Day One Headliner: Slipknot
With the campsites already open for two days, and the familiar smell of the festival (noodles, barbecue and toilets,) the gates to the arena opened under the usual grey sky, sending the early birds happily towards shorter sets by Rise To Remain, Architects, Uriah Heep and Asking Alexandria to name but a few who pass by in a frenzy. Papa Roach are the first major draw, stamping the first steps of the strong Nu-Metal representation, and lapping up a good crowd response, showing no signs that their brand of metal is as dead as some might suspect. Over-lapping on the second stage, and pulling away some crowd come Dragonforce, wowing with their usual complexity and grandiosity, and inspiring a rousing sing-along that is only bettered when classic rockers Europe roll-up and play through a very good set of newer material, that is hilariously undermined when they play The Final Countdown and the place erupts in unprecedented single voice. Next up, the highlight of the day comes with Korn, no doubt motivated by the point they've never quite proven in their last few appearances at Download, swirling through their genre-jumping set-list with precision and the kind of infectious swagger that made them such a great band in their heyday. The crowd ate it up, which is probably more than can be said of Bullet For My Valentine's follow-up, which doesn't go down nearly as well. The set was loud and energetic, but you can never really shake the feeling that it's all a bit forced, and while the sound is catchy, it's a show characterised more by cliché. Cutting off the end of Bullet to make the short trip across to the second stage meant seeing something entirely different. Gypsy Punk rockers Gogol Bordello could never be accused of being cliched or copycats, and their colourful set, wild and occasionally bonkers, pushes Korn for the highlight of the day crown. And finally, UK-favourites Slipknot take to the main stage, offering an emotional and furiously heavy set, dedicated to their fans and to Paul Gray, which never drags its feet into melancholy. Frontman Corey Taylor frequently has to tell the crowd to calm down to avoid injury, as mosh-pit squalls open up quickly, and the crowd surges forward to greet the energy of the music. Some might have questioned the band's status as headliners a few years ago, but with another rip-roaring top-billing under their belt, even the most committed detractors will be biting their tongues. The band are loud, committed and passionate, and their infamous brand of energy and showmanship is a wonder to behold, even at a festival famed for its energy. As a side-note, if you were delayed by a car breaking down just outside the West Car Park, and holding up traffic for a while, you have my apologies. That was us. Next up, Saturday and Iron Maiden...