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High Voltage Festival 2011 (Saturday) - Day 1 @ Victoria Park, London |
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High Voltage Festival
Day 1 - Saturday
23.07.2011
@
Victoria Park, London
United Kingdom
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High Voltage is a Mecca for fans, old and young, of good old fashioned rock and roll. This year’s festival has been given a major overhaul due to a loss of over a million pounds last year; but this has not affected the quality of the bands performing this weekend.
Attica Rage kick start the weekend with an energetic and enthusiastic set, pulling in a large crowd despite their early start. In spite of being relatively unknown in the rock/metal scene, the crowd are enthralled by their performance and at one point are chanting and singing along.
Over on the Prog Stage Amplifier are wooing the audience with their blend of 60’s prog and Porcupine Tree style rock. The mixture of old school Prog fans and the younger metal generation in the crowd show just how diverse an audience these guys have. It also shows that progressive rock is no longer the ‘ginger cousin’ of rock.
The lacklustre performance of Queensrÿche has nothing to do with the bands ability to put on a great show, but is instead to do with the abysmal sound on the Main Stage. With a limit of 93 decibels and no sound coming from the PA, the vast majority of the crowd are left chanting ‘turn it up’ and feeling short-changed.
Whether you’re a fan of the old or new Anathema, there is no doubting the quality, craftsmanship and love that goes into each and every one of their albums and live shows. The fact that they are on the Prog stage suggests their sound (and audience) has transcended from metal into the more progressive realms. Opener ‘Thin Air’ is beautifully performed, with ‘Dreaming Light’ being dedicated to the people of Norway. ‘We’re Here Because We’re Here’ transfers stunningly to the stage, leaving even the most old school fans mesmerised.
Brit metalcore act Sylosis are fast proving to be one of the hardest working bands in metal. Despite “sticking out like a sore thumb”, Sylosis do a fine job with their slot on the metal stage. Possibly the most energetic set of the weekend, front man Josh Middleton conjures up circle pit after circle pit proving once again to be a formidable live force. Whether you’re a lover or a hater of metalcore, Sylosis are a force to be reckoned with.
If good old fashioned rock and roll is what you’re here for, then look no further than Slash. Many would argue that the bulk of his more memorable music lies with GnR and Velvet Revolver, and his performance tonight suggests this to be true. Whilst his performance was enjoyable, the only major response from the crowd was during his renditions of ‘Sweet Child Of Mine’, ‘Paradise City’ (GnR) and ‘Slither’ (Velvet Revolver). With a shirtless Slash making women swoon towards the end of the set, it is difficult not to enjoy the classic, balls out metal!
Judas Priest are not so much a band, but a British institution and have, along with the like of Black Sabbath and Co, shaped heavy metal as we see it today. When Rob Halford announced that the ‘Epitaph’ tour would be part of their last hurrah from the world of metal, there was a collective cry of disbelief – surely Judas Priest were immortal? However, all good things must come to an end and the crowds at High Voltage were expecting something spectacular; and they got it. From the first note of ‘Rapid Fire’ we know we’re witnessing something legendary. Evidence of their lasting popularity is no more apparent than when ‘Breaking The Law’ is sung entirely by the 80,000 strong crowd, and only a band like Judas Priest would get away with four encores! Tonight is a celebration of everything metal, and a chance to say farewell to one of the pioneers of British heavy metal. |
Reviewed by Sarah Worsley
Photography by Daniel Gray & Hans Rock
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Festival Reviews 
