Review

Big Day Out - Milton Keynes Bowl 1999

This was a small trip for me as having already been to Milton Keynes a few times before and already been to Glastonbury a few days earlier this was seen as a rest. Things didn't work out that way what with bumping the van and running out of petrol before we got there. So every thing was running behind schedule. We finaly arrived at about 5.30 pm and started consuming large amout of alcohol etc immediatley. We decided it would be fun, while wrecked, to throw a small leather football at each other's faces, which we did for some time until the novelty feeling wore off. Not long after, with the help af more booze, i passed out and threw up at the entrance to the tent (which i also did at Glastonbury).

This was now the Big Day itself and at 8.00am I got up to find very few cars there at all. I expected it to have filled up over night but very little had changed. Given an hour or two of drinking vodka and orange washed down by Boddingtons Gold, cars turned up and filled the spaces.

It was now about 10 - 10.30am and we were off to see the wiz/;] er i mean concert.

Right enough of the story line here's the review.

Mercyful Fate. Well it has to be said that for me this was the highlight of my day. A drum beat followed by a chunky riff with the bassist giving a two handed salute to the grateful crowd is the way i like a concert to be started but then, in the background, an eerie whine appeared and grew louder and louder until the man himself walked the stage.
They went through a short yet filling set which was as heavy as lead and screachy as nails on a black board and there was no way you could miss all the theatrics. Despite a bad p.a there were no problems here.

There is one question though. When are they touring here ? 9/10

Queens of the stone age. Well there's not much to write here. They started of weak but grew stronger as it went on. No real songs for people to recognise as this was STONER ROCK through and through. It would probably sound good on recordings but live and with a dodgey p.a it didn't work.

Watch out for the future though they could suprise you. 4/10

Creed. We could draw comparisons with countless modern bands but we will not here today. They stand alone on stage and that is how i will judge them.A good sound but lacking in song writing. There's nothing wrong with this band but little to push them above the rest but yet again something to look out for. Heavy thrash/hardcore sound with pop-ier under tones (or at least that's what i heard live)

Could grow. 5/10

Symposium. I have to confess that i was't going to watch these but they came on and grabbed attention. This was a suprise as I'm not fussed with the stuff I've heard before (on c.d). Yet it was very energetic and very catchy. The main thing which shocked me was how heavy they were. Some good songs for people to remember as well. I may watch these live again but i think i'll miss the c.d's though.

I think they need a heavier singer though 7/10

Sepultura. Always one who thought Max was killing this band I was delighted when he left (no offence ment to Max). This was the first time I'd seen them with the big man Derek Green up front. All i can say is tightness, heavyness, crispness and complete aggression, as this is the only way to describe the show. They appeared in King Diamond face paint (as a tribute or fun i imagine) and one big explosion of drums later they were off at full tilt.Yet again, not a very long show but great.

A must see band now Max has gone. 8/10

Pitchshifter. A band that I own little of yet I've seen them about 5 or 6 times and they blow me away every time. Energy, fun, heavy and with a crackle of power you can't help but love.

Short and simple, they're great. 8/10

Ministry. How the mighty have fallen. The sound was there, the song were good but the band could be compared to the Rug Rats after raiding their parents wardrobe. Could have been THE highlight but ended up, due to complete non-commitment to try and lethargy, as the naffest thing I've seen in years (and that covers some sh*t i can tell you).

Retire proud NOW. 3/10

Monster Magnet. I only listend to these as my legs were fealing the strain. They sounded good though and judging by the crowd they entertained as well which is what it's all about. I have seen photo's of the on stage fire in mags and from friends which was a little tacky but cool.

Proud and loud. 6/10

Ben Harper & Innocent Criminals. Cool name and sound but I think he felt a little out of place. We watch from some distance but i could still see the afro. Yet all the things that went against him I think he earned some friends, not one's who are likley to buy records but ones that may go to see him live again. Bluesy and mean, he sounded to me like Hendrix with attitude but then again he was a long way off.

Give the man credit. 5/10

The less said about these the better. There's nothing personal i just hate their music, it's to obvious and popy.

What they diserve. 5/10

Placebo. Now as a fan of these for a while this was a treat as it was the first time live for me. I missed the opener but never mind. The crowd seemed mixed with we love him over here and you F=#.'ng nonse over there which was a pitty but thats the live atmosphere for you. Played well and did the bizz by playing some of their moodier stuff and all the hits also. Nice clothes as well (gotta have a larrfff aven't ya).

Good stuff lads and ignore the macho idiots. 6/10

Marilyn Manson. Love him or loathe him he's here and shit always happens when he's there. And just on cue shit happened. In the middle of the weekest set I've seen him play that perfect example of the British Festival flew through the air and landed at great speed apon Mr Manson. Yes you guessed it, it was a bottle containing . . well it could have been water,beer, lemonade or most likely urine of some sweaty old metaler who's been boozing on scrumpy for two days, I'll leave it to you to decide. Of course Mr Manson asks the person responsible gentley to appear on stage for a game of face fisting (is that legal). Even though every person in the crowd said " Yes it was me you sad woos" he still eclaimed " I thought not, they're always cowards". Basically thats it.

Not as good as he has been.And what happened to the new image. 6/10

Metallica. I've seen Metallica awfull and I've seen them great but this started awfull and ended great. It was great to here Bread fan as the opener (being welsh as are Budgie) but Master of Puppets was the biggest live cock up I have ever heard.To say he Kirk played it wrong is an understatement but it really was bad. They made some excuse about crushing in the crowd to cover up but I'm afraid it didn't work. There were other mistakes but on the whole their set wasn't all that bad including creeping death, fight fire with fire, sanitarium (i think) and of course they played one, enter sandman, of wolf and man, the thing that should not be etc etc. Still even though they were quite good they still haven't shown me the great talent which is apparently place apon them.

Topsy turvy. 7/10

Somehow we got home about 3.00pm Sunday after being lost about 6 times. Now look to the future with Reading/Leeds (August bankholiday) and the Ozzfest (if it ever happens).

Remember this is only my oppinion. . . SO LISTEN TO IT>.

THERMITE