The first day of Download 2026 is in the history books; With the likes of Halestorm, Electric Callboy and the Cavaleras turning in top tier performances. Not to mention headliners Limp Bizkit, who while enjoyable never quite hit top gear. Check out the reports on those bands, plus a bundle more, in our Friday review here.
Being in the arena at 11am on Saturday after propping up the guest bar in the wee hours isn’t always easy. But when its The Wildhearts (8) you are getting up for, particularly bearing in mind recent developments, you get the f*** up. Seemingly many others were of the same mind because the turnout was huge for the timeslot. We were treated to a selection from across The Wildhearts catalogue, all the way from most recent album Satanic Rights Of The Wildhearts to the seminal Earth vs The Wildhearts. Things finished off with a poignant Diagnosis and a hair raising I Wanna Go Where The People Go, and the band and Ginger get an outpouring of love they fully deserved. Possibly the biggest cheers are reserved for Ginger’s dog Maggie, who makes several appearances, which is a lovely addition to things. JG
Having benefitted from CJ from Drowning Pool’s horrific flight cancellations, As Everything Unfolds (8) are upgraded from The Dogtooth Stage to the Opus Stage at the last minute. And bloody hell do they take advantage of that fact. A big crowd greet them; Some their own fans, some Drowning Pool fans who find out the change this way and decide to stick around, some newcomers. The setlist is mainly constructed from their just released album Did You Ask To Be Set Free? – an excellent decision as the new songs sound even beefier than when we saw AEU last December.
The band look completely at home on the bigger stage and frontwoman Charlie Rolfe displays her full range with effortless style. The likes of Point Of View and Set In Flow sound huge, the sound balanced well enough that Jon Cass’ synthy bits can be heard well in the mix – not always the case for artists like As Everything Unfolds on big outdoor stages. They finish off with a one-two punch of Ultraviolet and On The Inside and with an early 2027 UK tour just announced, we reckon As Everything Unfolds just made themselves a bunch of new fans. A big success. JG
There’s nothing like a bit of metalcore in the morning to help blow away the cobwebs and We Came As Romans (9) deliver the perfect early morning wake-up call on Saturday. Returning to Download for the first time in over ten years. The five piece from Michigan stick to a setlist almost completely comprised of tracks from their last two albums. Which is absolutely fine by us as the likes of All is Beautiful and Darkbloom sound fantastic in the mid-afternoon sun.
Bass player, Andy Glass seems particularly hyped up to be back at Donnington Park. Spinning and whirling his way around the stage like the corekid equivalent of the Energizer Bunny. Pushing the mosh pits to go harder and harder with every blistering breakdown. Until their set reaches a suitably crushing climax with Daggers. Leaving us all wondering why it took them so long to come back! HL
Travel issues meant that Drowning Pool (7) ended up switching slots from the Opus stage in the morning to the Dogtooth in the afternoon. While we’re obviously very glad that guitarist C.J. Pierce was able to make it in time, we can’t help but feel sorry that the band missed out on playing a monumental set on the Opus Stage. Despite the shorter set, Drowning Pool waste no time getting down to business at Download, delivering exactly the sort of bruising performance that has kept them a firm favourite for more than two decades.
The disruption doesn’t seem to have affected the band in the slightest, as they blast onto the stage with a rousing rendition of Sinner. The tent is absolutely rammed, front to back and side to side, as sweaty bodies move as one. Guitars roar from the stage while Ryan McCombs’ earthy, guttural vocals drip with menace as they launch into Tear Away.
Twenty minutes pass in a flash and, all too soon, the set is closing with the anthemic Bodies. The response is so huge it feels as though the roof of the tent might lift off. Every word is screamed back at the band, turning the Dogtooth into a heaving mass of bouncing bodies. Although we’re left with some lingering “”what ifs”” about what might have been on the bigger stage, there’s no denying we witnessed a memorable performance. LF
Those Damn Crows (8) have gone from strength to strength in recent years, as you can tell from the crowd gathered at the Opus today. Opening with a rousing rendition of Who Did It, the crowd sings every word back at the band – it’s impressive and fun and clearly not a moment the band take for granted. Still riding the high from last year’s chart topping success, it quickly becomes clear that the Crows have graduated from promising upstarts to crowd pullers.
Man On Fire follows and, appropriately enough, the band are exactly that. The combination of huge choruses, driving riffs and infectious energy in the afternoon sunshine is delicious and irresistible. Shane Greenhall is a charming frontman who seems to make even the huge second stage feel intimate. It’s impossible not to be swept along by his enthusiasm.
“It’s been a while. All I can smell is grass,” Greenhall jokes between songs, prompting plenty of laughs from the Donington faithful. Exactly what kind of grass he’s referring to is left to the imagination. Guitarists Ian Shiner Thomas and David Winchurch blast us with a stream of punchy riffs and bold melodies, while bassist Lloyd Wood and drummer Ronnie Huxford pound a solid rhythm that almost has the ground shaking.
Find A Way combines emotional depth with arena size hooks. No Surrender’s powerful message of perseverance and resilience feels very apt for the hardworking band, and the crowd joins in joyously. The song is perfect for a sunny Saturday at Download, equal parts rallying cry and singalong anthem. Takedown keeps the momentum going, before Greenhall reflects on the band’s recent achievements.
“We had a number one album last year. We’ve done f*** all this year, but next year…”. You heard it here first, new Those Damn Crows music is coming. The tease is met with cheers before the band launches into This Time I’m Ready, sparking another chorus of voices.
All too soon it’s time for closing track Sin On Skin. As Greenhall jumps from the stage and races joyfully towards the barrier to greet their fans, it’s clear Those Damn Crows have genuine affection for their fans. Those Damn Crows have spent years building their reputation through hard work, relentless touring and great songwriting. With a new album on the horizon, 2027 could be a very big year for one of British rock’s brightest bands. The world is their oyster. LF
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Such was the backlash against Babymetal (8) that they had to be smuggled into Download Festival under Dragonforce’s wing. The kawaii metal trio have come a long way since then. Now occupying their very own slot on the main stage, Momometal, Su-metal and Moametal have become Download mainstays.
Having battled several torrential downpours over the years. To the point where Babymetal bringing the rain to Donnington has become an urban legend in its own right. For once, the band have clear skies and they take full advantage of it. Puttiing on an energetic and exceptionally choreographed show. Filled with fan favourites like Gimme Chocolate and PA PA YA!
The only thing that takes a little of the shine off their set is the number of collaborations where pre-recorded backing tracks take up as much of the spotlight as Babymetal themselves. Don’t get us wrong, from me to u, Song 3 and RATATATA are all weapons grade bangers. But with Electric Callboy in particular poised to occupy the same stage this weekend. The lack of guest appearances feels like a missed opportunity. Not that most of the crowd care. They’re all happy to soak up Babymetal in the sunshine for a change and we can’t blame them. We just wish they’d managed to put something together. As it would’ve elevated an otherwise great set to something truly special. HL
Its 5:20pm, the fields are full as far as the eye can see in every direction and Trivium (10) have come to take our f***ing heads (see what we did there?). The End of Everything hits the PA and the moshpits rev up ready for Rain. Then they pull a swerve on us and launch straight into Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr. Pull Harder. As an opener. Its like that is it? Oh yes. Yes it is. Bodies fly. Fists pump. Matt Heafy pulls a thousand faces – all of them showing joy. For the next hour and ten minutes, the fields of Donington Park are awash with moshpits, jumping, and oh so many crowd surfers.
Musically, this is a Trivium greatest hits set. At this point over 20 years in, there isn’t nearly enough time to fit in all the songs that you’d classify as Trivium’s greatest hits – but they give it a bloody good go. If opening with Pull Harder wasn’t enough, they launch straight into Strife without taking a breath. Then follow it with A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation. With each passing song you can from time to time unmistakeably hear the Trivium hardcore fans laughing at how ridiculous the run of songs is. This was everything a Trivium greatest hits set should be (bar not playing Rain). Down From The Sky. Like Light To The Flies. Throws Of Perdition. A healthy sprinkling of newer material. Time seemed to speed up and before anyone knew it, the strains of Capsizing The Sea were kicking in for the earth shattering, set closing rendition of In Waves.
Make no mistake, this was Trivium’s main stage headline audition. Many – including us here at Rock Sins – always felt it was “when, not if”. After this, it must be as inevitable as Thanos that they reach the very top of the Download Festival line up, and soon. An absolute masterclass performance of modern metal. JG
Another wonderful nostalgia band, Bush (7) might not have the longest set of the weekend but they make every second count. Opening with classic Machinehead, frontman Gavin Rossdale takes to the stage wearing an enormous grin, clearly delighted to be in front of such a big crowd. At 60, Rossdale remains a remarkably youthful presence. Every bit the rock star he delivers a polished and energetic performance. The crowd may be a little older than for some of the festival’s other acts, but Everything Zen still gets plenty of us on their feet and dancing.
During Flowers on a Grave Rossdale leaps into the crowd, stopping to take selfies with fans while the rest of the band keep the show going on stage. Closing with I Beat Loneliness, Bush leave us wanting more. While the all too brief set omits some of the band’s biggest and most beloved hits, such as Glycerine, Swallowed and The Chemicals Between Us, what we do get is a fun and thoroughly enjoyable performance from a band that knows exactly how to work a festival crowd.” LF
After leaving Architects just before frontman Sam Carter ran into, erm, shall we say difficulties with the stage management and security, we catch a little bit of Guns N’Roses. Needless to say, we have somewhere better to be, as we arrive in a swelling Dogtooth Stage for one of the stand out bookings of Download Festival 2026: Blood Incantation (9). One of the names that made a good number of people gasp and leap for joy when the line up was announced, the Denver natives brand of Celestial Death Metal, when described like that sounds ridiculous. But that it is exactly what it is, and it a glorious thing to witness. Blood Incantation are a band who can batter their instruments and their audiences senses to the point of collapse for a few minutes, then cede into a three minute ambient section like we are watching the most relaxing of post rock bands. Then they’ll go back to full power, and maybe repeat this process again, all within the confines of a single song.
At the conclusion of the mesmerizing and at times beyond comprehension opener, The Stargate, frontman Paul Riedl announces they will be playing their 2024 magnum opus Absolute Elsewhere in full. Which is kinda hilarious because they just played half of it, and the other half is another twenty minute track. Everyone erupts in joy at the news, and they duly launch into the equally encompassing second track The Message. It’s another ridiculous, mind blowing experience, at which one can marvel at the ridiculous of some of the musicianship on offer.
Even at the conclusion of Absolute Elsewhere there’s ample time left, at which point Riedl lets us know we are going back in time in the Blood Incantation catalogue to their debut album, Starspawn. Specifically, the opening track from that album, Vitrification Of Blood Part 1. It’s a bit fiercer than Blood Incantation’s most recent offerings, but it is no less impressive. This is an utter triumph of a set that looked an inspired booking from the moment it was announced. Lets hope it’s not too long before Blood Incantation return to the hallowed Donington Turf! Download Festival is automatically a better place if Blood Incantation are in it. JG
Reviews by Jamie Giberti (JG), Hank Layland (HL) and Lisa Fox (LF). Photos by Sam Strutt (watermarked) and Jamie Giberti (unwatermarked).
