Download Festival have always delivered with their line up in one way or another. If you're not too keen on the stuff over on the Main Stages you know that the lower stages will be able to deliver on something. So that's the benchmark? "Deliver". Well, we think most of you will be in agreement that some of the most exciting performances all weekend are set for the Third and Fourth stage. Yes of course the big guns will pummel everyone and grab the headlines, but there is a generation in Heavy Music right now who are brewing and beyond ready to take it all on. With Part Three we give you out top picks from both the Third and Fourth stages across each day.
Friday
Raging Speedhorn - (Fourth Stage, 22:15pm - 22:55pm)
We caught this band at Desertfest a few weeks ago and to say they ramped up the intensity would be a disgusting understatement. Ever since Raging Speedhorn returned they've been on an absolute warpath within the live scene, bringing a level of chaos and brutality many critics argued they wouldn't be able to match from their first stint. Needless to say, even if you were taking this band on the face value of the new record alone (which you shouldn't), they'll bash through what will probably go down as one of the most unassuming 'sets of the weekend' when they headline the Fourth Stage on Friday night. Of course the competition is STRONG over on Main, but if you're able to split your time between the two you'll have a very rowdy night indeed.
The Wildhearts - (Third Stage, 18:25pm - 19:10pm)
We've fawned over Ginger Wildheart a hell of a lot here on Room Thirteen, and for good reason. The Wildhearts have written some of the most underrated huge tracks in all of heavy music. Their songwriting abilities have often been sorely overlooked, and it's difficult to grasp that they are so low down on the bill as a result of this, but one thing is for sure, if you're in the tent for The Wildhearts, you WILL have an awesome Friday night. They'll bring hits, new stuff and rare gems in between - absolutely top band.
Heck - (Third Stage, 15:30pm - 16:00pm)
You'll often find that in today's world there will be a vast amount of criticism in the heavy scene for too many bands who 'play by the rules.' There are too many bands who are too frightened to break the mould and really bring that "Punk" side to the fore. Well, we've absolutely promised to only ever refer to them as Heck from now on, but you will surely be fully aware as to who this band were before, and therefore you know exactly the kind of reputation they've been able to build live. We caught them playing two sets this past weekend, and to say they stole the festival twice would be a massive disservice to the brilliantly controlled chaos that is a Heck live show. The last time they played Download the guitarist ended up playing on one of the bins outside the tent. They'll do whatever the fuck they feel is right for an exciting and dangerous live show, and with the backing of a great album now in Instructions this is an absolute must see.
Counting Days - (Fourth Stage, 18:00pm - 18:25pm)
It would perhaps be unfair to say Counting Days were complete unknowns before this year (well as a unit they were) because they're made up of so many elements from big Hardcore bands across the scene. This is a band who have melded together ex-members from TRC, Architects and Heights and in turn have started to build a real cult following within Hardcore at the moment. They're not reinventing the wheel, this is fundamentally a brutally heavy band who are unafraid to antagonise and poke and at all those who stand before them at live shows. We can already tell you how this one will pan out, you'll have a few people shuffling their feet nervously before bedlam ensues and the pit opens up. Really good band who in future years may well place a lot higher.
In Search Of Sun - (Fourth Stage, 14:40pm - 15:05pm)
Another favourite here at Room Thirteen, In Search Of Sun write music which is both hugely catchy and heavy as well as being really interesting at the same time. Had they maintained the sound of their earlier output they may well have cornered themselves in to a hole struggling to pick up shows at all, but the fact that they were able to develop their sound so quickly and ultimately play the biggest Rock festival in the UK in a turnaround of about three years says a lot. They released The World Is Yours around two years ago, and are working on a new record as you read this. They're definitely a band well worth checking out - one who's grit and determination has landed them with a show at Donington. Top stuff.
Gutterdammarung - (Third Stage, 19:40pm - 20:50pm)
We've left this last for this particular day, despite the fact it's headlining the Third Stage, because it is probably the most interesting and difficult to describe. The basic idea behind it is a concept silent film created by the visual artist Bjorn Tagemose, featuring the likes of Slash, Josh Homme and Lemmy among it's cast. As far as headlining an actual stage is concerned, the performance itself is meant to be an absolute spectacle. A live band will be performing in sync with the film in what is set to be one of the most unique visual and audio experiences ever seen at Download. And with whispers of special guests who knows what's going to happen.
Saturday
Pennywise - (Third Stage, 19:40pm - 20:40pm)
Pennywise are one of those bands who's importance in Punk and their level of influence shouldn't be understated. Formed nearly twenty years ago now, their phenomenal ability to smash out one massive tune after another shows a level of form Punk bands today can only dream of. They broke around the same time as Green Day, Rancid and The Offspring, and whilst commercially they're not in the same league as any of those three, musically the are absolutely on par.
Municipal Waste - (Fourth Stage, 19:50pm - 20:35pm)
MUNICIPAL WASTE ARE GOING TO FUCK YOU UP. Yeah, that pretty much. If you're after ridiculously fast Thrash Metal injected with a hefty dose of Punk then look no further. Alongside the best band merch, Municipal Waste will likely deliver the most 'fun' set of the weekend as well.
Neck Deep - (Third Stage, 18:25pm - 19:10pm)
Formed only in 2012, Pop Punk outfit Neck Deep are one of the most exciting bands that particular scene are able to offer up at the moment. You'll see the likes of All Time Low headlining the Second Stage this year, but Neck Deep's breed of Pop Punk is far grittier and far more exciting. They're playing directly before Pennywise, a band who have no doubt been so important in their own development over the years.
Turbowolf - (13:40pm - 14:10pm)
Have Turbowolf ever let us down live? The answer, to put it simply, is no. You're probably sick of us blathering on about Turbowolf by now, but we will beat that drum for eternity if we have to because in front of our eyes we have one of the most exciting, enigmatic, interesting and fun bands in all of heavy music. Both of their albums are good, but live each track becomes a different animal - frankly an unmissable one this.
Black Peaks - (12:45pm - 13:15pm)
Try your hardest to not let that early stage time put you off. Black Peaks have well and truly arrived - if their debut album wasn't enough, their performance supporting Deftones at Wembley Arena could define a whole new path in their career. One of the most exciting British bands in music at the moment, so good in fact we're happy if you break away from this to go and catch them on our playlist from Part One ( RIGHT HERE). Go NOW!
Sunday
Gojira - (Third Stage, 17:20pm - 18:00pm)
We're going to begin this by seriously asking, how on EARTH are Gojira not on the Main Stage this year? As a live band they're an absolute powerhouse, of course they are, but the level of hype surrounding the release of their new album alone probably warranted a higher slot. Oh well, they'll just have to destroy the tent instead. Their new album sounds absolutely magnificent and whilst being different to their older output, the tracks have been shaped and formed in such a way they're going to be absolutely huge live. We're happy to stick our necks out and say that Gojira are the best live band in Metal at the moment, and subsequently you'd be a fool to miss this.
Ghost - (Third Stage, 18:25pm - 19:10pm)
Oddly enough Ghost and Gojira seem to pop up on the same bills an awful lot, and whilst they sound so different, as live spectacles both truly know how to put on a show. Where Gojira head for the guttural blows, Ghost's flamboyance and over the top nature makes them a band very difficult to justify missing on a festival line up. The band are currently on their third album cycle, one which has bagged them a Grammy no less, and they haven't lost a shred of their powerful aura. Whilst some of the bands on these two stages this year could/should have played the top stages, Ghost are definitely better suited to bringing their haunting presence in the tent.
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - (Third Stage, 14:35pm - 15:05pm)
Yet another brilliant live act for the third stage on Sunday, Frank Carter in recent years has brought back the kind of venom and spite which made The Gallows so huge. Frank well and truly gives it his all with absolutely every live performance, with his onslaught often becoming a key talking point in of itself post the festival. His new band's album released last year and was met with widespread critical acclaim - but as we've noted, it's in the live environment where you really want to be hearing Frank Carter and we can guarantee now, he absolutely won't disappoint.
Napalm Death - (Fourth Stage, 19:50pm - 20:35pm)
Considering the fact that all the stages are shutting down for Iron Maiden (fucking massive middle finger to that), it's thankfully given you a chance to check out one of the most important Extreme Metal bands of all time. This is a band who since 1981 have never compromised on their sound despite so many line up changes threatening the band's very existence. Never underestimate the importance of Napalm Death in Metal - a unique band who will no doubt deliver an absolutely pummeling set headlining the Fourth Stage come Sunday night.
The King Is Blind - (Fourth Stage, 13:30pm - 13:55pm)
The King Is Blind are a band to seriously earmark for the future, especially with the level of impact they're making with debut album Our Father at the moment - their monstrous sound and potential is truly exciting. It's heavy, ugly sounding Metal at it's freshest best - with such a short set time there's not that much of an excuse for missing them. What else are you going to do, sit outside your tent and piss and moan about the forecast? Get down to the arena, get to the Fourth stage and bang your damn head.