PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
.@DownloadFest confirm new acts and day splits!
Hot on the heels of Sonisphere’s announcement on Monday, Download Festival has announced another 24 bands to the bill…and also revealed their day splits!
First up, Bring Me The Horizon, who have literally destroyed everything in their path since they released fourth album ‘Sempiternal’ last year. Says frontman Oli Sykes:
“We’re over the moon about playing Download. Before we got confirmed I had already asked for guest list as there was no way I was going to miss Linkin Park play Hybrid Theory in full. When we were offered to play on the same day and on the same stage just a few hours before, it was a no brainer. I’m crowd surfing to ‘Papercut’, mark my words!”
Dutch symphonic metallers Within Temptation are also confirmed, making their first appearance at Donington since 2008. The band said:
“We’re thrilled to let the beast loose at Download again! We’ve got such great memories, we can’t wait to play the tracks from our new album Hydra and retake the stage at Download. Give us rain, we will bring fire!”
Rock veterans Twisted Sister are also added – Dee Snider and co to make a triumphant return on the second stage before headliners Status Quo. A message from the ‘Sister reads:
“The band cannot wait to get back to their spiritual home in the UK: With this year’s performance at Download, Twisted Sister looks forward with great anticipation the celebration of the 30th anniversary of our worldwide, multi-platinum (6 million) album ‘Stay Hungry’. Get ready Download because WE WANNA ROCK!”
Also confirmed to play are Sepultura, Fozzy (fronted by WWE wrestler Chris Jericho) and Behemoth, who are headlining the Pepsi Max Stage on the Saturday night. Behemoth’s Nergal said:
“It’s a great honour to be part of the bill for this year’s Download. It’s one of the most prestigious Heavy Metal events, not only in UK but in the whole of Europe! This summer’s schedule already looks great, but with Download in it we are looking at something truly epic! The UK never disappoints! We owe you and we shall deliver!”
On the subject of headliners, Trivium, initially playing an intimate headline slot on the third stage will now headline the Zippo Encore Stage on the last night, allowing a larger number of fans to see their very special set including the songs they played when they made their Download debut in 2005.
Other acts confirmed for this year include The Howling, Zoax, Press to Meco, Collibus, Reignwolf, Radkey, and Bad Touch, whilst Monuments’ former FellSilent frontman John Browne will be joining his djent co-pioneers Sikth on the Download 2014 bill and Dan Reed will return in 2014 accompanied by his band, the Dan Reed Network.
“For, the Dan Reed, the return to the major rock festival scene has been a long time coming: The band members and myself are deeply honoured and thrilled to be a part of this year’s Download Festival, which marks our first major festival in over 20 years!”
Donington debutants include Christian metallers Skillet, 80s rockers Tyketto and Winger, and melodic post-hardcore merchants We Came As Romans. American hardcore legion Defeater will also make an appearance while Cage the Gods will provide a healthy dose of sludgy, balls-out classic rock.
Finally, Zebrahead and Twenty One Pilots add an alt-rap twist to this year’s party, which will also play host to some incredible post-metal dreamscapes courtesy of international sensation Skyharbor.
For tickets to Download 2014, go here. To see everyone else announced, who’s playing what day and plan your festival, click here
