Download 2012 Review

While the welly-trodden fields of Glastonbury are given a deserved rest this year, in its absence Download decided to stake an early claim to be crowned muddiest festival of the summer.
 
But the torrential downpours did nothing to dishearten the 100,000 rockers who descended on Donington to celebrate a decade of Download with a hell-load of head banging, fist pumping and devil horns.

CHECK OUT PICTURES FROM DOWNLOAD 2012 IN OUR GALLERY HERE! 

Tenacious D were tremendous – great band, hilarious between songs and unsurprisingly their song Biffy Clyro, who were invited to play Download this year as special guests of Metallica, delighted by delving into their back catalogue and giving fans a taste of their forthcoming sixth album by unveiling two new tracks (Soundgarden and Soundgarden walked on-stage as sunshine finally broke through the sinister clouds which had surrounded Donington for much of the festival.
 
Opening their set with fans’ favourite Spoonman, the reunited Seattle grunge heroes were back and decided Download would be the place to play their first UK show for 15 years.
 
Cornell spotted flags from all over the world being waved in front of him, but the ex-Audioslave singer stated this was a show for Soundgarden’s British following.
 
And they didn’t disappoint, with Rusty Cage and Black Hole Sun getting huge cheers from the crowd.
 
Closing Download 2012 were the band many believe to be the greatest metal act of all-time, with original members Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler reuniting in the name of rock.
 
After being treated to a montage of their wonderful career, the black curtain was lifted and the lovable Ozzy whipped his adoring masses into a frenzy.
 
The MTV reality star sang his heart out and flew across the stage like a headless bat, while Iommi was incredible on his crucifix fretboard.
 
Everyone went “f*****g nuts” (what Ozzy wanted) to the likes of Iron Man, Children Of The Grave and finally their classic Paranoid, as the Birmingham rock gods bowed out with fireworks as loud and proud as their performance.
 
Here’s to the next 10 years... 

Ben Lowe