10. Bury Tomorrow
Where: Pepsi Max Stage – Saturday
Southampton metalcore genius’ Bury Tomorrow make their first appearance at Download as well. The rhythmic transgression from Dani Winter-Bates’ intense growls and Jason Cameron’s pitch-perfect cleans is what gives the band their unique heavy yet melodic sound. Oh, and they released quite possibly the best album of 2012 as well.
FFO: Parkway Drive, A Day to Remember, I Killed the Prom Queen
9. Hacktivist
Where: Pepsi Max Stage – Sunday
Possibly the most unique band on this list. Maybe even in the world today. Think deep heavy down-tuned guitar riffs along with…grime gangster rap. Yes, you heard me right. Their self-titled EP has some of the catchiest riffs ever. They put on an intense live show as well. It makes a change from the conventional middle-of-the-day bands on the lower stages at Donington.
FFO: Periphery/Animals as Leaders mixed with any grime artist you can think of (I don’t know any; I can’t call myself a fan you see)
8. Bleed from Within
Where: Pepsi Max Stage – Saturday
Undoubtedly the most groovy band on the list and former label mates of mine (but we won’t go there…for now). Scottish metallers Bleed from Within have played Donington before, but this time, they have some of the most powerful and heavy songs ever written in their repertoire, and a brutal live show to boot. Their new album “Uprising” comes out a couple months before they tear Download a new a******.
FFO: Architects, The Ghost Inside, Caliban (that’s as best I could do, and that was seriously hard to choose)
7. Amon Amarth
Where: Zippo Encore Stage – Sunday
If you like longboats, Vikings and just general epicness, then look no further. Swedish melodic death metal idols Amon Amarth singing about ancient Norse mythology and battles with swords. It doesn’t get much more amazing than that. Or does it? You tell me and I’ll see if I agree with you.
FFO: Ensiferum, Turisas, Equilibrium
6. The Ghost Inside
Where: Zippo Encore Stage – Sunday
Breakdowns, breakdowns everywhere. If US hardcore giants The Ghost Inside were to offer one thing at Download it would be brutality of epic proportions. Although the pits resemble a large group of kids being angry at the floor for some reason, the music is nonetheless catchy and amazing as ****. I challenge anyone to tell you otherwise.
FFO: Parkway Drive, August Burns Red, Hatebreed