It’s day two and spirits are still high. Literally and figuraitively. It’s only 5pm but with the sun already in bed we’re making sure we’re not…

Korpiklaani
It’s fine. You DO know this one. It’s the one that goes ‘la-lala-la-lala-lala-laaah’ to the theme of some unwritten Esperanto drinking song. After a few beers it looks like there is an entire army of Finnish men of various sizes, shapes and degrees of inebriation onstage playing instruments (none of which you recognise). The be-dreaded lead singer is the bizarrely charming leader of this folk metal circus, and all and sundry end up hoisting their pints high and chanting along to the metallic humpah party anthems. The metal chug and NWOBHM gallop lends perfectly to the majestic forest metal and brings a late night party feel to the 8pm massive gathered.     

Read what happened on Thursday night!

Delain
Latest Roadrunner Records signing, continentals Delain are here to debut their wares and their attractive frontwoman wastes no time showing everyone their most redeeming feature. Their brand of female fronted metal is nothing new but the songs are strong and a disrobing hottie at the front of the stage is certainly an alluring prospect. You do feel slightly like you’ve been the subject of a Jedi mind trick when you realise that this siren is fronting a rather average pop metal band but you failed to notice as she lasciviously serenades the crowd. It’s not rocket science, but neither are boobs, and they’re great. Delain could well be the heir to Lacuna Coil’s recently vacated throne. 

Hysterica
There is much talk in the aisles and toilet queues about Sweden’s Hysterica, a band of Scandinavian leather maidens with metal in their veins. Their metal is right out of the Manowar song sheet and their front-woman is a convincing combination of metal ice-diva and Scando beauty. Even their drummer oozes natural aesthetic charm as she twats drums like any dude. It’s hard to know where to look, but you know where to listen and soon enough everyone has a goblet or gauntlet aloft as they toast our new metal queens. For a band many will view as cynically motivated this all-female five-piece have much going for them and buckets of promise. Girlschool watch out!

Black Spiders
Black Spiders have already connected with anyone in the UK who likes there rock at eleven. Whether you love Motorhead, Nirvana or The Wildhearts, Black Spiders are a band you can love at close quarters. The danger is however that when everything is turned up to eleven all you can actually hear is sonic mush. You can see the riffs being pulled sumptuously off the fret-board but through an overloaded PA you can’t hear them. Luckily this is a band who clearly know the benefit of vocal harmonies and the musicality of the songs still comes through loud and clear – the battlements on a wall of sound. An energetic and earnest rock band with lots to prove and every intention of doing so.