Sunday was my final day at Download as we were leaving straight after the last act. It was a lovely warm morning with the sun shining over Donnington, it didn't stay that way. The morning meant packing up early so that the two in my car could go see some random, obscure band. So that was was one trip to the car, quick change of footwear from boots to trainers, and then back to camp for the last of the sausages (nom nom nom). Then once more a trip to the cars to help the other guys out before heading in the arena.

First on the menu was the guy known as Slash. For the set Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge) did the voice. That was awesome. I'm a huge fan of Alter Bridge and like the sound of Myles Kennedy's voice, a lot. Slash alone would have been cool but Myles was a huge bonus for me. The set was quality although Napalm Death were a little loud in my left ear until we moved forward. I think two Gun n Roses songs were played, including Sweet Child O Mine, which was definitely my highlight. The only other song I can remember being played was Starlight and that's my favourite off Slash's self titled album. Now that I come to write about it I can't remember once mentioning Slash to anyone who's asked about Download. That's wrong of my as it was quality.

Next up was a newly formed band who go by the name of The Damned Things. This band is one of those super groups, comprising of Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die, and Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax (who also makes an appearance with Steel Panther later on). The Damned Things were another totally new band to me and I think the same for most of the audience. Their performance was solid and (from a sound quality point of view) sound great, helped by being central to the stage. However, similarly to Them Crooked Vultures, nothing really stood out for me. But give them their dues much of the crowd enjoyed it and I'll be giving them another chance sometime when they get on Spotify.

Straight after The Damned Thing were The Dillinger Escape Plan. Everyone I was camping with were all saying great things about them but now it was my time to decide. They were... not for me. To their credit there was an abundance of energy in their set if not a bit over the top? They were jumping on and off amps constantly and there was a dedicated guy to move things back to where they were. As for the music I didn't like. Really it was just noise (that does make me sound old but it's turn). I don't get what people were raving about. 

We didn't stay for the whole of Dillinger because my mate wanted to seek shelter as the rain started to come down. So we headed in the direction of the third stage where Whitechapel were soon to start. On the way past the main stage Billy Idol was planning. Most people know that name and everyone knows White Wedding but what else has he done? Nothing else I can say I really care about. While walking by I heard a little of him and nothing impressed me. This main stage slot should have been given to some one more deserving I think.

In the shelter of the third stage it was time for Whitechapel. These guys are yet another band I've heard rave reviews of and when I come to list to them I cannot hear what they were talking about. In short Whitechapel shout. They gave me not reason to stage. They actually made me go out in the rain again. On my own I grabbed some over priced, cold pizza and headed back to the second stage. This time as I past the main stage Motorhead were starting up, cool, but I wanted to get a good spot for Steel Panther.

One of the weirdest things about a festival are the people you bump into. I just so happened to leave one person who I'm going home with and then bump into the other. Feels weird when you're amongst around 100,000 people. 

Porcupine Tree were still on the second stage. They were a nice change from Whitechapel. Decent and pleasant music performed well. This is one of those bands I don't really know too well but I know one of their songs, Blackest Eyes. From what I saw and heard Porcupine Tree did a good job. Another band to add to my Spotify playlist.

Next up on the second stage were a band who make me smile just thinking about their awesomeness. Steel Panther!!! I had been looking forward to these all weekend. It was still raining and everyone was little a little miserable and very soggy. That all changed when the pink lights of Steel Panther were turned on and they came on stage. Steel Panther were legendary. These guys are such great fun. They aren't a band to be taken too seriously but they are all talented. With Steel Panther there is always boobs! Everyone woman on the shoulders of someone got their boobies out when they were seen on the big screens... and for that they got huge cheer from the crowd. Just like the last show I went too Steel Panther got couple of girls on stage to show their boobs and make out. Boobs. That's enough boobs (for now). They opened with Death To All But Metal, unfortunately Corey Taylor didn't join them for this. The panther did get one guest on stage in the form of Scott Ian (Anthrax and The Damned Things) for Asian Hooker. Steel Panther brightened up every one's day. I highly recommend seeing these guys and next time they are about I will be sure to be there.

After Steel Panther, we (a different we this time) headed back to the third stage for some shelter but there wasn't any room. To be honest I wasn't too bothered about the cold and the rain even though there wasn't a dry area on my body. I'm not sure who was on the third stage but they didn't interest me. Back we headed to the second stage so for Airbourne.

Airbourne had already started and when we arrived their guitarist was half way up the side of the stage. He got to the top, with guitar, to huge applause from the crowd but to the anger of health and safety. The sound was cut and he came down. It was a cool stunt and very impressive considering the rain was still coming down heavily. Old school rock bands like Airbourne are always entertaining. One thing that I particularly remember about them is the sing saying "we play rock for real people"... as apposed to what? Unreal people? Silly really. Airbourne were really good. 

All weekend, and much of the week I had been debating with myself who I should see. Stone Sour or Aerosmith. First I thought Stone Sour, then Aerosmith and finally on Sunday I decided on Stone Sour. I have to say it was undoubtedly the best decision and here's why. 

The rain stopped just before Stone Sour came on. Stone Sour's whole set was quality and the crowd was so strongly behind them. If think they played three tracks from their up coming album and from what I heard the new album will a most. What really made Stone Sour's set a highlight of Download was the solo performance of Bother by Corey Taylor that he dedicated to the late Paul Grey (Slipknot). This was the most emotional performance I have ever seen. I honestly had a bit of a lump in my throat during. It'll be hard for any other artist I see to come anywhere close to this performance. Bother was followed by Looking Glass and part way through that the rest of Stone Sour join in again. They ended with 30/30 - 150 and I came away so happy. Corey Taylor is at Sonisphere this year and is set to do an acoustic show. I WILL be there. Stone Sour, on top of their new album, are touring as well. Again, I WILL be there. 

Aerosmith were still on stage so we did have a listen. I really wasn't to bothered about them. I do Aerosmith but like many people it's all about those few songs everyone knows. They aren't a band who I was bothered about missing. What I did catch of them was good. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing was one of the few songs I got to see. My lighter came out for that. The sight of hundreds of lighters swaying in a crowd is really cool. We didn't wait Aerosmith to finish before heading to the car. 

The highlight for Sunday was undoubtedly Stone Sour and in particularly Bother. 

Download Festival has just announced 22 bands that will be playing at Donington in June and I can't help but think I'm missing something. I look at the list and see only 8 bands I know and only 2 that I'd actually pay to see, Steel Panther and 36 Crazyfists. It  so happens I have paid to see these two bands before. The other 6 bands I've heard of are Coheed and Cambria, Airbourne, HIM, Dillinger Escape Plan, Whitechapel, and Saxon. I know of these bands but I can't say I listen to any of them on a regular or irregular basis. That said I might be missing out so tomorrow I'll be on Spotify checking these (and all the others in line up) out.

To me the 22 bands doesn't seem that impressive. However Download is such a big festival and has 100s of bands each year so they are covering all the bases with such a varity which is good so long as the one's you want to see don't clash.

In two weeks time I believe it's Sonisphere's turn to announce bands and when that comes I'll post my thoughts on that too. As it stands Download and Sonisphere both have very strong headline acts. But when you go down the line up Sonisphere seems stronger to me.

Anyway, here's a full list of the newly annouced bands.

• Coheed and Cambria
• Airbourne
• HIM
• Dillinger Escape Plan
• Cinderella
• Steel Panther
• We Are The Fallen
• 36 Crazyfists
• A Day To Remember
• Whitechapel
• Hell Yeah
• The Blackout
• Dommin
• Taking Dawn
• Job For A Cowboy
• Saxon
• RATT
• Unearth
• Lawnmower Deth
• Rise To Remain
• August Burns Red
• Y&T

Last night I when to see Steel Panther at the O2 Acadamy Sheffield. The night started off with a one and a half hour wait between getting in the support act starting. I thought that was a bit of a long wait but the night was worth the wait.

The support act were The Sirens. A trio of sexy ladies who did a few burlesque routines to metal songs. They were only on for 15 minutes but I can safely stay every guy in the auidence was extreme pleased.

After a few minutes it was time for Steel Panther. It was probably the most fun gig I've been to. They played most of the songs from their Feel The Steel album which was cool but what was the most fun is what happened between songs. Lots of interaction with the audience, mainly consisting of commenting about hot girls and what they were do to them. Steel Panther manged to get four girls from the crowd up on stage and show their boobs. Yay!

Steel Panther are all about image but the music was really good too. Classic 80s rock with the stylings of bands like Whitesnake, Bon Jovi... I could go on. Community Property was my favourite and had everyone singing along. To be honest people were singing to every song.

The night  was great fun and they annouced they'll be at Download this year.

Here are the three videos I recorded.

1. Eyes of a Panther
2. Asisan Hooker
3. Death to all but Metal

Steel Panther - Feel The Steel Tour Videos

Just before Christmas, Steel Panther were played played in the office quite a lot. There's were I first really go into them. Now I'm addicted. They are great. They aren't anything serious just lots of fun, although their music is pretty good. My favourite song is Community Property. Here's the official video unfortunately it's censored :(.