Slipknot
Download have set the bar high for the summer festival season with a jaw-dropping line-up of some of the best hard and heavy acts on the planet, Getintothis’ Nedim Hassan gives us the lowdown.
Download have stormed out of the blocks with their first line-up announcement for 2019. Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool have been revealed as the headliners for what has the makings of a truly epic rock and metal festival.
In particular, the announcement of a rare UK festival appearance from Grammy award winning prog-metal innovators, Tool, who last headlined Download way back in 2006 will undoubtedly delight many metal heads. Their set promises to take the crowd on a journey through their illustrious back catalogue, although many fans will be tantalised by the potential to hear new music considering that they have been reportedly working on the follow up to 2006’s 10,000 Days.
Slipknot return to headline the festival that helped solidify their reputation as one of the world’s premier metal acts. With new music also scheduled to appear in summer 2019 and the potential to witness classics such as Spit It Out, Psychosocial and Before I Forget, their set could easily steal the limelight for the entire weekend.
Slipknot at The Echo Arena
Rock legends Def Leppard also make a welcome return as headliners to Donington Park. During what will be their only UK appearance in 2019, they will mark their appearance by playing their truly massive 1987 album Hysteria in its entirety.
Aside from the main stage headliners, the overall line-up looks to be the strongest for several years. British hard rock royalty will be ready to storm Donington once again as Whitesnake return to the site of some of their greatest performances. They will be joined by a cast that features metal pioneers such as Rob Zombie, Opeth and seminal death grinders Carcass.
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The strength in depth of the initial line-up is reflected in the diversity on offer. From ragga metal crowd pleasers Skindred to metalcore veterans The Amity Affliction to new school thrash metallers Power Trip, there is something for every headbanger’s palette. For details of the line-up to date, visit downloadfestival.co.uk.
The Download festival takes place on June 14-16, 2019 in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets will be on sale 2pm on Thursday October 25 at 2018 prices until Tuesday November 6.
Metal editors note: There is no doubting that this is a huge statement of intent from Andy Copping and the Download team. The appearance of Tool is genuinely intriguing, particularly if it coincides with the release of a new album. While the other two headline acts are familiar faces to Download regulars, the initial line-up features surprises such as the return of post hardcore pioneers, Underoath, as well as future prospects such as Starset.
The reappearance of seminal extreme metal act, Carcass, together with the likes of Opeth, Amon Amarth, Power Trip and Slipknot gives the festival a refreshingly heavy sheen that has sometimes been missing in past years. Download hasn’t always felt like a straightforward metal festival and nor should it have to be. Yet, it is apparent that they have recognised that they perhaps need to do more to entice those more interested in the heavier end of the spectrum.
Download‘s organisers also continue to respect Donington Park’s hard rock heritage. The return of Whitesnake, Slash together with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators and inclusion of 80s rockers Tesla will certainly go a long way to satisfying the veteran denim and leather wearing brigade.
All in all, an impressive announcement and it will be fascinating to see how the rest of the line-up takes shape. – Getintothis metal editor, Nedim Hassan
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