This is my mates review but since we agreed on the ratings etc im going to use it

Band Ratings

0 – Epic Fail
1-2 – Bad
3-4 – Ok
5-6 – Good
7-8 – Very Good
9 – Awesome
10 – Amazing

The festival prep really started on the Wednesday before leaving, considering waking up at 10am that day was the last time sleep was to be had until arriving in Nurburg. A day of much excitement considering what was soon to be happening (but also a day of work…). Anyways, after work was done, packing was finished. Dave came round soon after and the wait to leave for London City Airport was on. Watched Lee Evans XL tour to try and make the time go quicker and sure enough at 3.30am….the journey was on.

London City Airport = not the easiest place in the world to find, but right by the Millennium Dome. When arriving there, got checked in fairly quick (only annoying aspect of this was the snooty bitch that I checked my bag in with). Airport was very basic, to the extent when the flight was delayed, had to resort to buying a £10.50 breakfast to keep me entertained. £10.50 breakfast included a sausage, scrambled egg, bacon, a “portion” of beans and toast. Also came with cereal and the worst cup of tea known to man! Flight arrived and what I like to call GERMANIA could really begin.

Upon arrival, it was fairly smooth going. Train to Koblenz, Bus to Nurburg. Simple as. Arriving there though was a bit confusing. Got off the bus and there was no evidence of what to do next. After talking to some people (who despite the language barrier, were very friendly), discovered we had to go to what seemed a very random location to get wristbands, and then camp in the arseholes end of nowhere on a fucking hill! After going to get a crate of beer (glass bottled beer FTW!) sleep was needed. Living the hardcore lifestyle, going to bed at 7.30pm on the first day of a festival!

FRIDAY

After 14 hours (!) sleep, it was time for Rock AM Ring to begin. Not even knowing where the arena was, we embarked on a walk (which resulted in the first Frikadelle of the festival – awesome). When arriving at the arena after what seemed like a fucking monster walk, strolled around the arena and headed to the Alternastage, and pitched up by the second barrier for Steriogram.

STERIOGRAM – 7

An entertaining band. Dave discovered they did a song he loved which was funny. Steriogram had a very good set and provided a good start to the festival.

ANIMAL ALPHA – 1

Oh dear god. One of the worst bands I’ve ever had the misfortune to see live. The band was ok to listen to but the singers vocals were horrible imo. When she announced the band had to go offstage – one of the highlights of the festival. Horrible band.

SEETHER – 8

Seether played a fantastic set in such a short time. Heard a number of songs I hoped to hear and enjoyed their set a lot. First band I planned to see at the festival and they came through for me.

BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH – 5

Only heard one song by them, and it sounded decent enough. Can’t give a higher rating because I didn’t see more.

TOKYO POLICE CLUB – 6

They were a good band who had a good set. Didn’t know any of their material so wasn’t waiting for a particular song. They entertained me and did what I thought they would do, and that was fill time up until the next band.

OPETH – 3

Excited when they came on stage, and then they bored the hell out of me. Nothing more to say really other than they weren’t bad, I just didn’t get into their set.

SERJ TANKIAN – 8

Always entertaining live. Another artist who played all the songs I wanted to hear and also does a great cover of Dead Kennedy’s Holiday in Cambodia. Very good set.

INCUBUS – 7

I saw these cause it was easier than going to the tent, then back to main stage. Don’t really like Incubus, and at times their set was boring. They did however have fantastic parts of the set and it was very good overall.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE – 10

I felt like shit before they came on. Nothing to drink or eat since about 10.30am and just wanted to vomit. They came on and its like my stomach acids settled. Amazing set, fantastic atmosphere. Very happy I’ve now seen them live and the set was just perfect. Kinda predicted the crowd would go nuts for ‘Killing In the Name of’ over other (arguably better) songs but not really an issue.

MOTORHEAD – 8

Bit of a cheat saying I saw them really. It was so slow getting out the arena that I was able to hear 3-4 of their songs. Only remember Killers, and that was great. Made me want to locate the money to go see them in November.

Sleep was needed again. Friday came to a close by trying to fix the tent in the rain with no shoes on. Good plan mikey!

SATURDAY

After a large bottle of Fanta and a Frikadelle, headed to the arena for the first bands of the day. Legs still were killing from near 12 hours of walking and standing the day before so a few sitting breaks were in order for the day. However, that’s for another review.

RAFAEL WEBER – 7

Very entertaining band, sounded like a German Bloc Party. Can’t really say a lot more about them other than they did a good job opening the Alternastage.

GAVIN DEGRAW – 7

Very entertaining again. Covered a wide variety of genres I thought. Didn’t play “Follow Through” which was a bit of a let down but I’ll live.

ALPHA GALATES – 6

A drummer who’s also the vocalist – good show!

ALTER BRIDGE – 7

Very entertaining again. They do a song which is a wrestler in WWE’s entrance music (bet I was the very last person to know that). I enjoyed them.

DISTURBED – 9

Fucking epic! Didn’t enjoy the random moshpit that opened up right where I was standing (behind the 3rd main stage barrier!) which meant the whole set was survival more than anything else. Setlist was almost perfect. Best band on the Saturday at that point for me

KATE NASH – 7

I was joking with the guy I went to RaR with about going to see her. But when it occurred to us that she clashed with In Flames….really there was only one choice . She was very good, and well worth seeing.

MADSEN – 6

Weren’t bad. Sat through them really while waiting for the next band (who were in the tent)
AIRBOURNE – 10

Un-fucking-believable. Loved every minute of their set. Fairly certain they went over the 20mins they were allotted. Oh well – made it better. When the lead singer climbed that stage scaffold…..holy shit!

NIGHTWISH – 9

Thanks to Airbourne, arrived late for Nightwish. Not that it bothered me overly considering I’ll be seeing both bands at Wacken. Anyway, sound problems metaphorically raped Nightwish. Such a high rating because you could see they really wanted to put on a great set. I Wish I Had An Angel suffered a lot. A massive shame.

BLACK STONE CHERRY – 10

Their set was amazing. Loved the new material and the cover of Voodoo Chile at the end. The first album material they played just rocked. Atmosphere was electric

ROSE TATTOO – 8

Really liked their set. Didn’t know any of their stuff in detail to love it though. No complaints.

SAXON – 9

Sounded on great form. Great crowd responses to them. Would have liked to see them open air, but can’t win them all I guess.

METALLICA – 11

Strange a band scoring 11/10 but when a band make me shake with excitement at the beginning of songs I’ve already seen them do live, they deserve it. Crowd sucked at first (where we were) but we moved away from them and got in a good place where people were just singing, clapping and generally having a great time. Few setlist issues personally (Playing So What on every date and then not at RaR….thats just mean!) but loved them. Still buzzing about their set, and cannot wait for Reading where I’m going with the sole purpose of watching them play to a bunch of indie kids who have no idea what the fuck is happening to them

THE VERVE – 4

Similar situation to Motorhead, except hung around for 2-3 tracks, then left and heard some more on the walk. They were ok, nothing more, nothing less. If I’d paid £40 here to see them, I’d be pissed.

SUNDAY

Arrived at the arena and got a nice 2nd barrier spot to the right of the stage in the shade

RIVAL SCHOOLS – 6

Good set by this band, but I don’t think the open air stage helped them. Looking forward to seeing them at the Wedgewood Rooms, and maybe they should have played the tent stage.

LOSTPROPHETS – 9

They were fantastic. They did back up my theory that they could be entertaining for a shorter set, but headlining would have dragged the score down. Despite some overexcited male fans crushing/humping, it was a awesome part of the festival

What followed however was not awesome in the slightest. Before LP came to the stage, security blocked the path of the exit (where there was also an entrance to the front of the crowd). They were allowing no-one past…not even to exit the crowd. This was concerning as I wanted to leave to go to the Coca Cola tent. The crowd (in its wisdom) decided there were more of them than the security and just started pushing and crushing. After nearly breaking my arm twice and my foot, I fought out the crowd, and then dove back in to rescue my mate. Security really fucked up there and it was bad. Some people were screaming for help and got none.

TURISAS – 10

What a way to have the spirits picked up! Amazing set. Very short which was a shame but I love Turisas, and they didn’t let me down.

DISCO ENSEMBLE – 3

Ergh, boring, uninspiring and did not suit open air at all. Provided a nice sit-down break. End

KID ROCK – 6

I won’t lie; the intention of going to see Kid Rock was to gain some much needed lulz. None were found, and actually he was good. Enjoyed the songs I heard, and he did American Bad Ass early, which made me happy.

FAIR TO MIDLAND – 4

Only caught one song on the way back to the tent. It sounded ok. Pretty much it about them.

SONIC SYNDICATE – 10

Holy shitballs these guys ripped the tent a new arsehole. Loved their set. Going to look out for this band more in the future.

PENDULUM – 10

After some technical difficulties (something backstage blowing up), they came out and were amazing. I love a good number of their songs, and it was fantastic getting to hear them live.

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL – 4

Ergh, did not keep me interested. The lead singer kept saying “we don’t know if iyou are having a good time, we are!” Didn’t like him. Music was ok though.

BLACK TIDE – 10

Ruled. Nothing wrong with their set imo.

OOMPH! – 10

One of the highlights of the festival. Amazing set, amazing atmosphere, all in all, superb.

DIMMU BORGIR – 10

If you are going to Bloodstock, watch Dimmu, as they were just on. Pyro/fireworks inside the tent = Wins!

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – 8

Very good. Played everything I wanted to hear. Great way to close the festival.