Boy did I sleep! And it was just as well since there were many bands I wanted to cover today including the fabulous System Of A Down. There was also a certain little event happening on the main stage early in the piece, but more about that later.

Download provides just about every service and convenience for its punters including a devilish fun fair ride that I had great fun photographing (certainly not the style of ride for anyone who has over-indulged the night before). The range of food stalls was mind-boggling, fairly priced, and stalls seemed to stretch for miles.

Once again the Snicker Bowl, that I had seen being built, provided thrills galore for BMX and skate fans from the global stars of both sports. The area also provided a fourth performance venue that I unfortunately did not have time to visit.

The weather had been kind, for me at least. Friday’s heat dissipated on Saturday and Sunday under grey clouds that threatened H2O that finally arrived late on Sunday during the last gig. Once again security was firm but friendly, while many St Johns Ambulance personnel were on hand 24/7 to offer aid and comfort.

Download presents the photographer with a colourful, diverse array of acts and punters. It truly is the dream ticket and I had to stop myself shooting wildly to conserve batteries and picture storage. With the limited number of stages and reasonable travel distances, this has to be one of the more relaxing festivals, and I noted that the atmosphere was extremely friendly. Fans play a key role in the success of a festival and at Download 2005 they played their part to the hilt with little hint of trouble despite the record crowds numbering nearly 200,000 over the three days.

And there was the ‘secret gig’ penned in for the Snicker tent later in the afternoon that was revealed the day before as Funeral For A Friend (when I was hoping for Motley Crue…). The scene was set for an excellent final day as I headed for the first gig on the main stage.

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American band DV8 started proceedings on the main stage, and provided my first surprise of the day. The three guys looked very young – no more than 15/16 years old – with the guitarist looking even younger. However, the sound the boys produced was great and if they survive the hype will go on to become a rather special adult band with a massive female fan base.

I stayed on at the main stage to witness one of the more gruesome spectacles of the festival. Society 1’s Matt Zane has in the past performed above the stage suspended by chains and meat hooks. As I approached the stage sure enough he was suspended above the stage secured by four vicious meat hooks that had pierced right through the skin at the top of his back.

One cynic had expressed to me his view that Zane had to do things like this because his music and band were very ordinary - in other words, a PR stunt pure and simple. My own view was somewhat different. The music was good and Zane had a very strong voice, and I wondered whether this performance art was intended to signify something else. My personal interpretation was that he was showing us all that we are be hung out to dry by the various powers-that-be (Blair and Bush?) and commercial interests. Maybe I’m being generous here but that’s what I felt and still do. In any event, Damien Hirst eat your heart out…

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After a short wander to the doughnut stall I returned to the main stage for Mudvayne who gave a competent rather than inspiring show. There was movement and action aplenty but the songs didn’t grab me. I left early for the Snickers tent and As I Lay Dying.

This was more like it! Genuine heavy rock delivered to thrill and engage, and yet another example of the strength of the line-up at the venue. In fact many people I spoke to reckoned that the Snicker tent menu was tastier than the main stage, and certainly it was packed to overflowing throughout the festival.

Then it was time for a gentle stroll back to the main stage for nu-metalers Papa Roach, and another round of fresh, hot doughnuts to keep me going. By 1.40pm the main stage was fronted by a fully stocked audience and the band’s good performance met with genuine and massive acclaim.

I began to feel like a yo-yo as I headed back to the Snickers stage to catch another band I had not seen before. Caliban is a hardcore German band whose songs included a strong hint of melody and introspection. For me, it was one of the more pleasant surprises of the festival and an example of the wonderful eclectic nature of the festival line-up.

Then it was off again back to the main stage for Killswitch Engage and no more doughnuts! This band tours the UK extensively and has built a sizeable fan base – most of which seemed to be in attendance for the gig! I’ve heard great things about this band but I was only marginally interested in their brand of metal. Skilful - yes. Inspiring - no.

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Then it was the turn of Nightwish to impress, and we waited, and waited. Unlike the Metallica debacle last year we were quickly informed that the band was still 30 minutes away from arriving at Donington. The band’s UK fan base head told me that the troupe had performed in Austria the night before and the delay was a genuine one. With all performances moved back by at least thirty minutes on the main stage I had to miss out on seeing the hyped band Mastodon.

Eventually the band appeared fronted by the most attractive Finnish female vocalist, Tarja Turunen. It was worth the wait just to listen to the singer’s operatic tones, and some of the tightest instrumental displays at the festival. This was metal with a commercial goth face, worked a treat and was one of my personal festival highlights.

With my schedule in tatters I hoped I would still catch Lacuna Coil back at the Snickers tent. Fortunately a minibus was available and I hopped on to catch this classic rock band in action. I was not disappointed, not least to find another very attractive lead singer in the dark and dusky Christina Scabbia.

The young lady sported a fabulous voice, and with tremendous vocal and instrumental backing gave another favourite festival performance. The heads swung, the atmosphere was dark and electric, and the songs struck a major chord with me. Superb!

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In inspired mood I then returned to the main stage to catch a band I missed last year. Slayer received rave reviews for that performance but on the main stage this time around, the guys seemed overly restrained. A good but rather weary-looking performance.

My really serious disappointment arrived within minutes of witnessing this performance. Record companies and their PR agents had dramatically limited the number of photographers to cover both Slipknot and System Of A Down shows. This was akin to taking away the main course of a slap up feast. It was a disaster and one that was not altogether comprehensible. However, during the day I couldn’t help notice that the number of photographers had grown to huge and unsustainable levels.

So it was onto Funeral For A Friend in not the best of moods. With the terrible news I just lost interest in what followed and switched to auto-shoot mode. FFAF gave it their best shot and deserved better attention from me…

The ‘consolation’ prize was Motorhead headlining the Snickers stage but my dark mood persisted, and once again my enthusiasm was seriously dented. It was not the way to end a fabulous festival.

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This great and historic event had everything, including aliens and attractive girls with very, very long legs. If I can summon the energy and secure a pass, I’ll be back next year, and maybe, just maybe, silly restrictions will be lifted.