Friday 4th July 2014, American Independence Day and the day Black Sabbath took over Hyde Park. For the purpose of this blog I will be concentrating fully on the gods of rock and metal.
The supporting bill included some other major names in heavy music and so the decision to get a ticket was simple. I just wish I had waited until someone accidentally posted the link to the friends and family tickets that only cost £2.50, but no matter.
(Scores out of 10)
Arriving at the festival site slightly later than planned meant missing Soulfly which is rather annoying as they are a band that I have never managed to see. Seems to be a conspiracy against me seeing them still!
So my opening band of the day was Motorhead (7), these guys can still rock with the best of them but it is clear that Lemmys' frailty is becoming an issue. Still, I don't think anyone telling him that will stop the guy taking the stage and blasting out the hits. A 45 minute set included all the stalwarts you'd expect to see, including an impressive drum solo from Mikkey Dee to allow Lemmy a breather backstage. A decent enough set from the guys but it may be time to start dialing back. After pulling out of their Wacken show after 30 minutes last year they are returning to Germany at the end of the month, it will be interesting to see how that works out this time round.
Following that, we had Faith No More (10), being my first time seeing them I couldn't have been happier. A superb setlist which the band blasted from the stage without a thought to slowing the pace. The band are so tightly knit it's amazing to think they had a ten year hiatus not so long ago, which has definitely been put into history. Mike Patton showed his incredible vocal range from quoting the Exorcists' "your mother sucks cocks in hell" (a quote he said a number of times!) through to a brilliant cover of The Commodores' 'Easy'. The band included the world premiere of two new songs in their set and it has to be said, they sounded bloody marvellous! Really looking forward to what these guys do in the future.
Before the next band on main stage I took a quick stroll around the site and caught part of the Blitz Kids (7) set on the Summer stage (or Little Bandstand as it would be better called), they sounded pretty good and I will look out for catching them again so that I can give them a proper listen.
Back on main and Soundgarden (8) took to the stage. I saw a bit of their set at Download 2012, funnily enough sub-headlining to Black Sabbath, and really didn't think much of them. In fact, when I saw they were subbing at BST, I was looking for any reason to not see them. The fact I gave them another go was a good call in the end. Chris Cornell started the set by telling the crowd that he wouldn't be chatting too much as it was 20 years ago that the album Superunknown was released and they were going to be playing it in its entirety. And it was awesome! They sounded great, Mike McCready joined them on-stage for title track 'Superunknown' and the band, much like FNM but with an additional 2 years, have really pushed on since their hiatus, including a new album, and seem to enjoy what they're doing again. I don't know if they will look to write and put out another new record or just carry on with more live shows, but either way, they were well worth the watch.
Cutting the Soundgarden set 4 songs short, I walked into the Village Hall tent to see another band that have eluded me until now (and a subsequent second time. But that's another story for another blog that may be out soon). Before I get into that, it has to be said that BST didn't seem to think this stage through, it was pitch black inside and everyone struggled to see when they walked in and tried to find a spot to stand. Maybe some house lights could help before the band start, just a suggestion. However, after finding a space, the stage erupted when Gallows (9) arrived on the scene. Nothing like a blast of hardcore punk after a day of rock'n'roll to blow the cobwebs away and keep your attention focused on the front and centre. Lead singer, Wade MacNeil was in the crowd as soon as guitarist Lags had played the first note. These guys are ferocious and punishing in delivering their hard hitting music and don't let up for a second until the final note is played. New song 'Chains' sounds amazing and the new album that Wade promised would be out in Autumn is looking like it'll be a belter! They ended the set with both Wade and Lags in the crowd and it was great to see, not only the appreciation from the fans, but the respect shown right back by the band. Many bands say thanks for the support but these guys know their roots and were happy to be right in the mix with their fellow music loving family.
Before the main event I stopped by the Summer Stage where Turbowolf (7) were delivering their brand of hard rock. They seem like a decent enough band, one to keep an eye on in the future. I didn't hang around long as I wanted to get a good spot for Sabbath but did see the Cuban Brothers (5) performing 'Ace Of Spades', which seemed good fun. Until I noticed the non-singing guy in the tight fitting onesie and so can only give a mid range score. Some things you just can't un-see!
But now it was time for what we had been waiting for, the mighty Black Sabbath (10) took to the Great Oak stage and made it their own. I thought they were superb at Download 2012, but I think this time they were even better. Ozzys' voice was near perfect. Tony Iommi slung his guitar through riffs and solos like there was nothing to it. Geezer Butler kept the low-toned bass driving throughout each song and long-term stand-in drummer Tommy Clufetos fits in nicely behind the skins (and isn't afraid to control the crowd with a frenetic solo whilst the other members have a quick break). The setlist, including 2 songs from new album '13', could not have been much better. 'War Pigs' is a great opener to lure the crowd in straight away and once in their grasp there is no escaping Black Sabbath as they hurl their fused style of doom, prog metal (and in the latter stages of the show, buckets of water) at you. 'Children of the Grave' was belted out as if it was 1971 and the band had only just written it. The encore consisting solely of 'Paranoid' ended a fantastic Sabbath gig and Ozzy and his band mates thanked the crowd for the unwavering support throughout the years.
The huge fireworks finale signaled the last show of this tour and indeed it may well be the very last Sabbath show ever, depending on Iommis health and whether or not he and the others feel they want to continue. But if it was the final show, it was a hell of a send off! Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 'til the end.
Thanks for reading.
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