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For those of you who like a bit of steel in your diet then upon your arrival at Ashton Court, Bristol, you may want to explore the site in search of The Metal Hammer Arena. While the line-up does not boast the kind of metal pedigree that Ozzfest should or The Lost Weekend will, the bands who will grace the stage will inevitably rock your mud-caked socks off…
Metal Hammer Arena – Sunday 5th
First up are dub- metal demons Skindred. After touring recently with semi-popular US nu-metallers Adema, their profile has risen notably. It may be worth getting up in time for one of the more metal bands on the metal stage.
The Dirtbombs are back in the country and they’re on second at The Metal Hammer Arena. The Michigan rockers are either riding on the Detroit coat-tails of the White Stripes, or if they’re just doing it for themselves, just like they have been for years. Make up your own mind here.
Since the departure of influential lead singer Kelli Ali, the Sneaker Pimps have had a change in fortunes. They have never had a hit to rival their anthem ‘6 Underground’ and despite being an established band, remain a lowly third on the bill in Bristol. It may be wise to step away at this time slot.
Seafood – When Will They Stop Touring? Probably never. I’ve seen them almost 10 times in the past year in both support and headlining roles and they are yet to dissapoint me. Expect a rather more beefed-up set as they look set to entertain the crowds with their fantastically enthusiastic anthems.
International metallers One Minute Silence were possibly born to play metal to sing to, dance to, mosh to and bash skulls to. If you’ve never had The OMS Experience you should maybe try it here. They have the potential to render all other bands at the weekend obsolete.
Imagine there’s a big Irish man with a beard and a guitar and he is singing and screaming and gurning. Now watch it. Therapy? will be rocking Irish stylee in your face and on your stomach, treading on your neck and kicking you in the ribs. It’s worth seeing this.
Reef - the Bristolian advert-soundtrack-donaters will make you sing and bounce and cry and stuff. This band are well worthy of headlining this stage because despite many of their critics claiming they are absolute shite, they have never failed to put on an outstanding show for me. If you’re up for a good time without having to decipher intricate lyrics and having to find a riff, then Reef could well be the way you end your Sunday night.
