Tag: download

Aug032015August 3, 2015November 17, 2016NoCommentby dan

Are Bring Me The Horizon the next Download Festival headliners?

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bring-me-the-horizon-2015-600x310

2016 would certainly be quite apt for the Sheffield five-piece to headline Donington as it marks 10 years since their first album, Count Your Blessings, which sounded a bit like this…

…although where this particular track would fit amongst the likes of radio-friendly Drown and Throne remains to be seen.

With festival organiser Andy Copping already ruling out a 2016 headline slot for the British quintet, this may not be an immediately pressing issue for the band. But could they headline in 2017? Quite possibly.

Their biggest festival set to date (by then) will be main support to Metallica at this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival. Whilst they probably won’t blow the legends off the stage, there’s something tangibly more exciting about seeing a band rising up the ranks of the rock scene and taking it for themselves; than a band who have described themselves as ‘practically the house band’ of Reading and Leeds. (No disrespect to Metallica incidentally, if you haven’t seen them before you absolutely must!)

However, the aforementioned two tracks, alongside the heavy-but-catchy Happy Song indicate that their upcoming fifth album, That’s the Spirit, will be a landmark release for both the band, and UK rock in general. Having already destroyed Wembley, the next logical step would be an arena tour to support this record. If that sells well, festivals surely beckon, and there’s one headline slot that is just screaming out at the Sheffield five-piece.

We can’t wait to see what’s in store.


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Aug092013August 9, 2013August 9, 2013NoCommentby dan

‘You know how many sick trainers I own?’

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Hacktivist

I’m not normally one to bang on about novelty cover versions, but I’m happy to make an exception in the case of UK grime / metal crossover act Hacktivist.

They’ve been bubbling under the surface for a few months now, and as you can see from the video, have been sending audiences into a frenzy this summer at Download and Germany’s Rock am Ring festival. They’ve been performing this cover of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Paris in their sets for a while, and due to fan demand have released a video and free download:

They’re touring with Enter Shikari later in the year (whose cover of Insomnia by Faithless, incidentally, is well worth a listen..)

The climax of which will undoubtedly be the Vans Warped Tour show on November 17th at London’s Alexandra Palace alongside Rise Against, Billy Talent, Anberlin and many others. It’s also right by my flat, so I may well hold an afterparty. Watch this space 😉


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Jul292013July 29, 2013July 31, 2013NoCommentby dan

‘You know how the saying goes… it’s the size of the fight in the dog…’

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Copy of Shindov_FFDP_0490_z-rev2

I’ve been a fan of Five Finger Death Punch ever since I interviewed them at Download in 2009. If you are wondering what they sound like, the clue is indeed in the title, although as a mate recently came out with ‘possibly not as heavy as you think they’d be’ . This is presumably testament to the melodic vocals employed by the group, however there’s no denying the sheer force of some of the riffs on the new album The Wrong Side Of Heaven and The Righteous Sound Of Hell Volume 1.

The album features an amazing cover of LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out. I’m not generally one for ‘novelty’ covers by rock bands but this really works, the lyrics sounding considerably more menacing, and, ahem, more likely to knock you out than Mr Cool J. It’s actually quite surprising that nobody thought to do it before! Across the album there’s also cameos from Soulfly’s Max Cavalera, Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta, and this banger featuring Judas Priest’s Rob Halford.

Talking of Hatebreed, I’m excited about their upcoming tour which kicks off next week. Here in the South, they were originally set to be playing this year’s Hevy Fest in Folkestone which was then moved to Brixton Academy on account of problems with the site, and then ultimately cancelled. Luckily though, they’ve joined forces with headliners Killswitch Engage for a one-off date at London’s tiny Garage in Islington. It’s already sold out, but if you are lucky enough to have tickets, I’d get there early as they’re both playing headline length sets!


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