Festival review: Day two at Download Festival

Our coverage of Day One of the festival can be found here.

Still buzzing after yesterday’s experience I headed on over to Castle Donington for Day Two of the Download Festival. Having gone through the bands to see, and bearing in mind the appalling weather so far, I was pleased to see I was spending the whole day in the Dogtooth tent – lush!

First up today was a fantastic set from Celestial Sanctuary who deliver their own unique brand of Death Metal. It’s got an old school feel to it, clearly influenced by the likes of Cannibal Corpse and Carcass, but they inject their own brand of energy for a truly brutal sound, very evident in tracks like Visions of Stagnant Blood. Just what you need first thing to blow off any campsite cobwebs...

They’re followed by a band new to me in the shape of Knife Bride, from Brighton. Formed by cousins Molly (vocals) and Lauren (synth and vocals) at Uni with friends Sean (drums), Craig (bass) and Sean (guitar). Very much kids of the nu-metal age, they’ve coined the phrase nu-gothika which is quite fitting for their sound. The set is dark and yet punchy, with dramatic moments mixed with quieter almost romantic elements. Highlight of the set was opener Smother (Make Me Suffer) part of a triptych of songs about the stages of sleep, this one expressing the most paralysing part of sleep. Top stuff!

After a short break, I was so excited for the next act, Nottingham’s very own Nyrobi Beckett-Messam and Chaya Beckett-Messam better known as ALT BLK ERA. Hitting the stage in a matching pair of stunning dresses (one black and one white) they unleashed a phenomenal set of their iconic blend of nu-metal, rap, punk and electronic music.

Nyrobi and Chaya bounced round the stage and the crowd were lapping it up. The girls held the crowd in the palm of their hand from start to finish. Catch Me If You Can and Freak Show were stand-outs in a flawless performance. I’ve wanted to see them live for a long time, and I’ll definitely be catching them again soon.

The Dogtooth stage was packed by now. Partly no doubt because of the weather outside, but also because of the standard of the running order in here today. Next up were London trio Calva Louise, who are Jess Allanic (Guitar/Lead Vocals), Alizon Taho (Bass/Backing Vocals), Ben Parker (Drums/Backing Vocals). Coming from Venezuela, France and England/New Zealand, their alt-rock sound takes on a wide range of influences, including latin. The result is surprisingly aggressive and powerful, the sound far greater than the sum of its three parts.

I really enjoyed their set, and I just spotted they’re playing in Nottingham at The Bodega on 4th July – well worth checking out!

I realised I’d been enjoying what was on offer in Dogtooth so much I hadn’t ventured out to check on anything else. I resolved to check out what was going on, right after Guilt Trip. This one was going to be good... Guilt Trip, from Manchester, are a crossover, hardcore five-piece band. The change was very much welcomed, being hard edged, aggressive with some brutal powerful riffs. Jay Valentine’s vocals are just what you want from a good hardcore band – loud, angry and intense, especially good in Tearing Your Life Away.

The place was bouncing, and the surfers were crashing over the barriers keeping security busy throughout. It reminded me of bands like Malevolence – No bad thing…. Music to get that blood pumping – brilliant!

Venturing out into the light I stood and watched one of the best live performers in action, as Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes took over the Apex stage. As always, Frank dived straight into the crowd and was carried aloft easy to spot in his pink jacket. The set was a nice mix of racks from across their career, with fan favourites such as Kitty Sucker, Crowbar and the simply brilliant My Town, along with some material from their 2024 album including Brambles. The set ends with I Hate You, a better live anthem / final song I challenge you to find!

Back in my dry tent for a set from Dying Wish a metalcore band from Portland, Oregon. I really felt for them as their set was delayed by what appeared to be technical issues with the sound system. But it kept going. The crowd growing restless were chanting for the band, and the band were out on stage chanting and cheering with the fans to make light of the issue. Checking in with security I was told it wasn’t just sound issues, the whole site was being shut down because of an approaching heavy thunderstorm! Sure enough, the sky got darker and darker, and the heavens let loose. Thankfully no thunder, but the rain was unlike anything I’d seen for years. 

Finally the rain subsided and the music returned. Dying Wish did a brilliant job in the circumstances and delivered a thunderous set and blew the roof off the tent for the crowd. Watch My Promises Die was a blisteringly powerful number with huge riffs. And the set got heavier and heavier, with the inclusion of Cowards Feed, Cowards Bleed, on which Emma Boster threw out some visceral lines.

Time for another trip out into the wet, and a tricky walk over to catch Slaughter To Prevail on the Opus stage. Led by Alex Terrible, STP are a brutal Russian/British Deathcore band. Alex has some of the most extreme vocals around and is covered in tattoos. The band all in their silver masks... the set is blistering. Starting with Bonebreaker the set just keeps on ramping up the intensity levels. It was amazing to experience Viking live. Alex’s voice is something to behind, especially when the band go silent and he hushes the crowd to roar like a Russian Black Bear without a mic. The sound, the intensity is incredible. 

There’s no other way to describe STP other than….. brutal….. and that’s good.

Next up is Australian progressive metal band Ne Obliviscaris, who deliver up something else very different. Using both heavy vocals from Marc Campbell, alongside the clean vocals and violin from Tim Charles. Equus started us off with some stunning riffs intricately mixed with delicate violin sections. Although prog rock, it has a different feel to it, with some blues like tones in their and an almost latin feel to it. Loved it!

From the relaxing prog rock styles of Ne Obliviscaris, to some more brutal death metal from the delightfully named Dying Fetus. The reaction of the packed crowd in Dogtooth said, these guys were up for the brutal stuff! The guys looked right at home and delivered some huge powerful riffs and heavy bass/drum beats that had the speakers shaking. A circle pit formed right away and once again the surfers were coming over in numbers. Drummer Krey Williams was delivering an insane performance driving the intensity up and up.

Grabbing some food, I took the time to check out the outdoor stages. On the Apex stage were The Offspring, the legendary 1990’s/2000’s US punk rockers. Watching from a distance, I watched as they delivered hit after hit. Dexter Holland and Noodles are brilliant performers and they are headliners in their own right. The hits kept coming with Million Miles Away, Why Don’t You Get A Job, Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) and ending on the classic The Kids Aren’t Alright. There was even a brilliant cover of the Ramones classic hit Blitzkrieg Bop.

Next up, on the Opus stage, was the performance that everyone has been talking about – the mighty Pantera. Hard to believe they originally formed way back in 1981 and fronted by enigmatic singer Phil Anselmo. Now joined by Zakk Wilde on guitar, Phil tells the crowd it’s great to be back in the UK after so long. The set was stunning, and of course, they had to play it didn’t they? Phil says, “If you know this song…. And you should do….. we need you to sing along...” As the first riffs of Walk start – the whole place erupts. A sea of metalheads headbanging to maybe, THE most iconic metal song of all time. With every chorus, the crowd eagerly shout back the lyrics. WOW !

Back in the comforting surrounds of my tent (I think of it as mine now lol) and ready for Cassyette. Entering the stage her look is striking, a cross between Gwen Stefani and Tankgirl. A set that mixes elements of rock with electronic pop, the tracks are well crafted and a breathe of fresh air. Constantly evolving and changing with a dark edge, illustrated most clearly with the final track Dear Goth a song written about having no one to turn to when you need someone the most.

And after a long day, its time for our final act of the day, US industrial metal trailblazers Fear Factory. Dino Cazares and Tony Campos are joined by new singer Italian Milo Silvestro. As you would expect the riffs are ferocious and the bass from Tony is relentless as they deliver hit after hit. The crowd are going wild and lap up every second of the performance. Highlights are of course, the classic hits Linchpin and Demanufacture. It’s always a worry when a band change singer, but I have to say Milo is a fantastic fit for Fear Factory, fitting in so so well. Once again, the surfers are out in force. There is something so hypnotic about the pulsing, thunderous repetitive rhythmic style in tracks like Linchpin. A brilliant end to the day.

An even harder (and slower) walk across the site back to the car in the mud. Time to recharge the camera batteries and get ready for the final day...

Main stage photo credits: Abbie Shipperley (courtesy of Download Festival)

Main stages performance of the day: There can only be one contender – Pantera. The legendary heavy metallers were on stunning form.

Lower stages performance of the day: It has to be local band ALT BLK ERA, who were simply incredible.