We’ll deliver our verdict on the best bands, the worst acts, the missed opportunities and the what-might-have-beens.
And all this week we’ll be running full reviews of the shows which impacted the most on thousands of rockers and metal heads from across Europe.
BEST BAND: A toss-up between main stage slayers W.A.S.P. and wacky German crew Die Apokalyptischien Reiter. Blackie’s surgically enhanced features and beefed up power chords or a Teutonic gimp cavorting around in studded leather pants – you decide.
WORST BAND: Edens Curse sounded kinda cool on record but looked flat as a pancake on the second stage. And they might not have been the worst band at the festival but New York Dolls were a major disappointment.
BEST DRESSED: Hysterica singer Annie De Vil had sweaty middle-aged men everywhere drooling into their beer. But Korpiklaani’s bass player claims the title of king of cool thanks to his slicked back mane and handlebar moustache.
WORST DRESSED: Geoff Tate’s a great songwriter but the Queensryche frontman has wardrobe issues. A black waistcoat paired with big, bare arms, shades and a ponytail. The biggest mistake since Operation: Mindcrime II. As for the woolly hat sported by Jules from Gun. Wrong. Just wrong.
KILLER QUOTE: “Grimsby told us they were the best rock crowd in Britain” – Edens Curse frontman attempting to whip Wales into a frenzy. Admitting his band had just played Grimsby raised titters, rather than fists.
SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND: Unsigned North East act Remedy had Prestatyn talking after their early-Friday set in the pub. Singer Jenn is a genuine talent just waiting to be snapped up. Go to it record label guys…
WAYSTED: Anyone spot the big bloke with long blonde hair and Hawaian-style shirt asleep against the barrier late on Friday? Snoozing while upright is a difficult skill but this guy made it look so, so easy.
WE WANNA BE SOMEBODY: Fair play to uber-enthusiastic crew Spit Like This who dressed to impress and worked their little asses off up to and including their festival-closing set.
PISSED OFF: The decision to post rushonrock fliers above every urinal seemed like a good idea at the time – then we saw one disappearing down the U-bend in bits. It was a crushing blow in the wee small hours.
WHITE ROOM/SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE: Waking up on a Saturday morning at Pontins Prestatyn in the middle of December is a life-changing experience. Let’s just leave it at that.
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE: Marya Roxx’s manager decided to dish out 2010 calendars of the temptress from Tallin – as well as copies of her new CD. Suddenly December 2010 in the same chalet won’t seem so bad.
EVEN MONA LISA SMILED: The best new Quireboys’ song in ages. Shame the woman at the Stage Two burger bar didn’t follow suit.
GROAPIES: Blackie boasted two of the oldest swingers in town stage right during his blistering set. And we always wondered where he got the inspiration for Animal…