The Artrocker.TV Guide to Sonisphere 2011

Last year Sonisphere appeared as a pretender to Download's crown as THE metal festival to go to; it featured Metallica, Nine Inch Nails (Last ever UK show), Alice In Chains, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Avenged Sevenfold and Machine Head amongst others. In short, it had a fairly epic running order.

Cut to 2011, and they've upped the ante for what is essentially a Metallica curated festival. Download has been left clutching at straws to compete this time around, drawing in largely an inferior line up (The Pretty Reckless?!) bar a few exceptions (Rob Zombie, Korn, System of a Down).

Here is our top 10 guide to why Sonisphere should be your festival of choice, and we'll kick it off with The Big Four – The founders of thrash - together for the first time ever in the UK:

1. Metallica

One of the biggest metal bands of all time with a formidable back catalogue and colossal live stuff. Expect pyrotechnics.



2. Slayer

Despite a mid 90s dip these horror loving beasts have been consistently belting out thunderous finger bleeding riffs, Expect bald heads and whiplash.



3. Megadeth

Ah yes, Dave Mustane. Kicked out of Metallica in the early 80s he formed Megadeth shortly after. Fast and furious riffing followed briefly before straddling mediocrity for most of the 90s. You may recognise him from the ‘Some Kind Of Monster’ film; he’s the one who cried. Expect early hits and a guest slot on Metallica’s set perhaps… hugs too? Don't count it out.



4. Anthrax

Collaborating with Public Enemy on their classic Bring the Noise saw them ahead of their time. They like it hard and fast. Expect it hard and fast.



5. Slipknot

Their first major outing since founder member and bassist Paul Gray was found dead in May last year. Corey Taylor made an emotional appearance at Download as Stone Sour shortly after. In 2009 they promised to come back - and here they are. Expect an epic live show and new masks!



6. Killing Joke

Heritage act number 5 in the list are an essential one-to-watch, because as well as reinventing post punk they are also the pre-cursor to Goth and industrial with Ministry and Nine Inch Nails citing them as key influences as well as having a profound impact on a young Metallica. They’ve never really been away and after a few reshuffles, Martin ‘Youth’ Glover has re-joined and this is what many consider the original ‘classic’ line up. Last year’s ‘Absolute Dissent’ proved they are still as venomous as they ever were. Expect front man Jaz Coleman to be on ferocious form.



7. Architects

Brighton based metalcore upstarts have been causing a big fuck off racket of late and will be there to impress. They’ll be one of the heaviest bands on the main stage on Saturday, so get there early. Expect larynx shredding vocals and the moshers to be at the front bright eyed and ready to go.



8. Flats

London based newbies Flats are casing quite a stir with their brooding and violent jerking brand of stripped down hardcore punk. Expect flailing limps and for them to be everywhere in 2012.



9. Cerebral Ballzy

Let’s keep with young punks at the moment and this time from Brooklyn. Cerebral Ballzy have been ripping up small venues through the UK over the last year, it’s dumb and raucous punk that is built for parties. Expect a heaving crowd of hipster punks.



10. The Black Dahlia Murder

Back to some old school heavy metal here. Hard, loud, twisted duel vocals spitting out demonic cries and finger bleeding riffs. This is what Metal festivals are all about. Expect to get kicked in the head by a crowd surfer.



ALSO RECOMMENDED!

Most of you Artrockers will be aware of;

Gallows http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hvF3mDOmSo
Blood Red Shoes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtt2gM3rpZE
Pulled Apart By Horses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzDz5wVs8uw
Rolo Tomassi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoOzpM-yPUA


But you should also check out:

Opeth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G2jlXUkJ84
Mastodon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxelXPg961M
Sylosis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXdPoL1yQsA
Cancer Bats http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-FQ-AzrUkc
Innerpartysystem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSmmM5NdW88
Mojo Fury http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWIeDaz71co