Black Sabbath closed Download 2012 with a stunning greatest hits set last night (10.06.12).
The British rockers – who were made up of three original members, singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler, with drummer Bill Ward being replaced by Tommy Clufetos – wowed the crowd with renditions of ‘Paranoid’, ‘War Pigs’ and ‘Sweet Leaf’ at Donington Park, East Midlands.
Black Sabbath took to the stage after Seattle grunge outfit Soundgarden – who reunited in 2010 – played their first UK gig for 15 years, and they didn’t disappoint blasting out hits ‘Black Hole Sun’ and ‘Spoonman’.
Lead singer Chris Cornell praised the festival, which was attended by 100,000 revellers, and admitted it is the venue every US rocker wants to play.
He said: "I played Download three years ago on a solo tour and it was great. It stood out as being one of the best festival shows I’d had, certainly that year.
"If you’re in a rock band or you’re a fan, it’s pretty well documented as being the big hard rock festival worldwide. It’s the one.
Earlier in the day, Megadeth, Refused, Lamb of God and Anthrax stunned festival-goers, shortly after Metallica had closed the second day of the music event with a two-hour set incorporating their entire iconic self titled album, known to fans as ‘The Black Album’.
Tenacious D, Black Veil Brides, Turbonegro and Biffy Clyro also took to the main stage on Saturday (09.06.12), while comedy rockers Steel Panther were joined by Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor to perform ‘Death to all but Metal’.
The Prodigy headlined the main stage on Friday night (08.06.12) after dance act Chase and Status had performed an incredible set consisting of their smash hits ‘Voodoo People’ and ‘Firestarter’.
Next year’s Download is set to take place from June 14-16, with early bird tickets available from Friday (15.06.12) on the official website www.downloadfestival.co.uk.