Download 2010: Unearth Rock The Main Stage

Metalcore heroes open the Maurice Jones stage; frontman Trevor Phipps says “It’s a dream to play here”

Posted Friday, 11 June 2010 in

Unearth Fresh from opening the vast main stage at Download 2010, Unearth frontman Trevor Phipps has told Rock Sound of his desire to pay homage to the past while continually breaking down boundaries in heavy music.

The vocalist said: “It’s always important to keep the memory of the past. If it weren’t for people who have passed, we wouldn’t be here and years ago, when Dimebag was killed that was a big thing for us because Pantera were my personal favourite band ever. This year, with Dio and Paul Gray it’s been awful, but you have to continue to push forward. We have to cherish the past and move forward.

“Download is a gathering of the tribes, but you do have to win over the rock fans who don’t know metal, but metal is just a harder offshoot of rock ‘n’ roll. I understand people who can’t get into the really heavy stuff but it’s our job to win them over. Twenty years ago bands as heavy as us could not play on this stage, and each year bands like us break down those walls. It’s a dream for us to play here.”

Phipps also paid homage to legends AC/DC, who take to their own specially-built stage in just over three hours.

“This is our third time at Download but our first time on the Main Stage, so each time is an honour but this time we soundchecked just after AD/DC so I’ve had adrenaline flowing since then. I haven’t had that for a long time – my nerves were wracked but I felt good because it was positive adrenaline. It lasted throughout the set and good hour afterwards, I’ve got a beer now to chill me out but there’s still some going around.

It was a great time, man. A memory for my entire life.”

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