30 new bands

[thedudeman]

Im fancying Lemmy to sing Dr Alibi with him.

[Spengs Muck]

idol isnt on the album, but hed be good singing to iggy pop track

[thedudeman]

idol isnt on the album, but hed be good singing to iggy pop track

[Spengs Muck]

is it just me or did anyone else hope halestorm what just a misspelled alestorm?

[jammy2211]

is it just me or did anyone else hope halestorm what just a misspelled alestorm?

[thedudeman]

Pretty boring announcement tho.

[rivalschools.price]

LOL I think they're actually quite funny.

If they aren't clashing I think i'll see them.

[Al21]

As I Lay Dying bit low arent they?

[the_mars_volta]

Just checked out Halestorm and they're great. Bit like a female fronted Shinedown imo.

[bekimo]

Just checked out Halestorm and they're great. Bit like a female fronted Shinedown imo.

[t8yman]

As I Lay Dying bit low arent they?

[Chavmeisterdeluxe]

I am really happy with Halestorm being on the line up. I've been listening to them a lot at work lately!!

[LethalLegacy]

is it just me or did anyone else hope halestorm what just a misspelled alestorm?

[Spengs Muck]

werent breed 77 on the main stage a few years ago? Im sure they were. Now they're opening the third stage? haha.

[Al21]

werent breed 77 on the main stage a few years ago? Im sure they were. Now they're opening the third stage? haha.

[t8yman]

Yep, in 2006 I remember watching them on the Sunday on the Mainstage. They are far too low also.

[hardy]

I think we were spoilt last year with the amount of good bands that were announced, this years turning out to be like 2006 and 2008 line ups which were quite poor. Apart from the headliners this year which are good but that is where all the money has gone. All the good bands seem to tour at the same time, every other year!

[jammy2211]

Yep, me here too. Properly annoyed.

I'm not demanding wall-to-wall metal all over the line-up, but its sod's law when the one truly heavy band - Die Apokalyptischen Reiter - is one that I'm not even fussed about. Not one band got me truly excited when I first heard it on the way home from work.

So to sum up, the bands I'm happy with:

Cancer Bats, The Damned Things, As I Lay Dying, Michael Monroe, Sybreed

Bands I'll have to check out first/watch if nothing better is on: Holy Grail, Rock Sugar (surely quality after a few pints!), No Americana, Straight Lines, Revoker, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter

If nothing better is on: Breed 77, Panic Cell, Year Long Disaster

The rest of the announcements is personally forgettable. There's bands I'm not going to ever get into (Slash, Porcupine Tree), and the rest aren't worth the time.

That coupled with the updated line-up and to be honest, I can forget about AILD if I'm ever going to get a decent view for AC/DC. Same for Michael Monroe (clash w/ RATM).

My fiancée is trying to get me to keep things in perspective by reminding me we're going to see three huge bands in the headliners, and she's not bothered about what the line-up looks like so long as she sees RATM, Aerosmith, and Lawnmower Deth! But I'd like to think I'm getting value for money across the board, and I don't mean the headliners alone - I spent a good chunk of 2008 in the shops rather than the stages because the line-up wasn't exactly cracking. This year the line-up looks...well, I'm not exactly jumping through hoops below the top halves of the stages. And for the first time, I'm actually questioning whether I'm envious of Sonisphere's line-up (especially as I can't afford to go to both).

Maybe it'll be alright on the night. But that's the last time I buy my ticket straight away ever again.

[LethalLegacy]

I agree. Breed 77's position really doesn't make sense. They did play 3rd stage in 2007 but were much higher up.

As I Lay Dying must at least be an early main stage band by now. Then again, looks like Download really have caved in to AC/DC's demands. Even as an AC/DC fan, I'm extremely disappointed if this is the case.

[jammy2211]

Breed 77 are listed for the Saturday on their website so maybe their placement is wrong.

Downloaded some of their stuff last night and it's actually really good - didn't hear anything by them except The River and Ultima Hora when they actually were quite popular but the new album is pretty rad. A much more developed and mature sound then the early stuff.

Tbh I wouldn't mind them keeping that slot as long as they get at least 30 mins, great way to kick off the weekend and its clash free .

[armthehomeless]

All stages end before ACDC start, so AILD will most likely end just before TCV do. Shouldn't have a problem seeing them and getting a decent ACDC spot.

[bekimo]

But everyone at the festival will be looking at getting themselves a good spot for DC, given that they have no real choice but to see them. And then you've got to think about all the people who are only there to see AC/DC.

In all I think that Friday on the main stage is going to end up being quite a difficult time in regards to getting a good spot.

[t8yman]

Near the back, near a bar and bog with a reasonable amount of space for stumblage!

That's what we look for. But we are ancient.

[Spengs Muck]

personally i dont deem a good spot as anywhere too close to the front, it gets way too pushy down there.

I like to be where i can see the stage, even if it is a little further back. Space to stand and less chance of being rushed as soon as a song starts.

But i'm not much for pits so i guess thats why.

[bekimo]

See my idea of a good spot depends on the band. For example, if its a nice relaxing band I'm happy to stay out of the way and toward the back. But if its a lively dancey kinda band then I want to be in the thick of it. And if it's anything with Corey Taylor in it then I need to be at the front, on the barrier, by pain of death.

For AC/DC, I will be happy to be quite far back, away from the sweaty old boys and supping a nice cold bevvie!