albums and so I loved hearing Dirty Women.
Halestorm : I was looking forward to this band too having enjoyed the latest album. It's dirty, bluesey rock (as was the previous band, Temperance Movement, a nice juxtaposition). The live performances were even better than the studio album, more animated, more life, loved it.
Tremonti : I'd marked the new album Dust for more listening, and the live performance confirmed the suspicion that this is a terrific album worth more listens.
Nightwish : At this point was an unfortunate clash - Ghost, Billy Talent and Nightwish all scheduled to play at the same time. This was made slightly less difficult when Ghost had to cancel due to illness, unfortunate for anyone who had been looking forward to seeing them. They've been regulars at this festival and on a larger stage before, which is surprising because the latest album has been very popular. Back to Nightwish, I am a fan of the symphonic metal genre. NW aren't my favourite but this was still a very enjoyable performance. As musicians and singers they're incredibly good. I'm not sure about adding the pipes and recorders to the mix. I was also suspicious that backing tracks were in use, there were some complex orchestral sounds but only two hands on one keyboard.
Bruce was on form, mucking about at times, and doing the serious thing very well at other times (he informed us of the Orlando shooting, which led beautifully into 'Blood Brothers'). His vocals aren't what they were when he recorded Piece of Mind and Number of the Beast, but they weren't as bad as they have been either.
I really love the cover, it's great to see the old Eddie back, the 'staggering around' and inflatable versions on stage were amazing.
One of the giants of heavy metal, on form with some great new songs, well-chosen classics, fabulous stage set and effects, well played and well sung. A great end to the weekend.
Oh yes, there was rain. And mud. Lots of mud.
* last one at Donington, but they seem to have plenty of dates lined up for their 'the end' tour.
