"The Big 4" of thrash metal are joining Slipknot and Biffy Clyro for next year's Sonisphere at Knebworth.

Oh, I forgot to blog about Biffy Clyro joining Slipknot. Well they are and I think that's pretty cool. Biffy are completely opposite to Slipknot on the rock scale which is pretty cool to have that range in bands headlining acts. Should be good, they are a quality band.

Back to the big 4. These guys played several of the Sonispheres last year and their show in Sofia, Bulgaria was shown in cinemas the world over. When they were announce for other Sonisphere and not the UK so many people were disappointed even though Metallica had headlined in 2009. Well the people are getting what they want next year.

With this announcement Sonisphere looks to be topping Download who announced Linkin Park an System of a Down. Both bands I really like but Linkin Park were a bit of a let down with their new album. Bring on the next announcements in the new year.

The Rockstar Taste Of Chaos tour is a European and American (it's now been replaced by Uproar Festival) touring show. This year it's featuring four bands, Hailstorm, Buckcherry, Papa Roach and headlines by Disturbed who (as far as I'm aware) haven't toured in the UK for while. Anyone who knows my will know that of Papa Roach are that I'll most likely be there and of course I went last night. 

Unfortunately, we missed out on Hailstorm. It's a shame as I quite like what I've heard of then and was looking forward to more but life goes on...

We arrived near the start of Buckcherry's set. Sex, drugs and ...? Yup! Rock n roll. Those three things are what Buckcherry are all about. Every song is about women, drugs or both as far as I could make out. I enjoyed these guys. The vocals seemed a little drowned out by the band but the guy has a pretty cool voice none the less. A good, solid display of rock n roll.

Papa Roach next (my favourite band!). This is the sixth time I've seen Papa Roach and what I've learned is that Papa Roach never disappoint. They have completely nail live performances. The energy from the band and most notably the lead singer Jacoby is incredible. I was in the audience with a massive smile of my face throughout. A lot was the same as their show at Sonisphere but I'm not complaining. There was the addition of 4 of the 5 new tracks along with the classics you'd expect ( Scars, Lifeline, To Be Loved, Last Resort, Between Angles and Insects) and the ones I recorded (Getting Away With Murder & Forever). Of the new tracks Burn was my favourite. Forever had a cool new intro which you can hear on the video. I had a good time and as did everyone else. Papa Roach have got many, many years of brilliance to come and I'll be there all the way. 

During the set I managed to catch a Nike trainer. It was a tremendous catch! And luckily for the owner I he saw me holding it in the air and got it back. My good deed of the day done with skills.

The headline act, Disturbed, are a band I've always liked and have wanted to see live. What I always liked about Disturbed is the catchy, head banging tunes and the lead's weird voice. Disturbed were great. All round the set was great from the sound and the visuals of which the best demonstration of this is Liberate. I love how the lead switches from sings to his creepy voice mid sentence. He did manage to call us "Manchester" twice before realising he was in Nottingham. He apologised for this and we forgave him. It was funny. I also managed to get videos of Stupify, 10,000 Fists and Sickness. It was a great set to finish the night on.

I was a little disappointed with the turn out. There were far less people than there was at Pendulum the other week. Personally I think Papa Roach should be filling an arena like that on their but honestly they never got big enough. Disturbed at pretty big so the combination of the two should have sold out.

I only found out about Frank Turner a few months ago and after seeing him at Leeds I saw what my friend had been raving about.

This gig was at the new O2 Academy in Leicester at the University of Leicester. The venue is really nice.  It's small but a decent size, looks and most importantly sounds good. I'm looking forward to future gigs there.

The support acts were Dive Dive and Ed Harcourt. I wasn't paying any attention what so ever to these guys so all I can say is that didn't offend me and sounded alright.

Frank Turner himself was great. His music is all about his beliefs and outlook on life, all of which create feel good and motivational songs. His crowd are very much into singing along to almost every word which makes a fantastic atmosphere throughout the set. I'd like to see Frank again but only after learning every word to everyone of his songs.

This Saturday night was spent in the National Ice Centre or, as it's called on a gig night, the Trent FM Arena. Soon after getting in I was pissed off by having to hand my ticket in and not being allowed to keep my stub! I keep my stubs and they took it away. I'm guessing because it would be easy to pass your ticket to someone who is seated and getting them in but really that's why venues rip the ticket and stamp your hand or give you a wrist band. This annoyance will in future put me off Trent FM Area in favour of Birmingham.

The gig it's self saw Pendulum headlining with Hadouken as their support act.

I saw Hadouken earlier in the year at Leeds Festival and my verdict was "a more repetitive Pendulum". This is still my opinion of them but they were better in Leeds. The volume wasn't what it should have been and I'm guessing it was because the Trent FM Arena is much more open than the tent at Leeds, which is easier the fill with sound. However that bass was pretty good and gone halfway through the volume was turned up a notch. I'm going to stick with the original verdict and that they don't do anything for me but fair play to them.

After an hour wait it was time for Pendulum. Their most recent album is called Immersion and Pendulum's set lived up to the name. It was definitely immerse. Pendulum are all about getting you going and that's what I love about them. They achieve this with wicked beats and some heavy bass. That's drum n bass for you, but what really gets me with Pendulum are their close ties with metal. The show was fantastic and they pretty much played two hours straight. Pendulum are another band I recommend seeing and having seen them six times now I highly suggest you make sure it's indoors. Buildings keep the sound in making the bass much stronger. Of the five times I've seen them the smallest venue (Leicester University. Now an O2 Academy) was the best with this gig and Sonisphere (outdoors I know but I was right near the speakers and it felt sweet!) coming in second. The other three were outdoors at Leeds Festival, Download 2009 and Projekt Revolution.

Something I realised at the gig.... drum 'n' bass mosh pits are a bit rubbish when compared to heavy metal pits you get at your Downloads and Sonispheres. The pits for Pendulum at Sonisphere was great fun but on this occasion lacking. Plenty of pits opened but the majority of the young male audience didn't have much of a clue of what to do. Most just run through once avoiding everyone and stopping. I did wanna shout "fucking get in there" but knowing no one would hear me over Pendulum or that I'd need to step up and mosh  myself, I didn't. Unfortunately, I wear glasses (new ones in fact, that cost an arm and two legs!) and hadn't taken them off I really didn't want to risk them in a pit. I WILL be in the pit for Disturbed and Papa Roach next week I can guarantee you that.

11am on Friday 3rd Decemeber saw the announcement that Slipknot will be one of the headliners for next year's Sonisphere at Knebworth. I rediculously happy about this! Slipknot are one of the best bands you can ever see live. Their live performances are spectical to be held.

We're looking forward to spending our summer in Europe. This tour is about us and our fans. It’s about celebrating the life of our brother, Paul and his legacy. The door is neither open nor closed. This tour is about burning down that door. See you this summer.

Slipknot

The next announcements are due on Monday and following this announcement it's going to be amazing. More information can be found on the offical Sonisphere site. ...SLIPKNOT