June 15, 2008 20:04

Coheed And Cambria whip up mellow afternoon crowd at Download

Frontman Claudio Sanchez uses tongue as a plectrum

Coheed And Cambria played an impressive set at this afternoon’s (June 15) Download festival.

Taking to the stage at 5.40pm (BST) all dressed in black the New York based four-piece were backed by two blonde singers to perform tracks from their last four albums.

Although very vocal when singing frontman Claudio Sanchez barely spoke throughout the 50 minute set – preferring to headbang his dark afro mane in time to the band's tracks.

Biggest cheers of the set came for tracks 'A Favor House Atlantic' and 'Cuts Marked In The March Of Men'.

The latter saw Sanchez retuning his guitar to a wall of feedback wails before launching into the track that saw him playing hair metal riff interludes while smoke pumped out of the stage into the crowd below.

However it was during 'In Keeping Secrets Of The Silent Earth' that the band really picked up the pace.

Just before closing track 'Welcome Home', Sanchez showed his appreciation to the crowd saying: “Thank you guys very much, you've been brilliant.”

The band then launched into the song that saw Sanchez masterfully playing his guitar strings with his teeth towards the end.

Keep up with this weekend's (June 13-15) festival action as it happens on NME.COM. For news, pictures and blogs keep checking the NME.COM's Isle Of Wight Festival page and NME.COM's Download Festival page for live coverage from both sites.