MOANLOAD 2019 – The First Batch

Written by Rich Hobson
Sunday, 28 October 2018 04:00

There’s just no pleasing some people, is there? Here we are, one announcement into Download Festival 2019 and somehow, despite the fact that this may be one of the brightest first announcements since Live Nation bagged ACDC and Rage Against The Machine in 2010, people are stillgiving it gab about the line-up.

“Where are all the genuine headliners?” bemoans one Twitter user, somehow missing the irony in suggesting they’d rather go to Rock In Rio and see Iron Maiden for the 18th time. “Tool haven’t done nothing in ages” says another, completely missing the fact that THAT’S THE WHOLE POINT. So on and so forth, whinging for whinging’s sake – so here’s your annual MOANLOAD update looking at who we’ve got for Download 2019 so far…

THE HEADLINERS

Def Leppard

Last release: ‘Def Leppard’ (earMUSIC 2016)

Essential release: ‘Hysteria’ (Mercury Records 1987)

Last UK show (before Download): SSE Arena, Wembley 18 December 2018

Okay, so it’s a contentious point as to whether ‘Hysteria’ or ‘Pyromania’ is the better release but considering Def Leppard’s Download show is billed as ‘Hysteria in full plus more’ it’s an obvious pick. As to whether they should be at the top – well, the songs are definitely strong enough, aren’t they? A Def Leppard ‘best of’ is essential listening for any arena rock aficionado, and the fact that ‘Hysteria’ is the band’s biggest album won’t be lost on the classic rock hardcore fans who will inevitably flock to Donington for the day. This will be the third time that Leppard have appeared at Download, but the shift to a Friday might rankle those who were hoping to drink like its 1989 all over again, and the fact the band are playing so soon after wrapping up their previous UK tour (which at the time of writing still hasn’t fully sold out) will draw the ire of sceptics. That said, the discography and draw of the band speaks for itself, so you can bet there’ll be plenty of fans howling along in June.

Slipknot

Last release: ‘.5: The Gray Chapter’ (Roadrunner 2014)

Essential release: ‘Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)’ (Roadrunner 2004)

Last UK show: SSE Arena, Belfast, 15 February 2016

Another contentious one, Slipknot’s ‘essential release’ boils down to which side of the band appeals to you most. Whether that’s the furious energy of their first two records, or the more evolved anger of recent efforts, we opted in for ‘The Subliminal Verses’ as it represents the point where Slipknot became the biggest new thing in metal this side of the millennium. Word has it that Clown and co. are currently working on their sixth record, and while anticipation for that remains pretty damn high (heaviest song in their career so far? Fuck yes), eyes will also be on whether the band decide to do something special for the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut. Either way, it’s going to be a massive one – and we’d expect nothing less from one of the biggest and most distinctive bands in metal.

Tool

Last release: ’10,000 Days’ (Volcano Entertainment 2006)

Essential release: ‘Lateralus’ (Volcano Entertainment 2001)

Last UK show: Download Festival 2006

Fuck off. Are you complaining about Tool coming back to the UK? Thirteen years since they last did anything on these shores, the return of Tool has been so eagerly awaited by fans that it’s almost ridiculous. Granted – the lack of presence on any social media/touring circuit means a whole generation may not have even heard of Tool before (yikes!), but their return could right so many wrongs on that count, proving to be a triumphant moment for one of metal’s most elusive bands. Then again, the high-brow concepts of Tool (and their lack of media presence) could also hurt them in the age of streaming – after all, so much of the industry bases its measurements on digital consumption that it’ll be interesting to see what kind of crowd the band pull on the day.

THE ‘LOGO’ BANDS

The last few years have seen slow trickle announcements, so the 2019 announcement’s 20 bands feels like a serious stimulation package to the senses. The headliners aren’t the only thing that Download lives and dies on, so it’s time to dive in and look at the logo bands (so far at least) that will be filling out the ranks in 2019…

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators

Last release: ‘Living The Dream’ (Snakepit Records 2018)

Essential release: ‘Apocalyptic Love’ (Roadrunner 2012)

Slash just can’t stay away, can he? Fresh from appearances with his ‘other’ band in 2018, Slash returns to Donington with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators to blast through some massive tunes. Considering this show comes off the back of stints with both of their ‘main’ bands at Download, there’ll be a lot of expectations for what the band can deliver in June, especially as Kennedy is being primed as a potential future headlining artist. The fact the band are in the UK at the start of 2019 will potentially curb some immediate interest, but the fact this is a non-arena run for a band who have proven their chops in the past suggests that there’s still going to be a healthy appetite for massive sounding tunes.

Die Antwoord

Last release: ‘27’ (upcoming 2018)

Essential release: ‘Ten$ion’ (Zef Records 2012)

This might just be the most contentious booking for Download since Lethal Bizzle in 2008. With Reading and Leeds festivals both shunning wider rock and metal acts in favour of other styles like grime, it falls on Download to shine a spotlight on our world for mainstream culture. That said, Download thrives on its inclusiveness and the crossover appeal of acts like Die Antwoord and Scxrlxrd has seen them earn recognition from areas of the metal press, and in Antwoord’s case even influence acts like Vodun. As such, their appearance on a bill alongside Tool doesn’t feel massively out of place (albeit out of place for the usual rock fare fans will be used to), but this represents the point where Download can branch out further than ever before – hopefully without diluting its core audience as R&L has.

Whitesnake

Last release: The Purple Album (Frontiers 2015)

Essential release: Whitesnake (EMI 1987)

Where Def Leppard go, Whitesnake follow – at least as far as Download bookings as concerned. Whitesnake have appeared as a package deal with Leppard in the past, so it doesn’t feel like a massive stretch to say we won’t be surprised to see Coverdale and co. backing up the Sheffield glam stars in 2019. On their own merits, Whitesnake are another enormous arena behemoth from yesteryear, making them a handy booking for getting massive crowds going. Word has it that Coverdale has lost some of the magic in recent years, but when he’s on form the man is nothing short of a rock icon, with a presence that could fill fields on its own.

Rob Zombie

Last release: ‘The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser’ (Universal Music 2016)

Essential release: ‘The Sinister Urge’ (Geffen 2001)

Headlining Second Stage against Biffy Clyro in 2017, Rob Zombie proved that he has one of the biggest productions in the business and could draw crowds so massive they could dwarf even some headliners. It’ll be interesting to see what spot Zombie ends up playing in, and if he’ll be able to replicate that magic a second-time so soon after his last appearance, but he remains one of metal’s biggest mainstream champions and somebody definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Trivium

Last/essential release: ‘The Sin and The Sentence’ (Roadrunner 2017)

Yes, ‘Ascendancy’ is still a landmark release amongst modern metal bands. But, unlike so many of their peers, Trivium have grown as a band throughout their career, pushing past a roaring early release to become one of the most vocal champions of global metal and a band that inspire delirious devotion from their fans. If this year’s Metal Hammer sponsored tour is anything to go by, Trivium will be firmly placing themselves on top of the pile with their return to Donnington in 2019, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Heafy popping up watching other bands throughout the weekend, such is his dedication to the genre.

BEST OF THE REST

Download so often lives and dies by its undercard, and even in a year like 2018 (where the sheer size of its headliners dictated a smaller undercard) the festival has prided itself on bringing together bands from all walks of life. As such, here’s a round-up of the best bands also included in this first announcement.

Amon Amarth

Last/essential release: ‘Jomsviking’ (Metal Blade 2016)

It’s crazy to think that since Amon Amarth played Download 2016 the band have managed to go on to headline Bloodstock and bring one of the most potent live shows on the planet to clubs around the world. In the very near future we will be seeing the Swedish Viking Metallers tackle the big screen, so a return to Donington feels like a triumphant way to bring the ‘Jomsviking’ cycle to an end. If it can measure up to the spectacular headline spot at Bloodstock in 2017 remains to be seen, but Amon Amarth bring something truly special and enormous to every show they play.

Opeth

Last release: ‘Sorceress’ (Nuclear Blast 2016)

Essential release: ‘Blackwater Park’ (Music For Nations 2001)

Opeth are legitimately one of the biggest prog metal bands around, and one that predate the prog boom that gave birth to the likes of Gojira and Mastodon later on. These days their death metal roots are all but disposed of, but that doesn’t stop older gems creeping into every set they play. One of the biggest complaints about Opeth at festivals is that the band are limited to playing so few tracks, such is the length of each song. Their appearance at Download Paris in 2018 showed that there is still a lot to be loved watching this band storm an outdoors crowd however, and if there is any justice in the world Copping and co. will be doing all they can to secure a good, long set for the band.

Power Trip

Last/essential release: ‘Nightmare Logic’ (Southern Lord 2017)

Just the thought of hearing that ‘Executioner’s Tax’ in a field among thousands of fans is enough to get us rushing for the box office. Power Trip are an insane force live, and one of the brightest young metal bands around – their inclusion on the bill represents Download Festival’s dedication to boosting new bands and elevating them to their rightful status.

Skindred

Last release: ‘Big Tings’ (Napalm Records 2018)

Essential release: ‘Kill the Power’ (Cooking Vinyl 2014)

Skindred are one of the UK’s most beloved (and immovable) metal acts. This is a fact – the band have risen to this rank by playing literally nonstop anywhere that will have them, whilst building a steady repertoire of genuine anthems that are sure to turn any festival into a roaring singalong. Their constant presence can make them somewhat unexciting for the general rock populace, but better heads know that Skindred are unstoppable live and can win over any crowd you put them in front of (as they more than proved at Bloodstock two years ago – Ed).

CONCLUSION

With a stunning spread of bands just in this first announcement, it’s seriously exciting to see where Download 2019 can go next. This first announcement has produced some massive names, but there’s no word yet on exactly where the smaller bands will place – it may be that we’ll be seeing Second Stage headliners in the not so distant future, adding even more illustrious talent to the roster. One thing’s for sure – there’s still plenty of moaning to be had, so we’ll be keeping a close eye!

Download Festival takes place at Donington Park, Derbyshire, from 14 – 16 June 2019. Tickets are on sale now via www.downloadfestival.co.uk and through various UK ticket retailers. Consult the website to see which retailers are genuine – don’t get stung on the false ticket market. If you want more Download action to tide you over – read our reviews of the 2018 festival!