KILBURNFLYER

The 2nd instalment of the Hard Rock Hell festival was as enjoyable as the first. The line-up wasn’t quite as much to my taste but was good nonetheless. After a 4 hour drive from London picking up two mates on the way we arrived to be greeted by a very dull and overcast Prestatyn – the camp itself has clearly seen better days but you spend so little time in the rooms that it doesn’t matter. Check in was well organised and everything was ready and waiting for our arrival. Room right near the main venues which was good and all as clean and basic as you would expect. No complaints. Missed the first half of Big Linda which was a pain as especially wanted to see them but Heavens Basement and Attica Rage were both good – latter band fronted by a guy we met last year. Budgie and Lizzy on the main stage were also both superb and the raised VIP viewing area was great – worth the extra by itself. A few technical hitches spoilt the start for Budgie but they recovered well – opening with Panzer Division Destroyed and finishing with Breadfan was great. Lizzy stormed through a very familiar set list – Jailbreak to start and through most of live and dangerous (Rosalie and Rocker both sadly dropped) and closing with Black Rose - by themselves made the whole day’s travelling worthwhile. Organisation of venues was a bit chaotic – it was pontins first time with a proper rock festival – so nowhere near enough bar staff and lack of a decent smoking area late on were irritating. The end of the day (somewhere around 3am) saw Tigertailz do an absolutely storming version of Creeping Death – the song of the weekend.

Day two started early – Spit Like This on stage at mid-day – but worth dragging myself our of bed. Stage 2 saw most of the during the day action – Waysted and a very impressive band called Pride Tiger were the highlights. Met Pete Way in the Bar (where else) before the show and what a nice bloke he was – always had time for his fans and very chatty with everyone. His other band members a bit nervous about how much Vodka was going down his throat before the show but they performed well – Pete Way is one of the few people who could get on stage in a Spice Girls T Shirt and not look a complete dick – the man is a legend. Pride Tiger were superb – bought their album last night and a second listen confirmed my view that they are a very tight band. Met the drummer/singer – also very nice chap – who told me they are playing the Barfly in Camden on Friday – also with Big Linda so am definitely on for that. Orange Goblin and Clutch were both decent but Black Label Society were a bit disappointing – far too much dicking around on the guitar and not enough getting on with playing more songs. Highlight of the whole weekend were the Wildhearts who were just fucking brilliant. For some insane reason I have not seen them before in spite of a mate telling me I should go every time they have played over the last 6 or so years. Completely blew everyone else off stage. The whole thing rounded off by Viking Skull good solid set and Blitzkreig who covered 4 priest songs in a long medley and were a fitting end to a great weekend.

Roll on Hammerfest in April.