Say what you will about Metallica; they’re still loud enough to get noise complaints from the locals.
When the band played at Download Festival at Donington Park on June 8, DerbyshireLive reports that their set could be heard as far away as 15 miles away in the town of West Hallam, resulting in noise complaints.
One of the irritated neighbors says:
“Is it really acceptable to be able to hear Download in Spondon? Eleven miles away, so loud, and at 10 p.m. on a Thursday evening, when we have to get up for work at 5 a.m. tomorrow. Having already suffered the traffic chaos and mayhem caused by this festival, perhaps next year’s event should be seriously considered for the sake of local residents.”
Another reads:
“This is ridiculous; Download Festival is six miles away, and the thudding is unreal, and still a working day tomorrow. Poorly planned this year with bad traffic management, and the sound this year seems louder; sod the people who live nearby, eh?”
Of course, unlike in the early days of Metallica getting told to turn it down, some of the folks who weren’t able to make it to the festival were stoked to be able to hear it for free:
“The greatest metal band in the world and you’re hearing it for free,” says another commenter. “Appreciate it.”
After all these complaints, local police issued an official statement:
“We are receiving a number of calls from residents concerned about noise from the Download Festival this evening. Download Festival is an annual music event held at Donington Park near Castle Donington in Leicestershire.
“We’re not able to help with concerns about noise, but North West Leicestershire District Council have provided information around what residents can expect, and what to do if you feel you are experiencing unreasonable noise levels. For details, please visit this link. Residents can also get more information, including details of noise tests, on the Download website.”
So whether or not you like their new material, it remains a fact that for some, it is simply too loud.