It’s been long speculated that off the back of their worldwide smash hit album .5: The Gray Chapter Slipknot would be back at Download in 2015, and the rumour mill has proven right. For the third time in their illustrious career the Iowan metal nine piece behemoth that is Slipknot will headline the Download Festival, headlining the Friday night for the second time (with the other time being 2013). Slipknot’s legendary frontman Corey Taylor had this to say:
Being invited back to Download always feels like coming home. Headlining Download, for the 3rd time, feels like the culmination of a life’s dream. It’s an honor, a privilege and we’re all looking forward to it.
Joining them in the special guest slot is a band we’re so excited about we can barely type the words, the metal gods themselves Judas Priest are making their long awaited return to Download after a seven year abscence. With their new album Redeemer Of Souls seeing The Priest return to their roots after their concept album Nostradamus, expect a shit load of old school heavy metal in the best form imaginable, THE PRIEST! The band are thrilled to be part of Download 2015:
We are thrilled to be performing at Download 2015 as the band continues its 40th anniversary ‘Redeemer of Souls’ World Tour that brings us home to see and hear the roar of our #priestfamily.
Flying the flag for the newer generation and continuing their relentless march towards one day headlining Download , the mighty Five Finger Death Punch will play their biggest European festival slot to date thus far when they appear directly before Slipknot and Judas Priest on the Download 2015 main stage. With a sold out UK tour under their belts earlier this year and massive success from their double album The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Ivan, Zoltan and co are geared up to put on their biggest UK showing so far.
If that isn’t enough for one massive Download Festival announcement, there’s the small matter of the UK’s favourite southern rockers Black Stone Cherry headlining the second stage. After the success of their huge arena tour with Airbourne and Theory Of A Deadman, BSC are back to headline the second stage at Donington for the second time, further cementing their place as one of their generation’s top rock bands. Black Stone Cherry guitarist Ben Wells wanted to tell everyone:
Getting the opportunity to not only return to one of our favourite festivals, but to come back as headliners of the 2nd stage, for the 2nd time is just UNREAL! After the recent tour we just finished in the UK, we didn’t know how to come back in a bad ass way and thanks to our friends at Download and the fans who keep us going, we’ll be back to rock your ass and give you the best show we can! Thank you all for this opportunity. We love you and we’ll see ya in June!
The Download Festival 2015 takes place at it’s usual location, the UK’s spiritual home of rock and metal otherwise known as Donington Park on the 12th – 14th of June 2015. Tickets and other information can be found as the festival’s official website www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
A second announcement with another headliner and more bands will be made tomorrow. Stay tuned!
