Some say rock is dead. Others say it's just sleeping. A select few question the validity of the hypothesis, as a naturally occurring solid aggregate isn't actually a sentient being. Whatever your positive, negative or purely geological stance may be, you can't deny the sheer magnitude of this year's Download festival.
The hallowed fields of Donington will be crushed under many a Dr Marten this weekend and the battle cries “You spilled my pint!” and “Open it up! Open that fuckin' pit up!” will echo through the hallways of eternity, crashing through the English countryside and straight into Valhalla. To prepare you for this glorious journey, here's 10 acts you should see before you board your longboat and sail into the bloodstained sunset.
At The Gates – Main Stage, Friday/14:35
Having had their sound mutated and aped – for better and worse – by everyone from In Flames to Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall to Trivium, At The Gates returned last year packing 'At War With Reality' and it was fucking splendid. Now, watch the masters in action as they destroy their biggest UK stage to date. There will be dual-guitar harmonies, there will be much fist-pumping and there will inevitably be a man dressed as Mr Blobby in the circle pit.
Defeater – The Maverick Stage, Friday/15:45
To attempt even a single concept album is something most bands don’t have the stones to do, but to base your entire career on one over-arching storyline is something that would even make Cradle of Filth shiver. Defeater's crushing brand of melodic hardcore ties up a genuinely heart-wrenching tale that revolves around a family devastated by the second world war, and they've put out some beautiful acoustic tracks to boot.
Clutch – Main Stage, Friday/16:40
If you're growing a beard, shave it off before Friday as Clutch's Neil Fallon will engulf your puny chin pubes in the wiry, matted man-mane that adorns his mug. Aside from a sterling display of facial hair, the rockers will be ripping through the likes of The Mob Goes Wild, Electric Worry and other numbers that you might not know but definitely should.
Heart Of A Coward – Main Stage, Saturday/11:00
Heart Of A Coward have been slogging away supporting their second full-length, 'Severance', for some time now, so a debut main stage slot is thoroughly deserved. While their ruthless concoction of progressive metal and hardcore might be a tad too much at 11am, we'd like to see you try not to shout the “I don't give a fuck!” bit during Deadweight. Get down there early and support some homegrown, world-class metal.
Carcass – The Zippo Encore Stage, Saturday/16:15
It's taken us two years and we're still cleaning our pants following Carcass' immaculate comeback, 'Surgical Steel'. The Liverpudlian grind-melodeath titans are the most extreme band on this year's bill, so they're going to make everyone else look pipe and slippers by comparison. And Jeff Walker will probably say something controversial/hilarious. Keep on rotting in the free world, baby.
Dub War – Jake's Stage, Saturday/17:40
Long before commanding legions of festival goers to strip off and flail their clothes around while pretending to be helicopters, Benji Webbe fronted this ragga-punk outfit. Much rawer and off the wall than Skindred are nowadays, Dub War were a cracking example of pushing heavy metal to an experimental corner of the spectrum and still rocking the tits off all involved. This weekend, Dub War are back. It might not last forever, so see them while you can.
Andrew W.K. - The Maverick Stage, Saturday/19:55
We didn't add Faith No More to this list – as if you need to be told to see Faith No More – but we implore you to miss the last 15 minutes and get your Andrew W.K. fix. The whitewashed party master will be towing his full band into Donington, headbanging his way through an hour of songs with the word 'party' in them and grinning like a stray dog who's just discovered the bins at an all-you-can-eat restaurant. And he might even play She Is Beautiful, which would be bloody lovely.
Evil Scarecrow – The Maverick Stage, Sunday/13:00
After stealing everyone else's thunder at Bloodstock last year, Nottingham's finest freaks are primed to unleash their sci-fi-tinged black metal onto the masses. If the catchy, thunderous riffing doesn't entice you, then surely the low budget theatrics and songs about robot crabs – in which the whole audience is commanded to scuttle – will gouge their hooks though your cheek and drag you in.
We Are Harlot – The Zippo Encore Stage, Sunday/14:25
If you're not catching Mötley Crüe later in the day, you can get your injection of sleaze from We Are Harlot, who are not a throwback band, rather a modern act encapsulating the excess of the ‘80s and humping it into the 21st century. Danny Worsnop and his glam rocking comrades will make you feel dirtier than a Skegness public toilet.
Lamb Of God – The Zippo Encore Stage, Sunday/19:40
You don't even need this explained. Lamb Of God. Festival crowd. Chaos ensues. Job done.
Download Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri June 12 2015 - DERBY Donington Park
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