Sunday

Sunday is always a great day, especially when it kicks off with Black Spiders, what a show these boys put on it’s just a shame they only get 25 minutes to show the early morning risers what they are made of. Sheffield’s finest start off with ‘Kiss Tried to Kill Me’ quickly followed by the excellent ‘Stay Down’ one hell of a song for crowd participation, ‘St Peter’ has more crowd clapping than the whole weekend put together. ‘Just Like a Woman’ and the excellent ‘Blood of the Kings’ finish the set off in fine style.

Heavens Basement are on their way to the top and todays show gives us a glimpse of what is to come, prowling the stage like a panther on heat lead singer Aaron Buchanan feeds off the audience’s enthusiasm and dictates their every move. Today’s performance is short, powerful and full of energy the excellent ‘I am Electric’ is a real crowd pleaser, but song of the set has to be ‘Executioner’s Day’

Anthrax belong at Download, another excellent display of pure trash is why they belong. With Joey Belladonna back on the microphone the band are back to their best and ‘Caught in a Mosh’ is just the perfect start and ‘I am the Law’ is icing on the cake to a great Sunday afternoon slot on the main stage.

Rival Sons bring a bit of blues influenced rock to Download and they don’t disappoint, starting with ‘Gypsy Heart’ the band gives the crowd an instant bonus with ‘Torture’ and ‘Burn Down Los Angeles’, shame the set was so short but good time Rock n Roll n Blues all the same.

Soundgarden are back and thank goodness they are, tonight’s performance is a little calm compared to how they used jump about the stage in their prime, but the music is still as good and Chris Cornell’s voice is still stunning. ‘Spoonman’ is a great way to start any set and with the likes of ‘Jesus Christ Posse’, ‘Ugly Truth’ and ‘Fell on Black Days’ in their as well it’s a pretty dam good show, the biggest cheer of the set belongs to their biggest hit ‘Black Hole Sun’      

Periphery closed the 3rd stage Sunday evening and despite clashing with Black Sabbath they pulled in a massive crowd, an accolade to their talent and success. This band have come a long way since their self-titled debut album. Lead vocalist Spencer Sotelo seems to have gained a stronger awareness of what his voice is capable of providing a new depth to the bands skills. They played songs from their first album as well as a number of tracks off of their upcoming album "Periphery II:This Time It's Personal" including their latest single "Make Total Destroy" this is a band that is taking a powerful stance in the world of metal and definitely one you should watch if you get the chance!

Black Sabbath return to the hallowed grounds of Donington once again and although it was billed as the ‘original line-up’ it didn’t seem to matter to the thronging crowds that Bill Ward had not pitched for this show. Starting with the haunting ‘Black Sabbath’ it seemed so fitting seeing as the weather we had experienced over the previous 4 days. Taking most of their set from their first 8 albums the band start to thrive on the crowd and Ozzy gets carried away and introduces them twice over the course of 3 or 4 songs. Ozzy, Tony & Geezer patrol the front of their stage dishing out some of the heaviest riffs and lyrics known to man and with the anti-war song ‘War Pigs’ the crowd get their chance to be part of the band as they sing at the top of their voices. Giving in to the ultimate riff of ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ comes ‘Paranoid’ and we the Donington faithful have had our fill once more. 

Until next year, may the god of rock bless your ears with loud Heavy Metal.