Live Review : Download Festival on June 16th 2019

Sundays at festivals are usually greeted with mixed emotions; sadness that it is almost over and adulation that within twenty four hours you can have a hot bath and use a real toilet. I had planned on starting my Sabbath with much feted Glaswegian pop-rockers Lost in Stereo, however less than two tracks in, I decide that they are far too light and frothy for 11.00 am on a Sunday. Their syrupy Weezer like melodies are a bit like nursing a hangover with camomile tea as opposed to nuclear strength coffee, so I abandon them to seek more abrasive stimulation. Sorry Guys.

Gig ReviewStewart Lucas24 June 2019Download Festival 2019Tool, Slayer, The Smashing Pumpkins, Download Festival, Download 2019, Lamb Of God, Alcest, Amon Amarth, Black Peaks, Heart Of A Coward, Blurred Vision, Black Futures, Cane Hill, Lost In StereoComment

Live Review : Slayer + Lamb Of God + Anthrax + Obituary @ MEN Arena, Manchester on November 9th 2018

It was only in 2010 that I saw Slayer headline a three quarters full Academy, just eight short years later they pretty much filled the Arena. But this is no bog standard Slayer gig, this is, apparently, the end and everyone wants to get one last look at Slayer before its all over. Because the truth is at some point over the last decade Slayer replaced Black Sabbath as being the officially recognised dictionary definition of Metal. They have become metal's spirit and essence distilled into one band. And now they are going away.

Gig ReviewStewart Lucas11 November 2018MEN ArenaSlayer, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Obituary, MEN Arena, Manchester, 2018, ReviewComment