Download Festival 2019: Sunday 16th June

Safyre Rayvenhart Jan 17, 2020

I Prevail were the first band I watched play on Download's Sunday line up. They were a delightful surprise as an infusion of rap-metal mixed in with some harsh growling reminiscent of the noughties era of metal which introduced me to the realm; they will definitely be given a proper listen to when I'm back home.

Next I made my way up to the Pepsi tower to take in the elevated view from the rooftop. Sipping on a ginger flavoured Pepsi with gin and lime I witnessed crowds of fans making their muddy way to the stages which were spaced out quite evenly.

Descending the staircase I caught up with Godsmack whose lead singer I initially thought was James Hetfield as his commanding voice sounded so similar to his. I recognised a few songs although could never attribute them to any band prior to hearing them live, whilst they played an enjoyable set that got the crowd bopping.

Up on the opposite side of the field I trudged my way through thick mud to sample metalcore band Crystal Lake who hail from capital Tokyo, a memorable name I had seen strewn across my band tour news feed many times (they are actually in the middle of their European tour at present). Honestly I had no idea how insanely heavy they were; they now make one of the heaviest bands I had ever seen, and I have been broadening my horizons lately to encompass a truckload of death metal on my concert agenda!

After fuelling up on a crispy duck wrap I dashed through some awaiting fans as the crowds grew bigger for Amon Amarth, who I believe were a headliner for Bloodstock just last year? With this in mind I was gearing up for a spectacle. My expectations were more than met when they played some of my favourite tracks from their discography such as "The Way of the Vikings", "Ravens Flight", "Raise Your Horns" and new track "Crack The Sky", and made a theatrical show of Viking battles and seafaring with a giant inflatable water serpent monster akin to The Beast prop Iron Maiden used on their European tour last year. It was an exhilarating performance that got the crowd going with what must have surprised Amon Amarth's lead singer as he exclaimed, "this is the first time I have seen a rowing mosh pit!" and I already have it in my mind to see them again in the Winter season this year.

Next I headed onwards to see Alcest, a post-black metal band who were playing an ethereal set tinged with a shrieky eeriness that is infamously embedded within the genre.

I stayed at The Dogtooth Stage to catch another Japanese band, Coldrain, a post-hardcore band hailing from Nagoya, who were causing a heavy riot with their melodiously aggressive songs.

Dream Theater were up on my list as one of the main reasons for being at the Sunday Download so I scurried off to see their impressively idyllic and gloriously proggy set. They aimed to please as they played renouned tracks such as "Pull Me Under" as well as from the new album with "Fall Into The Light" to keep things current. I was certainly pulled into a dreamlike state by these masters of their genre.

Last but not least, I stayed at The Zippo Encore stage to savour Slayer's set one final time on their last ever UK appearance. They did themselves absolute justice as they came in roaring with the crowd, pelting their instruments with the same fierce energy as the pyrotechnics that flared up on stage like all hell had broken loose. Having to catch the bus I had to sneak out early before they finished their set, but as I had seen them live just 7 months ago I left with a smile and a sense of gratitude. Slayer, you may be leaving the metal world but your incredible musical impact will always stay with us; thrash for life!

As I left the Download field I kept glancing back with a sinking feeling that it was all over too soon. Even with just a day's experience it has felt like home, with how everyone was so helpful and courteous, with how the shared euphoria beamed across everyone's faces, with the familiarity of people so similar to yourself that it felt like you belonged. These amongst so many more are the reasons I love metal music and all that it embodies. Metal brothers are always and forever in my heart! Life's events come and go but with metal in our souls this life and love is forever <3 \m/

"No one said life gets in the way/
That our plans may change but our hearts remain/
Every time you leave/
I lose a little piece of me/
Finishing the puzzle is the hardest part"
Every Time You Leave, I Prevail