Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced a further 43 acts including Halestorm, FEVER 333, Beartooth, Skid Row, Brothers Osbourne, Stone Temple Pilots, Clutch and more, joining headliners Slipknot, Tool and Def Leppard for the annual rock extravaganza.
Arena rockers Halestorm will make their grand return to Download delivering break-neck riffs and lung-busting vocals courtesy of the incredible Lzzy Hale. Stone Temple Pilots, responsible for megahits ‘Plush’, ‘Interstate Love Song’ and ‘Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart’ will make their first Download appearance with new vocalist Jeff Gutt. Festival favourites and hard rocking institution Clutch will make their sixth appearance, as well as classic grunge rock revivalists Aaron Buchanan & the Cult Classics led by the former Heaven’s Basement frontman.
Beartooth have ascended to star status with their groove-driven singalongs and the release of their third album ‘Disgusting’. FEVER 333 have gained a reputation for their hyperactive, political ‘demonstrations’ which will not be forgotten in a hurry. Palaye Royale are name on everyone’s lips as the unanimous kings of ‘fashion-art’ rock, the exuberant trio have garnered a legion of fans and ready to make a statement. Brighton’s Black Peaks will thrill fans, having previously impressed with their mastery of melody and raw power that have seen them become one of the UK’s brightest metal prospects. Japanese veterans Coldrain will whip up the crowd with their punchy, bouncy metalcore.
Legendary ‘Youth Gone Wild’ classic rockers Skid Row are on course for a hit-filled set. Supergroup Deadland Ritual, featuring former members of Black Sabbath, Guns N' Roses, Billy Idol and Apocalyptica, are set for a seismic performance. Country rock dynamos Brothers Osbourne will add some killer licks to the proceedings, plus the heavy metal Last in Line, featuring members of the original line up of Dio, and Wolf Jaw will also be on hand to deliver some dirty rock n’ roll.
Fans of all things black and death metal will be thrilled with the additions of pioneers Behemoth and At The Gates, both famed for their respective first-of-their-kind mastery of the genres. They’ll be in good company with UK upstarts Conjurer whose amalgamation of sludge, hardcore and black metal have labelled them as massive ones-to-watch. Also added are the ominous Swedish outfit Batushka and Ne Obliviscaris who’ll usher in a new era in extreme music to Donington.
Ascending pop punk rockers Trash Boat have been pummelling the road as one of the leading, forward-thinking bands in the scene and the quintet’s claim to the throne is on the horizon. Rock radio mainstays Three Days Grace are on hand to deliver a powerful performance, as are Godsmack with choruses so anthemic they grant no immunity, alongside Bad Wolves whose viral cover of ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries shot them into the spotlight in 2018.
For those who like their metal delivered with laser-like precision, Animals as Leaders will astound with their technical virtuosity. Heart Of A Coward return to lay waste to the fields of Donington with new vocalist Kaan Tasan. They are joined by tech metal instrumentalists Intervals and UK prog metallers Toska, who have quickly become an exciting force in the ever-growing scene. Newcastle post-hardcore band GroundCulture have been grafting away, building a fierce reputation ready to take on Download, and forward-thinking nu-metal act Cane Hill are also confirmed, whose visceral approach has helped reignite the genre.
Download 2019 will be a truly international affair with the addition of Reputable party thrash heroes Municipal Waste, French post metal/shoegaze Alcest, and Sumo Cyco who have made waves with their fusion of rhythm and dancehall hooks and metal riffs. Flying the flag for Japan are all female power metal stars Love Bites as well as Japanese metalcore titans Crystal Lake. Australian natives Redhook, and Twelve Foot Ninja will also be making the long trip to get the mosh pits started, while Representing New Zealand are hard rockers Like A Storm.
Electronic-infused industrial duo SKYND are ready to make things dark, creepy and sanguine all at once. Bridgend five piece Those Damn Crows are purveyors of melodic, in-your-face and exhilarating hard rock. Icon For Hire have been breaking down boundaries worldwide and are ready to stamp their mark on their Download debut. Up next are pop-punk new comers Lost In Stereo, Manchester’s hottest new band Parting Gift, and last but not least are melodic rockers Vega.
Download Festival is the home of rock music and takes place on the sacred grounds of Donington Park, which has been associated with rock since the eighties. The festival attracts icons of rock to its main stage, plus some of the best and hottest new acts in the world. AC/DC, KISS, Metallica, Black Sabbath, The Prodigy, Rage Against The Machine, Slipknot, Linkin Park and many more have all headlined the main stage.
Published on 28 January 2019 by Ben Robinson
