Sonisphere, billed as neither too Metal nor too Rock, always faced a tough challenge going head to head with UK festival giant, Download. With Thin Lizzy, Fear Factory and Machine Head (yeah really?) pulling out disturbing ticket sales prior to the event, the run up to this event was slightly passive. That’s until you arrive on Friday night, the Jaeger is there, the rides are there and the heaving hordes of rockers from all ages are there ambling up the Oxford Street of stalls selling over priced goth tat, assorted gas masks and legal highs. Excitement is palpable. 
   
Soil face the tough task of opening the festivities. They groove out old favourites ‘Unreal’ and ‘Halo’ with vigour. A one-eighty degree turn and short trot is all that is needed for the poppy yet amusing and swaggering reminder of how bad it all got with Alien Ant Farm on the Apollo stage, although ‘Wish’ and ‘Smooth Criminal’ provide a bop or two.
       
Skindred bust out some of their crowd pleasing ragga-metal grooves and Benji excites yet another crowd with undeniable charisma. The arrival of post hardcore rotters Taking Back Sunday who prove to be just a tad more experienced at grabbing attention than a can full of magnolia paint.

Despite a cauldron of varying reactions ranging from horrific distaste and absolute excitement, Bjorn Again do what they were placed on the bill to do and that is simply... to entertain. What is more entertaining seeing an accomplished Abba tribute group perform ‘Enter Sandman’? Not much.

Over in the Bohemia tent, Sylosis execute a set reeking of metallic violence and pummel out the reasons to why they have garnered so much attention of late. 
   
With the attention to Anthrax’s impending set that had been spewed over the internet regarding legend John Bush filling in for the abruptly departed Dan Nelson, it is not surprising that classics like ‘I Am The Law’ and ‘Caught In A Mosh’  go down very well indeed, with a hi-octane example of what is truly ‘Thrash’. The Used fail all together at following such a performance as well as being enticing in anyway shape or form.
       
With Coheed & Cambria missing their ferry and their slot on the Apollo, it’s time for hyperactive, cock-in-hand rock act Airbourne ; causing Knebworth to probably break the world record for having the largest of number of people headbang at one time, they play and energetic set, with one moment of the weekend being their frontman scaling 30ft up the side of the stage, whilst riffing away on his axe. I suppose you have to pull something out of the bag when legends Black Sabbath.. err I mean Heaven & Hell are following up on the Apollo. And what a show! Iommi’s modest swagger and the flicker in his blue shades demonstrate what “metal” really is, coupled with Dio’s flawless lung power (soon to be 70 fuckin’ metal years of age) they perform songs like “Heaven and Hell” with such vitality and supremacy, they command acclaim and Knebworth are happy to give Black...sorry... Heaven & Hell the respect they truly deserve. Simply amazing.

Over in the Bohemia tent, a re-scheduled Coheed & Cambria cause a lot of fuss and play a flawless set robust with musical acrobatics and complexity all neatened into alluring structures. They effortlessly close the set by fusing “The End Complete part III” with a cover of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” into “In Keeping Secrets...”. 

How the hell, have Bullet For My Valentine come as far as they have? Ok, so they put on a show more deserved than playing in some toilet venue in Pontypridd but still, they are no more accomplished than any other generic metal act of their generation, grunts an’ all.
Little known Oceansize play their progressive meanderings with energy and provide an instrumentally intense show.
Well, well, well, Linkin Park, more comfortable in their headline set than they should be. This is becoming a sore sight for fine eyes. Not content at putting out their tiresome attempt of crossing over, shit hip hop with even shitter metal. It is frankly shit-ifying they get away by putting out three dreary tracks by Chester’s side project Dead By Sunrise.  

Thank fuck for Thunder then, who supposedly close their twenty year career with their final show being in the Bohemia tent. Gratifying, rapturous and heavier than a concrete lorry. Farewell guys.