Less than a fortnight after granting us fifteen new bands including Bowling For Soup, Opeth and Black Label Society, Andy Copping and the team at Download HQ have done it again. This latest announcement contains no less than twenty three acts ranging right across the broad spectrum of rock and metal, so without any further messing around lets get down to business.
Heading up this substantial announcement is a European festival exclusive performance from NWOAHM favourites Killswitch Engage. In a huge coup for Download 2014, Donington will be the only place you can see Adam D, Jesse and the guys unleashing their anthems in a field anywhere in Europe this Summer.
Fellow favourites over the years at Download, and now armed with their new release Kill The Power, Skindred will be unleashing their unique sound on Donington Park once again. Their always charismatic frontman Benji Webbe is very much looking forward to returning to Download:
The last few years have been an epic time for Skindred. The band has gone from strength to strength collecting more and more friends and fans along the way. This Download announcement has excited us more than ever, as we once again return to the home of ROCK. We shall bring and take to another level the energy and excitement that we are world renowned for. So bring a spare t-shirt and let’s get the Newport Helicopter flying higher than ever before.
Also returning to Download for their second appearance are a band who are no strangers to controversy for their on stage antics (particularly those of their lead singer), The Pretty Reckless. If you don’t know what we’re referring to, we’d recommend you come see them to see what Taylor Momsen decides to get up to this time around!
Fresh from hitting UK stages last November (including in London where Rocksins managed to catch them), American metallers American Head Charge are returning to Download for the first time since 2006. They’ll be alongside Texan shirt & tie wearing deathcore rising stars Upon A Burning Body as well as two more bands of that nature, first timers King 810 and Never Say Die Tour veterans Emmure.
A variety of bands from slightly lighter styles will also be on board for this years’s Donington festivities – be it South African grungers Seether, US emo-rockers The Used or the blues rock guitar stylings of Joe Bonamassa.
In the last announcement it was confirmed that Phil Anselmo would be bringing his side project The Illegals to Download for the first time. His former Pantera bandmates Vinnie Paul and Rex Brown will also be present as they bring their new supergroup Kill Devil Hill to Donington for the groups’ UK festival debut. Goth metal project September Mourning are also appearing at Download for the first time, with their performance promising to be something very unique. Another first time appearance will come from US 90’s rap metal act Crazy Town, who’s presence on the line up has already had the social networks talking in large amounts.
The UK is also well represented in this newest collection of bands. Joining Skindred in the home grown acts in this new announcement are the riff lords of Malevolence, UKHC stars Polar, melodic hardcore group Heart In Hand and London rockers Lyger.
Last but by no means least another trio of the continents finest and one from the far east; Danish rockers New Politics, Dutch metal act The Charm, The Fury and the mighty power metal of Sweden’s finest Sabaton! To finish off the announcement Crossfaith will not be the only Japanese band on the line up as Coldrain round off the twenty three new bands.
All of the above bands join headliners Aerosmith, Linkin Park and Avenged Sevenfold as well as Rob Zombie, Trivium, Fall Out Boy, Status Quo, Sikth, Steel Panther, Alter Bridge, While She Sleeps, Crossfaith and dozens more on the line up for the 12th annual Download Festival. Tickets remain at 2013 prices ONLY UNTIL FRIDAY 31st OF JANUARY. From February 1st 2014 the ticket prices will increase to 2014 rates so if you’ve seen enough to convince you to attend this years’ Download Festival, snap your ticket up from www.downloadfestival.co.uk this week to save some money.
Further announcements will be covered here in due course. Stay tuned to Rocksins.com for a huge exclusive interview with Download Festival / Live Nation main man, the one and only Andy Copping himself. That will be coming in the next few days so keep your eyes open!
