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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 22

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 22 is features our cover stars Saint Agnes as they take ‘Bloodsuckers’ on tour. We also have album reviews for The Last Dinner Party and Florence Black.

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Download Festival, Reading & Leeds, 2000trees, Slam Dunk, Victorious Festival, Beautiful Days, Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Demob Happy, Bury Tomorrow, The Last Dinner Party, Troy Redfern, Trophy Eyes and iDKHOW!

Plus all the best new releases including Bowling For Soup, Indoor Pets, Royal Tusk, VENUES, The Cheap Thrills, From Ashes To New, ERRA, Banks Arcade, Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties, Normandie, The Farm and Job For A Cowboy!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist including Gallus, Loose Articles and IRKED!

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Features

2023 Full Pelt Awards

Have your say!

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The 2023 Full Pelt Awards are here and you can have your say from our shortlists below!

Votes here will be tallied with those on Social Media, plus weighted votes from our Full Pelt staff with the winners all revealed in a special Magazine on New Year’s Day!

2023 Full Pelt Awards
2023 Full Pelt Awards
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2023 Full Pelt Awards
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2023 Full Pelt Awards

Our 2023 Album of the Year will be revealed on our Social Media on Christmas Day! Let us know your favourite album of the year in the comments and be sure to follow us across social media to be the first to see who wins our award!

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 10

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Our weekly music News Report has evolved into the Full Pelt Magazine, and you can download the tenth issue now for free!

Volume ten includes the latest from cover stars Fightstar plus we review Creeper live in London, Wheatus live in Cambridge. We also review the new album from Lonely The Brave!

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Enter Shikari, Lake Malice, Banks Arcade, Stand Atlantic, Have Mercy, South of Salem, Florence Black, Jamie Lenman, Unpeople, Siamese, Courting and The Killers!

Plus new live announcements from Download Festival, 2000trees, 30 Seconds To Mars, Bruce Dickinson, Halflives and Bowling For Soup!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with The Gems, Kite Thief and HAVVK!

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Live Reviews

Download Festival

Donington Park, Castle Donington

Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th June 2023

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DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2023 REVIEW

This weekend is a celebration of twenty years of Download Festival. Stepping into the void left by Monsters of Rock not just at the hyped spiritual home of rock Donington Park but to the whole UK rock/metal scene, Download has become its own monster.

This year is truly monstrous as the event is fully sold out with record breaking numbers of attendees coming to partake in the celebration. Those celebrations get off to a rough start though with unprecedented traffic problems souring the event for many before it even properly begins.

📸 Live Nation UK PR

Once the music starts though a lot if not all of those problems subside. There is a stacked bill for the anniversary party including two nights of Metallica, a closing set from Download icons Slipknot but most vitally a new headline act Bring Me The Horizon.

The gap between Monsters of Rock and Download caused a vacuum in ability for bands to hit headline status with many acts from that era missing out on that status, Korn being one such act often thought of as passed over. Think about it, if they’d headlined at Donington Park in the late nineties, they’d no doubt still be that rank higher than they are now.

In the early years of Download, a number of bands had an opportunity to cement themselves at the top level, think Audioslave, Linkin Park, System of a Down and My Chemical Romance.

Playing alongside stalwarts like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath and Kiss gives bands credibility and elevates their stock. 2009’s Slipknot set is still heralded as the best example of the ‘bump’!

The problem is since then only Avenged Sevenfold in 2014 have really been given that opportunity and Download has become a bit of a clichĂŠd round robin of the likes of Def Leppard, Rammstein, Aerosmith and other favourites already mentioned.

Perhaps then the most important booking in a celebration of the past is the look to the future with Bring Me The Horizon finally getting the top spot. Whilst Download probably should’ve got in before Reading and Leeds, it’s hopefully a sign of a subtle change of tact from the festival.

That’s because the line-up is also graced this year by the likes of Hot Milk, Nova Twins and Bob Vylan in prominent slots. Mixing this with the likes of classic Download bands Disturbed, Alter Bridge, Halestorm and Skindred gives the line-up a fresh but familiar feel.

Sadly beyond the bookings of Metallica and Slipknot plus the additional day there isn’t much done to make this year feel special for those who have made Download Festival part of their lives.

Whilst the organisers could have done more both in terms of that something special and in certain ways just the very basics, they have provided a top tier line-up, so let’s take a look at the highlights!

THURSDAY

Cancer Bats get the ball rolling on day one for us over at the second stage (now dubbed the Opus stage). The band get those that have made it into the arena pumped up with a early set packed full of ragers that ultimately ends prematurely when the sound is cut during ‘Hail Destroyer’!

Soon thereafter, Mammoth WVH get proceedings underway on the main stage (or Apex as it’s now called!). In some ways it’s fitting having the Van Halen name on this stage, in others it’s very ironic as the legendary band are often referred to by lead booker Andy Copping as one that got away.

Wolfgang and co show that with or without the last name, they have the talent needed to conquer stages like these. From start to finish it’s an excellent showing that places the band on the potential list for future festival stars.

Next up on the Opus stage are Hundred Reasons who are riding the wave of their stunning return album, ‘Glorious Sunset’. The band open with the title-track before running through a series of classic tracks much to the delight of those gathered. Hopefully this isn’t a victory lap for the band as creatively and onstage they are as good as they’ve ever been!

As we focus on the future of the festival, two names often linked to future headline status are Halestorm and Alter Bridge. It’s fine booking then to see the bands back to back next on the Apex stage.

Halestorm deliver another flawless set that seems to finish before it begins given their short allocated slot. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though given the old saying of leave the fans wanting more. Halestorm certainly do that and with a headline date pencilled in at Wembley Arena this December, the next time the band grace Donington you’d hope to see them in the sub-headline spot.

That’s the spot filled by Alter Bridge who have played in this position multiple times before; a sense perhaps then of always the bridesmaid and never the bride! Today though the band give it their all to show what they have to offer.

Watching the crowd, the set seems to be really well received which is a good sign. The band after all are always technically superb, so if enhancing that audience connection is the missing piece to progression then today’s set will have gone a long way to creating that link!

All that’s left on this special Thursday then is the first of two headline performances from the biggest metal band on the planet, Metallica. The two sets will be completely unique, giving fans the chance to see far more than a standard Metallica set list.

Night one has a good mix of hits like ‘Creeping Death’, ‘Fade To Black’, ‘Nothing Else Matters’, ‘Sad but True’ and ‘Master of Puppets’, deep cuts such as ‘Leper Messiah’, ‘King Nothing’ and ‘Orion’ plus new material from ’72 Seasons’.

FRIDAY

Friday is a huge day for the future of heavy music with a number of hotly tipped bands performing on the main stage including headliners Bring Me The Horizon.

We start on the Opus stage though with a debut UK festival appearance from Mexicans The Warning. The sister trio deliver an assured performance which belies their position on the bill. The set is another case of leaving the audience wanting more and you have to imagine that they’ll be back very soon.

Nova Twins take to the Apex stage soon after and absolutely own the stage. The duo are able to show just why they have so much hype with a performance that should be talked about as one of the best of the weekend.

Hot Milk have the unenviable task of following the pure energy that was Nova Twins, and thankfully for the band and the crowd they are up to the task. With a debut album on the way the band are on the cusp of something special and this set will again not doubt be one of those “I was there” moments.

The effortless cool of Demob Happy delights the Avalanche stage next as they showcase their stunning new album, ‘Divine Machines’.

Back on the Apex stage with the run of younger bands, next up for us are Neck Deep who are perennial contenders for bigger things. Today they have tens of thousands of people singing back the likes of ‘December’ and you have to consider Neck Deep’s set another victory for the new breed of Download band.

It’s a short and sharp blast from the past next as we pop to the Avalanche stage for the return of The Blackout. The band perform like they’ve not been away and receive a hero’s return from the audience. With the tease of more live dates to follow, it looks like The Blackout are back and back with a bang today!

It’s a quick bolt over to the Opus stage next for Within Temptation who are clearly playing a slot below their stature. The performance the band give is headline worthy not just of this stage but of the main stage. The band has a wealth of experience and use all their tricks to deliver a masterful set full of their best crowd pleasing hits.

By the time Evanescence grace the stage, the mass of humanity in attendance is a clear indication that the band should have been on the main stage. Viewing points are few and far between but wherever you are stood the band sonically deliver. A mixture of old and new is greeted well regardless but it’s mega hit ‘Bring Me to Life’ that has the entire place singing their hearts out.

It’s then time for that set. Bring Me The Horizon take over the main stage and prove any remaining doubters wrong. Making Metallica appear average, the band give their all both aesthetically and musically and produce possibly the greatest headline performance in the twenty years of the festival.

As we said earlier, the band should have been given this slot years ago, but if they had then this moment wouldn’t have existed. Their show tonight is the proof needed that the next wave are ready now and the gatekeepers need to move aside.

This set is historic not just for the theme of the weekend or for the stature of Bring Me The Horizon, it’s historic as a watershed moment for this festival. New headliners of the future should personally thank Bring Me The Horizon for breaking through that proverbial ceiling!

SATURDAY

On to Saturday now and nobody mention the weather! A celebration of twenty years of Download would have fittingly seem some rain and mud, and from this point on the festival is so hot that many would probably have willing traded the sun for some rain.

After last night it almost feels an anti-climax for the festival to continue, but another Metallica set should never be scoffed at. Thankfully there are still some fresh new bands breaking through lower down the bill today, and first up we catch Static Dress who seemingly channel the energy of Bring Me The Horizon with the fantastic opening Opus stage set.

One of the best bits of a festival for a publication passionate about new music is stumbling across a surprise gem on one of the side stages. This year that is ANTISAINT who simply storm the small Dogtooth stage with a ferocious set and definitely leave with more fans than they had going in.

The new look FEVER 333 then take to the main stage and deliver another memorable moment with Jason Aalon Butler scaling one of the massive towers erected in the main arena. That moment though shouldn’t take away from the already phenomenal set the band had delivered.

Lake Malice are next for us back in the Avalanche stage who are able to continue the run of top tier performances we’ve caught thus far. Whilst some of the organisational elements of the festival have been lacking, the music has been of the highest calibre and Lake Malice are another band you suspect will be back in a bigger spot sooner rather than later.

Next on the Apex stage are Ice Nine Kills, whose theatrics create a spectacle on the main stage, but musically they feel a little flat, perhaps being the first underwhelming set of the weekend.

Clutch who follow then also suffer both through technical difficulties and the energy sapping heat which probably negatively impacted Ice Nine Kills as well. The lack of enthusiasm from the crowd doesn’t help and it’s probably a good thing we are headed to a tent next.

We are set now for another one-two punch, this time in the Avalanche tent with Kid Kapichi and Bob Vylan on tap. It’s Kid Kapichi up first and they instantly raise the intensity levels with opener ‘Sardines’. Each song that follows is just as rewarding and by the time the band finish with ‘Smash the Gaff’ they’ve done just that!

One of the most exiting acts on the bill this weekend are Bob Vylan. The mention of ceilings earlier is relevant because this duo haven’t just smashed ceilings they’ve proceeded to stamp the shards into dust. Their performance to a packed crowd today is further evidence that new acts can make Download their home. That’s exactly what Bob Vylan do here as to repeat another cliché they completely own the stage.

It was always going to be hard to follow that suckerpunch and next on the main stage with the intense heat still sapping all energy, Disturbed deliver a plodding set. The set list is fine, the performance is far from phoned-in but with the audience struggling and the band following the ferocity of Bob Vylan, Disturbed feel distinctly average today.

We then head to the Opus stage expecting Placebo to also struggle to engage the tired and weary crowd. After all this is the third day which would traditionally be the home straight, and Placebo are not known for their crowd pleasing set list choices.

Pleasantly though those making the effort are surprisingly rewarded not just with an energised performance from the band but also a excellent set of songs including a very rare outing for the superb ‘Nancy Boy’. On their day Placebo can be an incredible live act and today they are at the peak of their powers which re-energises the previously zombified crowd.

It’s then time for night two of Metallica’s no repeat weekend. There are some great choice cuts in the set tonight such as a tour debut for ‘Whiplash’ plus ‘Until It Sleeps’, ‘Wherever I May Roam’ and Thin Lizzy cover ‘Whiskey in the Jar’! The finale of ‘One’ and ‘Enter Sandman’ ensures that the hits are accounted for as well as Metallica deliver another slick and graceful set.

SUNDAY

The final day feels like a step too far, most definitely compounded by the unrelenting heat, but once again when lost in the music all those issues somehow disappear – the power of music!

Bloodywood start the day off with an engaging performance on the Apex stage, before our recent Podcast guests Blind Channel deliver on their promise to bring the energy to Download. The sight of many metalheads singing along to a rendition of Anastacia’s ‘Left Outside Alone’ is a real sight to behold and set closer ‘Dark Side’ has everybody with their middle finger in the air.

Lorna Shore then suffer again from a lack of enthusiasm from the crowd and their sound getting swallowed up by the enormous space. Joey Valence & Brae though have neither issue in the Avalanche tent with a rambunctious and fun-filled slot.

As the heat and the excesses of the weekend catch up on the crowd it’s telling that for this afternoon outdoor sets like The Amity Affliction and Avatar whilst technically great feel like a struggle. Whereas tented sets from Joey Valence and Brae and the brilliant The Meffs are able to revive the crowd and thrive on their rejuvenation.

Thankfully things start to cool as clouds begin to take over the sky as we get ready for Dinosaur Pile-Up on the Opus stage. Sadly technical difficulties shorten their set to just five songs, but those five songs sound fantastic!

I Prevail have a huge slot on the main stage and make a good impression although you do again feel something is just lacking today. Not to flog a dead horse any further but it may be the low energy levels today or the enormity of the stage swallowing the heavier sound but it’s hard to truly get into their set today.

Thankfully the smaller outdoor Opus stage seems to have a lot of energy and Bad Religion are able to take advantage of that next with a typically slick run of punk rock anthems. Opening with ‘American Jesus’ the band able to hold your attention throughout before finishing with a rousing rendition of ’21st Century (Digital Boy)’.

Next up on this stage are Ghost who really should be headlining the main stage at this point. Musically and theatrically they are on another level and you have a sense of the Bring Me The Horizons about then. Hopefully Download Festival will strike while the iron is hot because everything about their performance today is perfect.

Ghost are so good that you also feel it unnecessary to watch Slipknot, but as soon as the band hit the stage you are glad that you stayed. The history between the band and festival is huge and it’s great that they are one of the few acts that seem to properly acknowledge that this weekend.

A standard (which is great) Slipknot set follows with some sentimental set choices and an enthralling stage show. It’s really fitting for Slipknot to close out what has been an intense weekend of celebration.

Download Festival
📸 Live Nation UK PR

The busiest and longest ever Download Festival will last long in the memory for reasons both good and bad. As we said at the start, this festival is a true monster now and has enough dedicated customers to ensure that it will never go down as its predecessor did. It has however become rather soulless and corporate and it feels like the identity it created over the first decade or so could be lost.

Hopefully the event will use this success to both maintain its heritage but also to now really push for the future headliners and top acts to come through. So, congratulations Download on twenty phenomenal years, and here’s to many many more to come!

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Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

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News Report

Download Festival line-up update

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

Up first this week is the latest news from Download Festival who this week added additional bands whilst also confirming the stage splits for each day.

The Metallica, Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot headlined event will also now feature the likes of State Champs, Puscifer, Hundred Reasons, Static Dress, Cancer Bats and more.

Tickets and info here.

Read our review of Download Festival 2022

News Report

Queens of the Stone Age announce UK return

We move our News Report onwards now to the best tour announcements from the past week and we begin with the UK return of Queens of the Stone Age.

The rock icons will play huge outdoor shows in Halifax, Margate and Cardiff this June with support from Coach Party.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ’72 Seasons’ from Metallica

Limp Bizkit set summer UK shows

The summer is taking shape nicely and Limp Bizkit this week confirmed their plans to get back to the UK.

The band will play two special shows in August at The Piece Hall in Halifax and then at Gunnersbury Park in London.

Support comes from KennyHoopla and Joey Valence & Brae with special guests Pendulum and Deijuvhs also hitting up the London date.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Still Sucks’ from Limp Bizkit

Greta Van Fleet announce new tour dates

Following the announcement of new album, ‘Starcatcher’, last week, this week has seen the news that Greta Van Fleet will be back out on tour later this year.

The UK will see the band tackling arena shows in London, Manchester and Glasgow with support from Mt. Joy.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘The Battle At Garden’s Gate’ from Greta Van Fleet

BABYMETAL announce headline UK shows

Next up as the tour announcements continue are BABYMETAL who will return to the UK for shows in London and Wolverhampton this November.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Paramore live in London

Atreyu reveal UK Tour

Our News Report continues with Atreyu who have also announced when they will return to the UK. Alongside their EU tour the band will play a run of eight dates in the UK this November.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Atreyu live in Cambridge

Danko Jones set for UK Tour

Continuing the theme of bands announcing their return to the UK, Danko Jones have revealed a full EU and UK tour for this Autumn that will finish at the Garage in London.

Support comes from Radkey.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Danko Jones live in Birmingham

InMe to celebrate 20 years of ‘Overgrown Eden’

InMe have revealed Manchester and London shows to go alongside their already announced appearance in Bristol.

The shows will see the band celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of their album, ‘Overgrown Eden’.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Hundred Reasons live in London

WSTR announce new tour dates

WSTR also had new tour dates to announce this week with the band set to head around the UK this September.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘A Kiss for the Whole World’ from Enter Shikari

The Bottom Line reveal new tour

The Bottom Line will be heading out on the road this November. Support comes from Beauty School.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Fall Out Boy live in London

Fatherson unveil new live dates

Fatherson are next up in our News Report with the band set for a handful of shows in September.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Fatherson live in Cambridge

Madness reveal new arena tour

The legendary Madness will return to UK arenas later this year for their ‘C’est La Vie’ tour.

Support will come from the Lightning Seeds.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Who On Earth’ from Sean McGowan

Dream Wife reveal new tour

We segue our News Report now from tour announcement to new music as Dream Wife unveiled both this past week.

As the group get ready for the release of new album, ‘Social Lubrication’ on June 9th, they’ve set up a full UK tour set to take place in October.

Support for the tour will come from Ash Kenazi.

The band also had more new music on offer with new single, ‘Orbit’, which you can check out below.

Dream Wife – ‘Orbit’

On the single the band explain, “Written through the joy of jamming together and locking into the groove like a multi limbed space age organism, Orbit has a dance rock edge from the early noughties of bands like New Young Pony Club and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Lyrically, it was inspired by post-lockdown London coming back to life and sharing a space through friendship and community. And how each day you never know what’s in store for you or how a stranger can become someone close to you – for a day, a heartbeat, a phase, or a lifetime.”

Tickets and album pre-orders are here.

Read our review of Y Not Festival 2022

News Report

Foo Fighters return with ‘Rescued’

Foo Fighters – ‘Rescued’

Where else could we start as our News Report moves on to new releases other than the return of Foo Fighters.

Their first new music since the tragic passing of Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl and co this week debuted ‘Rescued’, which you can check out above!

Not just that tough, the band also revealed that they will release a new album, ‘But Here We Are’, which will arrive on June 2nd.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Rescued’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Florence + The Machine share ‘Mermaids’

Florence + The Machine – ‘Mermaids’

Florence + The Machine this week shared their new single, ‘Mermaids’, which you can check out above.

The track features on the Complete Edition of latest album, ‘Dance Fever’.

More here.

Listen to ‘Mermaids’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Bloc Party debut ‘High Life’

Bloc Party – ‘High Life’

Whilst currently out on tour with Paramore, Bloc Party have this week debuted their brand new single, ‘High Life’, which you can check out above!

The deluxe version of their latest album, ‘Alpha Games’ is out now.

More here.

Listen to ‘High Life’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Skindred debut ‘If I Could’

Skindred – ‘If I Could’

Next up we have Skindred who have this week shared their new single, ‘If I Could’, which you can check out above.

The track comes from new album, ‘Smile’, which is out on August 4th.

Frontman Benji Webbe recalls that the track was inspired by lockdown and how much he hated 2020 and the effect it had on the world. â€œOn the other hand, 2023 is a different story,” he says. â€œWe’ve released new music and we’re still to drop another few monsters from our album ‘Smile’. We’ve got the KISS tour coming, and we’ve also got our headline tour supporting the new album. So 2023, to me, looks like a very exciting time to be in Skindred. I’m very optimistic about the future!”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘If I Could’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Sleep Token share ‘DYWTYLM’

Sleep Token – ‘DYWTYLM’

The mysterious Sleep Token continue their rise with their latest single, ‘DYWTYLM’, which you can listen to above.

The track comes from upcoming album, ‘Take Me Back To Eden’, which is out May 19th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘DYWTYLM’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Beartooth debut ‘Sunshine!’

Beartooth – ‘Sunshine!’

Our News Report continues at pace with Beartooth who also had new music on offer this week. You can check out their latest single, ‘Sunshine!’ above.

More here.

Listen to ‘Sunshine!’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy Playlist!

Spiritbox share ‘The Void’

Spiritbox – ‘The Void’

Spiritbox are up next in our News Report with their latest single, ‘The Void’, which you can of course check out above!

More here.

Listen to ‘The Void’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

The Amity Affliction debut ‘Not Without My Ghosts’

The Amity Affliction – ‘Not Without My Ghosts’

This week also saw The Amity Affliction release their latest single, ‘Not Without My Ghosts’, which features Phem, and you guessed it – you can check it out above!

The new album of the same name will be out on May 12th.

You can pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Not Without My Ghosts’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

James and the Cold Gun debut ‘Something to Say’

James and the Cold Gun – ‘Something to Say’

It was a big week for James and the Cold Gun as they announced that their self-titled debut album will arrive on July 21st!

Accompanying that announcement was new single, ‘Something to Say’, which you can check out above.

Speaking on the album, frontman James Joseph says, “We can’t wait to get this album out into the world, it’s a no frills rock and roll ripper recorded ourselves in the garage where we first started jamming as a band, we think it’s a great introduction to what we’re about at our core, loud, energetic guitar rock…”

Pre-order your copy here.

Watch Episode 18 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests James and the Cold Gun

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 18 – James and the Cold Gun

Listen to ‘Something to Say’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Militarie Gun share ‘Very High’

Militarie Gun – ‘Very High’

Another band approaching the release of their debut album is Militarie Gun who will release, ‘Life Under The Gun’ on June 23rd!

This week the group shared the latest single from them ahead of that album. You can check out ‘Very High’ above.

The record is inextricably linked to Shelton’s past. “I grew up in a household with family members struggling with addiction,” he explains. “It was an oppressive force. We were always wondering, ‘Is it going to be a good day or a bad day? Are the cops going to come today? What am I going to come home to after school?’”

On the album, “This is what I thought we sounded like all along,” Shelton laughs. “It’s always felt like a melody-forward band to me, but I think now we’re finally achieving what I was always setting out to do.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Very High’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Willie J Healey shares new single ‘Little Sister’

Willie J Healey – ‘Little Sister’

Willie J Healey has shared his latest single, ‘Little Sister’, which you can listen to above.

The track features on upcoming album, ‘Bunny’, which is due for release August 25th.

Willie says “The whole era is something that I love. Long before making ‘Twin Heavy’, I had always listened to funk, soul and R&B, but for some reason it never translated into my own music. Really my inspiration was just the feel of things.’’

He goes on to say about ‘Little Sister’ specifically “We recorded it in New York, just one take, it was magical. I remember spending a couple of hours learning and messing around with it and then it was done. I really just enjoy playing music that makes you feel really good.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Little Sister’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Lottery Winners debut ‘Letter To Myself’

Lottery Winners – ‘Letter To Myself’ feat. Frank Turner

Lottery Winners had more music to share this with as they debuted their new single, ‘Letter To Myself’, which features Frank Turner. You can listen to the track above.

The band are set for the release of their new album, ‘Anxiety Replacement Therapy’, on April 28th!

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of Frank Turner live in Cambridge

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Lambrini Girls – ‘Lads Lads Lads’

With just a month to go until their debut EP ‘You’re Welcome’, out 19th May, Lambrini Girls share new single ‘Lads Lads Lads’ about toxic masculinity.

“In order to be a lad, make sure to follow the following guidelines: excessive drinking, harassing anyone with a pulse and starting fights. Most importantly, make sure to never talk about your feelings as this simply cannot be associated with manliness. Lad culture is the shit stain on the bathroom floor and toxic masculinity is the toilet paper that refuses to unstick from the shoe of society. Nobody wins.” says the band.

headcage – ‘false gold’

Alternative Post-Hardcore band headcage have shared their brand new single ‘false gold’.

“With this track I’m trying to lay down the premise of always wanting more from life, as in wealth, status or fame but ultimately realising the people and culture that those things predominantly exist in are not the world I come from or identify with in any way, shape or form. To put it simply, it’s something I’ve always wanted for so long, and is also something I hate”. – Vocalist, Leyum Pattinson.

News Report
News Report
Grove Street – ‘Lessons of the Past’

Recently signed to UNFD, get yourselves acquainted with Grove Street via recent single, ‘Lessons of the Past’!

“Grove Street becoming a part of UNFD felt like it was meant to happen,” says guitarist Sandy. “A label that fully believes in us and wants to nurture our growth as a band is a rare thing to be seen. This band started out as fun between friends, we never had any expectations of reaching the levels we have and with UNFD behind us we can push those levels even further.”

Speaking of the track, the band share, “Lessons of the Past focuses on police brutality, abuse of power, systemic oppression and racism. People not taking a stand against these things only encourages them to manifest further, and we as people must do better to hold those in power accountable.”

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Read our review of ‘Love, Chaos’ from The Pearl Harts

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News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

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News Report

Download Festival adds another 40+ bands

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We start this week with the 20th Anniversary of Download Festival which just got a whole load bigger! Yes 40+ new acts have now joined headliners Metallica (x2), Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot across the special four day event.

Newly announced acts include Alter Bridge, Halestorm, Neck Deep, Bob Vylan, Jinjer, Hot Milk, The Amity Affliction, Empire State Bastard, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Deaf Havana and more!

Also on tap will be the likes of Architects, Evanescence, Within Temptation, Pendulum, The Blackout, Nova Twins, Disturbed, Placebo, Ghost and so many more!

Final tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Festival 2022

News Report

Trivium announce UK Tour

Sticking with the live (and heavy!) side of the business next we move our News Report on to the best tour announcements from the past week!

Getting us started are metal titans Trivium who will return to the UK in late Summer for an intimate tour of some often forgotten towns and cities!

The ‘Goblins and Wizards’ tour will commence in Cambridge, conclude in Southampton and feature support from Bleed From Within and Orbit Culture!

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘In the Court of the Dragon’ from Trivium

You Me At Six reveal intimate warm-up dates

Ahead of their appearances at this August’s Reading & Leeds Festivals, You Me At Six will perform two intimate warm-up shows in Leicester and Bournemouth.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Truth Decay’ from You Me At Six

Miss Vincent & The Nightmares reveal co-headline tour

Fans of Miss Vincent and The Nightmares are in for a treat as the two bands team up for a special co-headline UK Tour this April!

Tickets are here.

Watch Episode 7 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Miss Vincent!

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 7 – Miss Vincent

Read our review of ‘A Funeral for Youth’ from Miss Vincent

News Report

Bury Tomorrow debut ‘Heretic’

Bury Tomorrow – ‘Heretic’ feat. Loz Taylor

Our News Report moves now to the best new releases from the past week and we get things started with the latest single from Bury Tomorrow!

‘Heretic’ featuring While She Sleeps frontman Loz Taylor debuted this week and you can check it out above. It was also revealed that Bury Tomorrow will join WSS at their huge Alexandra Palace show in September.

The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘The Seventh Sun’, which is out March 31st!.

Speaking on Heretic, lead-singer Dani Winter-Bates states “Heretic is here, and we knew from day one of recording that this song was something we wanted the world to hear immediately. It’s right up there with the most aggressive and visceral tracks on the album, with an inherently dark feel, both lyrically and musically, which allowed us to delve into some of the more brutal elements of The Seventh Sun. All in all, we’re extremely proud to showcase this track and can’t wait to see what people think.”

Dani continues “from the off, we knew this song merited a guest vocal spot, and Loz Taylor of While She Sleeps sprang to our minds straightaway. Already an absolute legend in our eyes, working with him on this track has only confirmed that status further. His voice incorporated perfectly and has undoubtedly taken the song to the next level – we couldn’t be happier.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of Bury Tomorrow live in Norwich

The Raven Age share ‘Parasite’

The Raven Age – ‘Parasite’

The Raven Age have announced that their third studio album, ‘Blood Omen’, will be released on July 7th. To coincide with that announcement, the band unveiled their new single, ‘Parasite’, which you can check out above!

‘Parasite’ is bolstered by a blistering solo from guest guitarist Andy James of Five Finger Death Punch. “I’ve known the lads in The Raven Age for years now,” says Andy. â€œI really like the direction they are heading with this third record and enjoyed doing a guest solo for ‘Parasite’. It’s a heavy but memorable track that hits you right between the eyes.”

For the Essex quintet’s â€œall-important third album”, as George Harris puts it, they have expanded on every level. 

This motivation is written into the album’s concept. Following the theme of its two predecessors, the raven motif looms large, this time centering on the overthrowing of old masters, with the band’s Raven King character coming to prominence. Even in the artwork, things are bolder, a close up of The Raven King, says George, â€œtaking his rightful place on the throne.”

The theme weaves itself throughout ‘Blood Omen’, kicking off with ‘Parasite’ as MJ explains, â€œThere’s the legend about the ravens in the Tower Of London, that if they were ever to leave, the monarchy falls. Without being too political, ‘Parasite’ is hinting at these dark notes of the hierarchy, the bottom feeders that tend to run everything and then screw everything up. Our Raven King, he’s basically ascending to the throne to bring down the monarchy, bring down the establishment, weed out the parasites, as it were.”

“It’s a heavy track,” MJ continues, â€œWe knew we wanted to come back with a real punch between the eyes. It’s the full introduction to our Raven King, and it touches on elements of everything to come. It really shows where we’re going on this album.”

The album also sees the recorded debut of new guitarist Tommy Gentry, the prodigiously talented axeman – whose previous work includes stints with Marco Mendoza and former Judas Priest six-stringer KK Downing.

“Tommy was in our sights from day one,” says George. â€œHe’s, without doubt, the most talented musician I know. Not only is he an amazing guitarist, he’s a grade eight pianist, he can score orchestral music, and all that brings something to the table.”

Pre-order your copy here.

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The Hold Steady share new single ‘Sixers’

The Hold Steady – ‘Sixers’

‘The Price of Progress’, the latest album from The Hold Steady is out on March 31st. This week the band continued to preview the record with new single, ‘Sixers’, which you can check out above.

“‘Sixers’ was written in the first days of the pandemic,” says frontman Craig Finn. “It’s basically a song about knowing your neighbors. Two young professionals meet up in their building late on a Friday night and spend the weekend partying together. They try to find a love connection, but it’s not quite there. It’s hard to make friends when your job is so demanding. Tad and Steve chime in with some beautiful guitar harmonies.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to our two Podcasts

The View return with ‘Feels Like’

The View – ‘Feels Like’

This week saw The View return with news of their first new album in eight years! ‘Exorcism of Youth’ will be released on June 9th and was preceded this week by the single, ‘Feels Like’, which you can check out above!

Frontman Kyle Falconer says, â€œWorking with Youth on our third album ‘Bread and Circuses’ was one of the best experiences of my career so we jumped at the chance to revisit the opportunity with him in Spain. To be able to go into the studio again as a band with added experience was just magical.” 

On the single Falconer adds, “This one felt anthemic from the get go. Even though under the surface it’s about somewhere everyone’s been in their life before: regret of losing someone amazing due to your inner demons and seeing them moving on with their life, when you’re stuck in a ‘nightmare not a dream.’ When I first sat down to write it I had Holden Caulfield from ‘Catcher in the Rye’ in mind. It’s playing out in his mind and it’s his own paranoia destroying him from the inside out when in reality she’s the perfect woman.” 

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of ‘Uncertain Joys’ from The Subways

Ryan Hamilton unveils “Asshole”

Ryan Hamilton – ‘Asshole’

Texan singer-songwriter Ryan Hamilton has shared his latest single, ‘Asshole’, which you can check out above. The track comes from upcoming album, ‘Haunted by the Holy Ghost’, which is out March 10th.

A music video for the track features World Champion Barrel Racer, Ryann Pedone & Conor the badger. Ryan says, “It’s not everyday you shoot a music video with a badger! Why a badger? Because badgers are assholes. They’re adorable assholes. Haha. So proud of this song. The self sabotaging title will keep it off most radio stations… which is a shame, because it deserves to be a big hit.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Watch Episode 15 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Ryan Hamilton

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 15 – Ryan Hamilton

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

The Dollyrots share ‘Still Holding On’

The Dollyrots – ‘Still Holding On’

The Dollyrots have released a brand new UK single titled ‘Still Holding On’ to kick off their first ever UK co-headline tour with Don’t Panic and special guest Royals.

You can listen to the track above!

““Still Holding On” is the first song we’re releasing off our newest recordings, from the first full album sessions since 2019! It’s a hint of a flavor for the next LP to be released later this year. Since we’ll be touring the UK this month we thought we’d give our friends here a treat and release it exclusive to the United Kingdom.”” says singer Kelly Ogden.

More here.

Read our review of ‘Pop Drunk Snot Bread’ from Bowling For Soup

Millie Manders and the Shutup share ‘Rebound’

Millie Manders and the Shutup – ‘Rebound’

This week saw Millie Manders and the Shutup share their new single, ‘Rebound’, on Valentine’s Day! You can of course listen to the track above!

An ode to toxic online dating, as Millie explains: “Rebound reflects my experience with online dating, but most people I have spoken to have had similar and worse experiences with it. I wanted to write a song that was in solidarity with those on the receiving end of a rebound relationship and let them know they were never the problem.”

The comes ahead of the bands upcoming UK Tour in April.

Tickets are here.

Listen to on our Spotify Hot List!

Chris Shiflett shares ‘Black Top White Lines’

Chris Shiflett – ‘Black Top White Lines’

The steady stream of fantastic new music in our News Report continues to flow from iconic Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett. You can check out his latest solo effort, ‘Black Top White Lines’, above now!

More here.

Listen on out Spotify Hot List!

REWS debut ‘Misery’

REWS – ‘Misery’

Our News Report continues to run through the best new releases of the week with the excellent new single from REWS!

You can check out ‘Misery’ above which comes ahead of new album, ‘Meridians’, which is due November 3rd!

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen on our Spotify Hot List!

Lottery Winners share new single ‘Money’

Lottery Winners – ‘Money’ feat. Shaun Ryder

The fantastic Lottery Winners continue to prepare for their upcoming album, ‘Anxiety Replacement Therapy’, which is out April 26th!

This week the group shared new single, ‘Money’, which features non-other than Shaun Ryder! Check out the video above.

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of Neck of the Woods Festival

Pet Needs share video for ‘Ibiza in Winter’

Pet Needs – ‘Ibiza in Winter’

This week also saw Pet Needs revealed as the special guests on Lottery Winners upcoming UK Tour. That wasn’t the only news for Pet Needs this week however, as they also debuted their video for ‘Ibiza in Winter’, which you can check out above!

New album ‘Primetime Entertainment’ available here.

Watch Episode 11 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Pet Needs!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – ‘Episode 11’ – Pet Needs

Read our review of Pet Needs live in Norwich

Sean McGowan shares ‘Man Up’

Sean McGowan – ‘Man Up’

Also with new music on offer this week was Sean McGowan who shared his latest single, ‘Man Up’! Listen to the track above.

More here.

Read our review of Xtra Mile Recordings 20th Anniversary in London

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Spyres – ‘Sleep Forever’

Glasgow four-piece Spyres return with their new single, ‘Sleep Forever’.

Vocalist/guitarist Keira McGuire explains:

“Sleep Forever is a song about blocking out the realities of life and living in your own world, not wanting to grow up, becoming an adult which puts an end to teenage daydreams and fantasies.”

FUDGE.- ‘Y.F.F.G.’

FUDGE. release their new single, ‘YOUR FALL FROM GRACE’, taken from their forthcoming ‘THAT’S JUST IT, THIS IS NOW’ EP!

Commenting about ‘Y.F.F.G.’ singer Cam says: “It’s different to our usual songs but it’s a fan favourite and shows a very atmospheric, abstract vibe and I see it as a rebellious love song. The feeling I get from this song is the same as the almost surreal sensation you get when you’re on your own late at night or early morning. That may sound strange but some of you might get what I mean.”

Guitarist Otto expands: “I call this our quiet song. I wrote it whilst someone was sleeping in the same room as me, so I picked something sweet sounding and played it with compassion. Luckily, the outcome was one of our most palatable songs for the listener and, honestly, one that I never meant to write but am grateful that I did.”

Drummer Angus adds: “You get to hear Cam’s sensitive side on this song, which is usually hidden behind his radginess. It’s a lot smoother in its ebbs and flows and playing drums to this is actually quite a relaxing experience because, for once, I can sit back and let the song do the work. For that reason, it’s bigger than its constituent parts. A bit of a banger in other words.”

News Report
News Report
IKONIK – ‘Wall of Stone

‘Wall of Stone’ is the debut single from IKONIK, the brainchild of Copenhagen’s Katrine Wachmann.

“‘Wall of Stone’ is a song about commitment issues and being stuck in a relationship that is going nowhere, though knowing that vulnerability might be the only way to make a relationship work. Whatever the listeners get from this song I’m just truly humble, amazed and excited that IKONIK is off on its wings and ready to fly out into the world”.

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Read our review of Black Star Riders live in Ipswich

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Features

The Year In Review 2022

Full Pelt Music looks back on 2022 for our Year In Review

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It’s been another big revival year for the music industry following the pandemic years, and it’s been another year of growth for us at Full Pelt Music! We’ve reviewed 67 albums, 7 EP’s, 6 festivals and 38 gigs in 2022 as some level of normality or even stability has returned to our industry.

That said, there are still many issues facing the industry with livelihoods, venues and organisations at risk for a plethora of reasons. Whilst government action is required in many places, what we as fans can do is support the industry with our money. Times are tough for us all, but purchasing an album, buying a t-shirt, nabbing a ticket and grabbing a drink whilst at a gig does so much to support the industry that we love.

Our two great Podcasts have continued to grow and highlights this year came from guests such as Blood Red Shoes, The Treatment, Skinny Lister, Daytime TV, Pet Needs, The Ninth Wave, Sunflower Bean, James and the Cold Gun, Guise, October Drift, BERRIES, Asylums, As Sirens Fall and Jamie Lenman! We’ve already got some fantastic guests lined up for 2023, so ensure you subscribe and follow us across Social Media!

In our now annual end of year awards we’ll be giving out seven hotly contested awards looking at both the recorded and live sides of the industry. Adding to our well established Album of the Year award this year will be the new EP of the Year award. We’ll also once again be revealing our Single of the Year. All awards have seen fierce competition, as once again it’s been a high quality year for new releases.

On the live side of things, we’ll announce both our Gig and Festival of the Year awards. This year of course provided our first full calendar of music since 2019! We were able to witness many great performances this year and we can’t wait to share with you are favourites.

Lastly we’ll look at the artists who’ve had special years as we award our Artist and ‘Discover’ New Artist of the Year awards. So without further ado, let’s work through those award catagories!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

It has been a truly magnificent year for album releases and getting a spot anywhere in our Top 50 was hard enough but in particular the Top 10 was incredibly tightly fought. You can read the full list here.

‘IMPERA’ from Ghost was able to take the crown this year but any of the top 10 could’ve taken that spot. ‘Reeling’ from The Mysterines in particular would likely have won in any other year, but the majesty and magnificence of ‘IMPERA’ proved unbeatable.

Winner:

‘Impera’ by Ghost

The contenders:

‘Reeling’ by The Mysterines, ‘FTHC’ by Frank Turner, ‘Skinty Fia’ by Fontaines D.C. & ‘The Price of Life’ by Bob Vylan

Previous Winners:

2021 – ‘Blue Weekend’ by Wolf Alice
2020 – ‘Ultra Mono’ by IDLES

EP OF THE YEAR

For the first time this year, we are separating EP’s out of our main award and giving them their own pedestal. That alone is the truest compliment to the quality of EP’s on offer this year.

Again, all EP’s in our top 5 are worthy of the number one spot, but it’s ‘coming of (r)age’ from As Sirens Fall that pips it. Catchy as hell single, ‘heaven (spat us back out)’, helps elevate the release to be crowed our first ever EP of the Year.

Winner:

‘coming of (r)age’ by As Sirens Fall

The contenders:

‘False Start’ by James and the Cold Gun, ‘SCP’ by Oakman, ‘Tyrants’ by IOTA and ‘BLACKGOLD’ by BLACKGOLD

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

We look now at our Single or Song of the Year. In considering the award this year we’ve considered the ear worms that have stayed with us after live performances. We’ve also pondered which songs instantly struck a chord and created a buzz of excitement for the albums and live shows that would follow.

Songs which fell into both of these considerations competed for the award and it was again a tight decision, but ultimately for us this year ‘Dangerous’ from The Mysterines has not just ticked both boxes but also remained on heavy rotation throughout the year despite being an early arrival in 2022. That’s why that track is our 2022 Single of the Year!

Check out the winning single below:

The Mysterines – ‘Dangerous’
Winner:

‘Dangerous’ by The Mysterines

The contenders:

‘Talk Hard’ by Jamie Lenman, ‘Compliance’ by Muse, ‘Wicked Ways’ by Halestorm, ‘Spillways’ by Ghost

Previous Winners:

2021 – ‘Test of our Resolve’ from Press To MECO
2020 – ‘Obey’ by Bring Me The Horizon feat. Yungblud

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

2022 was the first full festival season since 2019 and what a return it was. All eyes were on Glastonbury once again, British Summer Time curated a stunning line-up, Download Festival breathed fire and 2000trees was able to remind everyone what’s so great about smaller festivals.

Our winner this year though is Reading & Leeds who went big, sold out and delivered an action packed weekend even with the huge loss of Rage Against The Machine amongst others. Always a perennial contender for this award, 2022 felt like the year the event reclaimed its identity.

Read our review of Reading Festival Saturday

Winner:

Reading & Leeds

The contenders:

Glastonbury Festival, British Summer Time, Download Festival, 2000trees Festival

Previous Winners:

2021 – Download Pilot Festival
2020 – Wild Fields Festival

GIG OF THE YEAR

We’ve reviewed many gigs this year but in reality there could only ever be one winner. Rammstein’s tour is less of a concert and more of an experience; one that everyone, fan of the band or not, should experience at least once.

Beyond that there was still some incredible, top tier gigs in 2022 and our contenders are all worthy of glory, but Rammstein are currently on a whole different level.

Read our review of Rammstein live in Coventry

Winner:

Rammstein @ Coventry Arena

The contenders:

Royal Blood @ O2 Arena, London, Ghost @ Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Muse @ Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London, The Killers @ Carrow Road, Norwich, The Hella Mega Tour @ London Stadium, London, Creeper @ Roundhouse, London, Idlewild @ O2 Kentish Town Forum, London

Previous Winners:

2021 – Bring Me The Horizon @ O2 Arena, London
2020 – Frank Turner @ Arboretum, Nottingham

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Artist of the Year now and for this award we look for somebody who has had a huge, perhaps even career-defining year. Previous winners Frank Turner and Biffy Clyro have done so by delivering incredible feats, far above the norm.

This year was a big year for many acts, but we’ve gone for Bring Me The Horizon as a band that have had a career-defining twelve months. Long tipped as festival headliners at a major event, many felt that the time would never come for one of the best live bands on the planet. Big releases, sold-out tours, no matter what the group did they never seemed to be given that torch, that is until this year!

Watching Bring Me The Horizon step up and headline at Reading & Leeds this summer felt like a real moment, not just for the band but for the whole scene. For any metal band, let alone one once considered so unfashionable to headline the biggest festivals in the UK is massive.

Already announced to finally headline Download Festival in 2023, 2022 will forever be linked for Bring Me The Horizon to taking that final career-defining set. Throw in their genre-defying collaboration with Ed Sheeran, 2022’s Artist of the Year had to be Bring Me The Horizon.

Winner:

Bring Me The Horizon

The contenders:

Ghost, Rammstein, Biffy Clyro, Muse

Previous Winners:

2021 – Biffy Clyro
2020 – Frank Turner

‘DISCOVER’ NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

As a publication we always want to put new music at the heart of what we do, and that’s why our final award is perhaps our most important! Our ‘Discover’ New Artist of the Year is awarded to the act we’ve chosen to highlight on our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist and Podcast who we feel has made the biggest impact this year.

At the beginning of 2022 we put the spotlight on new Colchester act PET NEEDS as they continued to promote their debut album, ‘Fractured Party Music’. From that point on the band never looked back with a world tour, a second album (‘Primtime Entertainment’) and a sold out hometown show all under their belts.

They even found the time to become the first (and only at the time of writing) band to progress from our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast and appear on The Full Pelt Music Podcast! Yes, fighting off some stiff competition for the ‘Discover’ New Artist of the Year award in 2022 is PET NEEDS!

Winners:

PET NEEDS

The Contenders:

BERRIES, As Sirens Fall, Oakman, James and the Cold Gun, Daytime TV, MOSKITO

Previous Winners:

2020 – Miss Vincent

So, that’s it! Another year in the record books, it’s been another difficult year and it has again been particularly tough on the music industry. That said, we’ve had a full year of live music for the first time since 2019 and the creative juices remain flowing with some absolutely stunning new releases over the past twelve months.

Below you can enjoy some of our favourite gig photos of the year courtesy of our wonderful photographer Denis!

All 📸 (c) Denis Gorbatov / Full Pelt Music

We hope you’ve enjoyed our The Year in Review 2022 and we wish you a very Happy New Year. Here’s hoping 2023 is a good one!

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Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

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News Report

Download Festival reveals 20th Anniversary line-up

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We start this week with festival announcements and where else could we start other than the monster 20th Anniversary line-up announcement from Download Festival!

Extended to four days this year the event will feature two unique headline sets from Metallica, the return of Donington icons Slipknot and a well deserved top billing for Bring Me The Horizon.

Other big slots are taken by the likes of Alexisonfire, Architects, The Distillers, Disturbed, Evanescence, Ghost, I Prevail, Parkway Drive, Pendulum, Placebo, Simple Plan, Ville Valo and Within Temptation.

It doesn’t stop there and also playing will be the likes of The Blackout, Fever 333, Kid Kapichi, Nova Twins, Seether and Witch Fever.

Tickets are selling fast and are available here.

Read our review of Download Festival 2022

Airbourne to headline Steelhouse Festival

Welsh rock fans are in for a treat when Airbourne bring the party on Saturday night at next years Steelhouse Festival!

The Aussies will headline the event which also features The Answer, Blues Pills, Kris Barras Band, Florence Black, The Cruel Knives, Austin Gold and more, with plenty more to be announced.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Airbourne live in Norwich

Arctangent reveals initial wave of acts

Bristol’s Arctangent has revealed a wave of acts set for next August’s event including deafheaven playing ‘Sunbather’ in full.

They are joined by the likes of Pigs x7, And So I Watch You From Afar, Loathe, Brutus, Scalping, Svalbard, Conjurer and many more.

Tickets are here.

Listen to our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Spotify Playlist

South Facing bill revealed for 2023

Crystal Palace Bowl in London will once again host South Facing festival next summer and this week Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and more were amongst the first acts revealed.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of The Snuts live in Norwich

News Report

Peter Gabriel announces first EU tour in nearly a decade!

We stay with the live side of things next as our News Report moves onto the best tour announcements from the past week!

Peter Gabriel has revealed his first European tour in nearly a decade including UK dates in Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Manchester.

Gabriel said of the tour: â€œIt’s been a while and I am now surrounded by a whole lot of new songs and am excited to be taking them out on the road for a spin. Look forward to seeing you out there.”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘The Car’ from Arctic Monkeys

Peter Hook & The Light reveal additional UK dates

Peter Hook & The Light will be bringing his ‘Joy Division: A Celebration’ tour back to the UK again next April.

Hook will be performing the albums ‘Unknown Pleasures’ and ‘Closer’ plus an opening set of New Order material.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Songs From Planet Earth’ from Deux Furieuses

Primal Scream & Happy Mondays to team up in Margate

We continue our News Report with news that Saturday 5th August will see Dreamland in Margate taken over be a co-headline show from Primal Scream and Happy Mondays.

Tickets are here.

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

James announce 40th Anniversary Tour

In celebration of their 40th Anniversary, James have announced a new UK ‘James Lasted’ Tour complete with 22-piece orchestra and gospel choir!

Tim Booth says “There are a number of great bands who have been around for 40. But to get here and to be having the best time of our lives. To be part of a supportive loving family that still has something to say and new ways to say it. To be turned on by every gig and song. To fall in love over and over again, Groundhog Day, with our bandmates and audience. Damn. That’s time well spent.

We should have recorded the orchestra tour first time round, as many of you have reminded us. Well, we’ve done it now. And here comes the tour. The Orchestra and Gospel singers expand our palette, heighten the tenderness, heighten the celebration and, despite their numbers, somehow leave us feeling more naked and raw. It will be different, probably each night, because we are James and Joe knows how to dance with us. And because you are different, each night. Please leave your phones behind, come and play in the moment.
”

Jim Glennie says “Has it really been 40 years? In some ways it feels like yesterday and in others, many lifetimes. I’ve lived a blessed existence, being in a band I’m supremely proud of with musicians that would grace any stage. A family of brothers and sisters, willing to support each other musically and emotionally. We are bloody minded and independent to the core. Uniquely challenging, always pushing ourselves into the new and taking risks collectively and individually, looking for transcendence. With love, trust, and acceptance we grow. Somewhere in a parallel universe, James are the biggest band on the planet. Here’s to another 40 years.”

Tickets and album pre-orders are here.

Read our review of ‘Signs of Life’ from Asylums

Razorlight announce ‘best of’ Tour

News Report

Our News Report continues with the news that Razorlight will hitting the road in April next year for a special ‘best of’ tour.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of the self-titled album from The Hunna

Daughtry reveal UK Tour

Daughtry will be returning to the UK in March for a run of dates that will conclude at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Sum 41 live in London

British Lion set up new UK run

Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris will once again be taking British Lion on the road in the UK next January. Joining them for these shows will be Coney Hatch and Airforce.

Steve Harris comments, “We’re excited to be touring the UK again especially as we’ll be visiting many places we’ve not had a chance to play before. It’s fantastic that we’ve got long-time friends Coney Hatch coming over from Canada to join us. We had great fun when they were our special guests on the British Lion Canadian shows in 2018. And we’re happy to have our old mates Airforce back out on the road with us too. Everyone is really looking forward to this tour and we can’t wait to see everyone.”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Iron Maiden at Download Festival

Dirty Honey announce ‘California Dreamin’ Tour

Rockers Dirty Honey have announced a UK/EU Tour taking place early next year.

Prior to the tour, in January 2023, the band are set to release a brand new, re-recorded version of album track ‘Heartbreaker’.

“Some songs really come to life after they’ve been performed a bunch of times. You can really see an audience react to a line being sung a certain way or a riff grooving that you didn’t think of while recording in the studio. Over time we realized the song took on a new life on the road in both North America and Europe and we wanted to capture that energy….” – Marc Labelle, vocalist of Dirty Honey, talking about Heartbreaker 2.0

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Dirty Honey supporting Rival Sons

Dream State reveal UK tour dates

A refreshed Dream State have revealed their first UK Tour with their new look line-up.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Pulled Apart By Horses live in Norwich

Pet Needs expand their ‘Primetime Entertainment’ Tour

Pet Needs have announced additional dates for their ‘Primetime Entertainment’ Tour, with the new shows taking place early next year.

Tickets are here.

Watch Episode 11of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Pet Needs

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 11 – Pet Needs

Read our review of ‘Primetime Entertainment’ from Pet Needs

News Report

Skindred announce new album ‘Smile’

Skindred – ‘GIMME THAT BOOM’

We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and we begin with Skindred!

The group this week announced new album, ‘Smile’, will be released August 4th. The band also shared new single, ‘GIMME THAT BOOM’, which you can check out above.

The track is based on a frustrating encounter lead singer Benji Webbe had with an overfamiliar fan.
 
“I was out shopping one day and I could hear someone building up asking me for a picture,” Webbe recalls. “The person didn’t care who I was with or what I was doing – they just wanted their picture. In this day and age, people want you and they expect to get you on tap, constantly giving you that ‘boom’ so they can get their Instagram Likes up. It’s important to remember that people can’t give you that ‘boom’ all the time. People think because they follow you on social media, they own you.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of Download Pilot Festival

The Dead Daisies share ‘Born To Fly’

The Dead Daisies – ‘Born To Fly’

Ahead of their UK Tour next month, The Dead Daisies have released new single, ‘Born To Fly’, which you can listen to above.

“Doug & I got together in New York earlier in the year and worked on a riff that I had written previously.  Doug had a chorus that just fitted, we messed around with the melody and came up with the name ‘Born To Fly’.  This is a straight-up rock song.  For me it’s literal, I was born to fly.  However we’re all born to fly in our own way.” – David Lowy

Tickets are here.

Listen to our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

REWS share ‘The World That You Left Behind’

REWS – ‘The World That You Left Behind’

This week saw REWS share new single, ‘The World That Left You Behind’, which you can check out above.

“Ah! I’m ecstatic about finally releasing this song!! It’s got so much energy, riff’s for days and a great message!! I wrote it with a great friend of mine from NI, Cahir O’Doherty (New Pagans). It is a song that journey’s through how we can support those people in our lives who get carried away with negative thoughts and feel utterly lost and alone. Hopefully the song will provide a nice audio net for people to fall into at times of need, so they know they aren’t alone!” – Shauna

More here.

Read our review of REWS at Y Not Festival

The Bottom Line debut ‘Fake Love’

The Bottom Line – ‘Fake Love’

The Bottom Line have debuted their latest single, ‘Fake Love’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Listen to our Podcasts

Black Honey announce 3rd album ‘A Fistful of Peaches’

Black Honey – ‘Heavy’

Our News Report continues with the news that Black Honey will release their third album, ‘A Fistful of Peaches’, on March 17th.

You can check out their new single, ‘Heavy’, above.

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of Black Honey live in Norwich

Dream Wife debut ‘Leech’

Dream Wife – ‘Leech’

Finally, our News Report brings you ‘Leech’, the brand new single from Dream Wife, which you can of course listen to above!

More here.

Read our review of Dream Wife at Y Not Festival

News Report
News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Dissonants – ‘Grave Mind’

Dissonants have shared their huge new single ‘Grave Mind’.

‘Lyrically, Grave Mind is more conceptual than our previous work. I wrote the track from the viewpoint of someone on their deathbed looking back on their life and wondering if, now that it’s over and coming to a close, they can be happy and at peace. For this track we wanted to draw less from our own experiences and look at concepts such as mortality and happiness, and how one can affect the other’. – Frontman Benjie Allen.

News Report
M(h)aol – ‘Asking For It’

M(h)aol will release debut album, ‘Attachment Styles’ on February 3rd. This week they shared new single, ‘Asking For It’.

On the track singer RĂłisĂ­n said, “I wrote it initially in 2016 then revisited it in 2020. I was shocked by how much internalised victim blaming there was in the lyrics. I rewrote it, then we recorded it and it was released to raise money for Women’s Aid in 2021. The album version is a lot angrier than the 2021 one and almost satirical insofar as it’s highlighting how ludicrous the notion of anyone ‘asking for it’ is.”

News Report
Chasing Kites – ‘Shiver’

Bath-based indie-rock four-piece Chasing Kites return with their fourth single ‘Shiver’.

Speaking about the writing process, vocalist and lyricist Matt Donnelly explains, ‘’Shiver came together extremely quickly. I’d had the lyrics lying around for a very long time and felt they fit perfectly with the sonic side of the track when the melody was written. As we built on the skeleton of the song, our aim was to take us back into the realms of indie rock through powerful injections of energy in the choruses, while maintaining our commercial sound throughout.’’

Watch Episode 21 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Dissonants

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 21 – Dissonants

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

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News Report

Shinedown announce ‘Planet Zero’ UK Tour

Welcome one and all to another edition of our weekly music News Report, where we roundup the best news from the past week. We start off this week with the best tour announcements.

Up first are Shinedown who have announced a UK Tour for later this year which will include a date at Wembley Arena. Support comes from Asking Alexandria and Zero 9:36.

Frontman Brent Smith states, “We have always been inspired by the UK and European audiences. Their passion for music is extraordinary. We are beyond excited to be returning as headliners, with our biggest show yet!”

“We are overwhelmed by the love and support of our new album, ‘Planet Zero’ and look forward to sharing our new songs, along with all of your Shinedown favorites!!! Cheers!!!”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Festival 2022

Airbourne reveal 2 large UK shows

Another band that played at Download Festival this past week that will be returning to the UK later this year is Airbourne.

The band will play Manchester and London in December with support from Blues Pills and Crobot.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Airbourne live in Norwich

Rise Against set for November UK Tour

Also announcing an Autumn UK Tour this week were Rise Against who will be returning in November with The Story So Far in support.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Nowhere Generation’ from Rise Against

Ice Nine Kills set for UK Tour

Fans of Ice Nine Kills will need to wait until March next year for their UK Tour, but they are coming and venues are already being upgraded!

Tickets are here.

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VUKOVI announce new UK/EU Tour

VUKOVI have announced a new UK/EU Tour for October which will feature some of the bands biggest shows to date.

Support comes from Zand.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of VUKOVI live in Norwich

Music Venue Trust reveal new wave of #ReviveLive shows

As the music industry continues to strive for a return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance, the incredible Music Venue Trust has announced another wave of #ReviveLive shows.

With support from The National Lottery attendees can bring a friend for free to a plethora of newly revealed shows.

Acts taking part this go around include Everything Everything, Paolo Nutini, The Amazons, The Coral, Baby Dave, Coach Party, Sick Joy, The Goa Express and Thumper!

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Black Honey live in Norwich

Sports Team announce ‘Friendship’ Tour

Our News Report is jam packed with new tour announcements this week, including the above ‘Friendship’ UK, IE & USA tour from Sports Team.

Tickets are here.

Listen to our Spotify Hot List!

Skinny Lister announce UK Tour

Skinny Lister will also be on the road later this year as they take another lap around the UK.

Support on various dates comes from BERRIES, Deux Furieuses and Tom Jenkins.

Tickets are here.

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 6 – Skinny Lister

Read our review of Skinny Lister live in Norwich

Wargasm announce the ‘Explicit’ Tour

Wargasm have announced the ‘Explicit’ Tour which will take them around the UK this October.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Pilot Festival

Zeal & Ardor set for lengthy Tour

Zeal & Ardor have announced a lengthy UK/EU Tour for later this year including a date at Electric Brixton.

Tickets are here.

Listen to our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Loathe set for UK Tour

So, so many tour announcements in our News Report this week and we still are not done yet.

Loathe will be playing nine dates across the UK this October including a date at the Electric Ballroom in Camden.

Support comes from Void of Vision and Omerta.

Tickets are here.

Listen to The Full Pelt Music Podcast

Inglorious announce UK Tour

Inglorious will also be touring later this year with a lengthy trek planned in across the UK. Support comes from A New Tomorrow.

Frontman, Nathan James, comments “I am so excited to get back out on tour with the guys . Over the pandemic we were not able to tour as much as we usually would, but we were able to release albums. So we did! We recorded the We Will Ride album, The Heroine all female covers album and the 1st ever Inglorious live album and dvd.  It’s amazing now to be able to pick songs from all of those albums to make the ultimate inglorious set.
 
On this tour we will be bringing something totally different set wise and we’re really looking forward to playing songs from across all of our albums. Inglorious has always been a strong live act and now more so than ever. Tighter, harder and more determined to show people what we are about. 

We hope to see everyone on the “Until We Die 2022 UK Tour” and cannot wait make some noise for you all again.”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Diamond Star Halos’ from Def Leppard

News Report

Download Festival set for 20th Anniversary 4 Day extravaganza!

We continue with the live side of the industry now as our News Report continues with the latest festival announcements.

Following a successful return to Donington Park this past weekend Download Festival has revealed that next year will be a special 4 day celebration.

2023 marks the 20th Anniversary of the event, and tickets are on sale now here.

Read our review of Download Festival 2022

Reading & Leeds Festival make final line-up announcement

Reading and Leeds Festivals this week made their final line-up announcement ahead of the events this August.

Just added are Anorak Patch, Cassyette, Courting, Ho99o9, The Native, The Skinner Brothers, Thumper and many more.

Tickets and info here.

Read our review of Thumper live in Norwich

Burn It Down Festival sets line-up

Burn It Down Festival takes over Torquay again this September and the event has confirmed their stacked line-up for this year.

Headliners Trash Boat and Deaf Havana will be joined by the likes of Static Dress, Our Hollow Our Home, Haggard Cat, Cassyette, VUKOVI, Tigercub, Salem, As December Falls, Death Blooms, Pupil Slicer and more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Salem live in Norwich

RISEFEST add more acts

RISEFEST in Newcastle is looking absolutely huge this September with Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes set to headline.

The supporting cast has been revealed to include Creeper, Boston Manor, Cassyette, VUKOVI, As December Falls, WSTR, Zand and more!

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Creeper live in London

News Report

Deaf Havana debut new track ‘Nevermind’

Deaf Havana – ‘Nevermind’

We move our News Report on now to the latest new releases, and we start with Deaf Havana.

As the band gear up to release their sixth studio album, ‘The Present Is A Foreign Land’, on 15th July they have debuted new track, ‘Nevermind’, which you can check out above.

Pre-order the album here.

Listen to ‘On The Wire’ from Deaf Havana on our Spotify Hot List!

LIFE release new single ‘The Drug’

LIFE – ‘The Drug’

LIFE continue to gear up for the release of ‘North East Coastal Town’ on August 19th. You can listen to their new single, ‘The Drug’, above.

Speaking on the new single vocalist Mez Green says: “The Drug is a love song. I wrote the lyrics in the cold mountains of Italy before taking them into the room with the band. ‘The Drug’ I needed has always been here, the drug I needed has always been near” is, for me, realising that loved ones and those that love you, no matter where you are, can always be present.

I’d never really believed this before and whilst this purity is at the lyrical heart of the song musically the band decided to inject flecks of dance, pop, harmonics, and dirty pulses to give the song drive, repetition and jerk-ability.”

Pre-order the album here.

Listen to our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast

Sløtface return with Double A-Side

Sløtface – ‘Beta’

Norway’s Sløtface return with the news that the group’s figurehead Haley Shea will now be leading the band, with Lasse and Tor-Arne leaving to focus on new passions outside the group.

To signal this era beginning they have released a double a-side of ‘Beta’, and ‘Come Hell Or Whatever’. You Can listen to ‘Beta’ above.

“”Beta” was the very first song Mikhael and I worked on together in his studio. It should be listened to while wearing sunglasses, even on cloudy days!

The song is about wanting to connect with people on a deeper level, but feeling like social media sometimes gets in the way, with things becoming somewhat intimidating, shallow and superficial. The song is a confidence booster for myself where I’m trying to be cooler than I am. It was written at a time when I really, really missed the rush of playing live, and I needed to find some of that spark and edge in myself that only really comes out on stage.” 

More here.

Read our review of ‘Supernova’ from Nova Twins

Twister announce new single ‘Own Worst Enemy’

Twister – ‘Own Worst Enemy’

Finally, this week Twister shared their latest single, ‘Own Worst Enemy’, which you can listen to above.

Singer and guitarist Stevie Stoker comments: “Twister are evolving and progressing with every release and the momentum we’re building on the road is really driving us to bigger and better things in the studio. It’s such an exciting time.” 

More here.

Listen to ‘Don’t Play Nice’ from Twister on our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist.

News Report

Sunsleeper – ‘Blemishes’

Indie rock band Sunsleeper have shared their newest track, ‘Blemishes’.

“’Blemishes’ is about the slow unraveling of a deeply important friendship, as well as the acceptance of the relationship’s end,” shares vocalist Jeffery Mudgett. “The freedom in letting go of a toxic relationship is underrated. Sometimes there’s no need to mourn the end, but rather we should celebrate leaving that toxicity behind.”

News Report

cheerbleederz – ‘notes app apologies’

London indie punk trio cheerbleederz reveal their latest single ‘notes app apologies’.

Commenting on the track and video, the band say: “This song is about letting go of an abusive relationship. There’s a lot of fear and doubt that comes with separating yourself from somebody who manipulates you, and it leaves behind feelings of anger, as well as guilt and doubt.

You end up questioning everything while simultaneously harbouring a lot of resentment for the person who treated you that way. We wanted this song to feel cathartic and unapologetic—it ultimately feels very healing.”

News Report

MODES – ‘Infamous’

Kent’s MODES deliver their new single, ‘Infamous’.

MODES frontman Ted Berry reveals that the new single “Infamous is a song we wrote to reflect on anger and past trauma that we have experienced. We wanted to put this into words to help others feel understood and seen. It’s only human to have been in situations that lead to feeling hurt, angry, and even disappointed in how you have been treated by others.”

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find our the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Read our review of Neck of the Woods Festival

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Live Reviews

Download Festival

Donington Park

10th to 12th June 2022

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With the pandemic taking a hold back in early 2020, Download Festival became one of the first major festival victims. It was perhaps fitting therefore that the small Pilot version of the event was the first step on the road back to normality last year.

Read our review of Download Pilot Festival

That does mean though that as we head into Donington Park in 2022, it is the first fully fledged festival since the 2019 edition. After three long years, it is finally time for rock and metal fans to convene again on these hallowed grounds.

There are a number of changes this year to the layout of the festival but the best change is the installation of a strange golden orb in the sky. The usual brown flooring has also been painted green. Yes, goodbye Drownload and hello sunburn!

The main changes to the festival relate to the layout of the campsites, parking and transport hubs. Given these new changes, a little extra signage may have assisted seasoned attendees finding their way around, but in general the changes work well. There is a lot of walking required, however there always is at Donington Park however the event is laid out.

Once inside the area the setup is pretty standard if a little cut back with smaller stages, fewer food stalls and no wrestling or other extra areas. But, it’s Download and everyone is just glad to be here.

FRIDAY REVIEW

So then, on to the music! Opening the main stage on Friday are NWOCR favourites Wayward Sons who make the most of their short time on stage. They are quickly followed by Canadians Theory (of a Deadman) who also only have a short time to show their stuff. Thankfully for them they are able to call upon some festival-perfect material as the crowd sing along to ‘Bitch Came Back’, ‘Hate My Life’ and ‘Bad Girlfriend’.

Recently rejigged Bury Tomorrow follow on the main stage and bring the first real taste of heavy to the festival. The band are clearly honoured by the opportunity and try their best to win over the audience, with our first pyro of the weekend helping to add to the occasion. By the time the band leave the stage and a pile of bodies in the audience, the set has to be considered a success.

We go walkabout next and visit first the second stage for a man who has already played Download Festival with both Alter Bridge and Slash, Myles Kennedy. With two solo albums now to his name, Kennedy only grows his legacy with another top class performance.

Read our review of ‘The Ides of March’ from Myles Kennedy

Secondly we head to the Avalanche Stage for something new. American pop-punk band Meet Me @ the Altar have intensifying hype around them, and keeping with the tone of the day they are able to grasp this opportunity with both hands. Expect bigger things from the band in the near future.

As day one begins to draw to a close with catch two of Download’s house bands with Skindred on the main stage and Airbourne over on the second stage. Both bands attract big crowds, because fans know what to expect from them. High energy, entertaining rock shows are delivered by both as fans get to revel in what they have missed over the last three years.

Read our review of Airbourne live in Norwich

Having delivered an incredible headlining performance at the Pilot event last summer, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes return to Donington Park next to headline the second stage. Carter and co show the crowd what they missed last year with another stunning performance. This band must be considered one of the best live bands on the planet and who would put it past them headlining the main stage in the future.

Read our review of ‘Sticky’ from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Download Festival after all needs to begin focusing on that next generation of headline acts, because many of the old guard are saying farewell. It is the ‘End of the Road’ for KISS, but not before one final triumphant showcase this year.

The band are able to deliver all the pageantry of a KISS show with every party trick played with precision. As the fans walk away with ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’ stuck in their heads, the band have brought the party and night one is closed out in style.

SATURDAY REVIEW

Saturday morning brings a fresh day with the sun still shining bright, but early risers at the main stage are left waiting with opening act The Raven Age almost forty minutes late. When the band do arrive they are able to show their continued growth with a matured performance.

This delay subsequently leads to a 30+ minute lag on main stage times throughout the rest of the day which plays havoc with fans carefully curated schedules. It does mean however that we can head to the second stage and catch the energetic Cassyette who is capitalising on the momentum earned over the last year.

It’s then back to the main stage for the classic rock sounds of Those Damn Crows and Monster Truck. Both bands continue the impressive start to the festival. Clearly every act is out to cast off the shackles of recent years and make an impression.

Both of these bands leave the fans wanting more, which is all a band can do with these early festival slots. It’s probably a good thing then, that these two bands will be touring the UK together later this year!

Up next for us is one of the performances of the weekend from Holding Absence over on the Avalanche stage. With songs like ‘Afterlife’ and ‘Wilt’ seemingly made for festival crowds to sing along to, the band completely own the packed tent during their time on stage.

Read our review of ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ from Holding Absence

Shinedown are also a band that knows how to control a crowd, and they have a large crowd to play with next on the main stage. With a new album on the way, the band incorporate new tracks ‘The Saints of Violence and Innuendo’ and ‘Planet Zero’ into their tried and tested, crowd pleasing set.

It’s then back to the Avalanche stage for another standout performance. This time it’s Creeper on the stage, the band again showing an innate ability to hold the audience in the palm of their hands. Creeper continue to grow and evolve and it will be interesting to see where the band head next.

Read our review of Creeper live in London

We stick next to the Avalanche stage for headliners Funeral For A Friend. Perhaps it’s the fact that we’ve just witnessed two fantastic performances on this stage from Holding Absence and Creeper but something feels a little off for this set. It’s not a lacklustre performance as the band give it their all, but on a weekend full of great performances what is probably a really good one feels a little underwhelming.

There is never anything underwhelming however about Iron Maiden. The band are icons for a reason and their current stage show is possibly their best ever. With Maiden on form and a packed Donington Park in fine voice, this headline set was always going to be one for the ages, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Read our review of ‘Senjutsu’ from Iron Maiden
SUNDAY REVIEW

Now onto Sunday morning, with hangovers taking hold, feet aching and stamina’s waning. It’s up to Wargasm to blow away any cobwebs as they open the main stage, and that’s just what they do. The band are developing into something of a marmite band, but there is no doubting the passion and energy that they put into every performance; and judging by the reaction they go down very well this morning.

Sidetracking from the music for a moment, we commented in our Neck of the Woods Festival review about the cost of food and drink this year. There are no surprises therefore that prices are high at Download Festival, but the quality on offer at that price is disappointing. Inflation is one thing, but shrinkflation begins to rub, and more than one meal this weekend leaves a sour taste in our mouth (figuratively and literally in one case!).

Well, if the amenities on offer are disappointing, thankfully the music isn’t. As we have said, the quality of performances this weekend is consistently high. Both The Velveteers in the Dogtooth tent and The Last Internationale on the second stage are fine examples of this quality from top to bottom.

Massive Wagons follow on the second stage and again appear on top form. As many bands have this weekend, they tailor their set list perfectly for their time on stage and it’s wall to wall bangers as the kids would say.

Tremonti next are more methodical as they display their technical prowess. Mark Tremonti and co are mightily impressive and the audience are equally receptive.

Read our review of ‘Marching In Time’ from Tremonti

We shoot then across to the main stage where Rise Against are another band that fail to meet expectations. The band are an incredible force, but sadly today they struggle to translate from the stage for whatever reason.

Read our review of ‘Nowhere Generation’ from Rise Against

Volbeat have no problems though as they are instantly able to grab the audience. They deliver a career spanning setlist to the delight of the field, which shows just why they have established themselves as potential future headliners.

Read our review of Volbeat live in London

We then find time to dart across to the Avalanche stage one last time as Trash Boat showcase one of the albums of last year, ‘Don’t You Feel Amazing?’. Trash Boat have really come into their own and have the entire tent bouncing along.

Read our review of ‘Don’t You Feel Amazing?’ from Trash Boat

Korn are the penultimate band to play the main stage this weekend and they make the most of their position with one of the best performances of the festival. The band are longtime Download Festival favourites and they evidence today just why that is.

Read our review of ‘Requiem’ from Korn

There is another look at the future next as Yonaka pack out the Dogtooth tent. Those that have made the effort to catch the band are rewarded by an incredible performance from one of the most exciting young rock bands around.

Read our review of ‘Seize the Power’ from Yonaka

Last but certainly not least with have Biffy Clyro who are one of the biggest rock bands in the UK, but seemingly another marmite band amongst regular Download Festival goers.

One thing for certain is that those that chose to the stay until the end are rewarded by way of a sublime headlining performance. Biffy Clyro are another level live act and tonight they deliver a superb closing show fitting of closing this event.

Read our review of Biffy Clyro live in London

Consistent high calibre performances have encapsulated the return of Download Festival this weekend. The event has a special place in the hearts of its fan base and will celebrate next year with a special four day 20th anniversary celebration. We can’t wait!

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