AWARD-WINNING bands that played Knebworth this year are raving about the inaugural Sonisphere Festival. An estimated 80,000 metal and rock fans attended the first Sonisphere at the stately home last weekend. The two-day camping event headlined by American

AWARD-WINNING bands that played Knebworth this year are raving about the inaugural Sonisphere Festival.

An estimated 80,000 metal and rock fans attended the first Sonisphere at the stately home last weekend.

The two-day camping event headlined by American nu-metallers Linkin Park and metal legends Metallica went down a storm, both with those watching and the groups themselves.

Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor, who played a solo acoustic set in the Bohemia tent, predicts great things for the festival in years to come.

"I am loving this festival," said the lead singer of the mask-wearing heavy metal group from Iowa, America.

"It has the potential to be one of the perennials that bands fight to get on to."

Slipknot played Sonisphere in Spain and are one of the bands already being rumoured as a possible Knebworth headliner for 2010.

They won two gongs at last week's Kerrang! Awards ceremony in London, including best live act.

Eight groups that played Knebworth - Metallica, Linkin Park, Mastodon, Machine Head, Alice in Chains, The Wildhearts, Limp Bizkit and Bullet for My Valentine - scooped Kerrang! trophies the day after the festival closed.

San Francisco metallers Machine Head, who initially pulled out of Knebworth in a billing wrangle but then returned on the Sunday as special guests, were bowled over by the festival.

"Amazing day. Couldn't have gone better for us," said guitarist Phil Demmel.

"We've had a string of good shows with Sonisphere, but today [Sunday] was special.

"Playing in the UK is always special for us.

"I'd play Sonisphere here again. Absolutely!"

Metallica drummer and founder member Lars Ulrich said: "This is the best yet.

"We played six Sonisphere shows this year and Knebworth was the one!"