After months of intense speculation, Download Festival 2018 has dropped its full lineup. Featuring the likes of Korn, Prophets of Rage, Limp Bizkit, NOFX and more — it’s set to be a doozy. There’s a lot to look forward to in the lineup, but here are some of our top picks.
Korn
Taking out the headline slot, the alt-metal juggernaut will be hitting the stage in Australia for the first time in four years for one show only. Sure, ‘Freak on a Leash’ will rule, but what we’re really keen for is a searing rendition of ‘Twisted Transistor’.
Limp Bizkit
Prepare to get down like its the year 2000. Prepare to (proverbially, that is) break stuff. Prepare to move in, now move out. Hands up, now hands down. Back up, back up – tell me what you’re gonna do now? Hot tip: we’ll tell you what you’re gonna do. And that’s lose your shit to ‘Rollin” live. It’s still a banger, and we don’t care if it’s played out.
Good Charlotte
THIS IS THE ANTHEM, THROW ALL YOUR HANDS UP. Ah, the sweet saccharine rebellion that Good Charlotte represented is set to come back to life years after it first fueled your never-ending supply of teenage angst. Sure, you’re older now — but that doesn’t mean listening to anything from The Young and The Hopeless live isn’t going to be one hell of a time. To be honest, they could play exclusively from that record and nothing else and we’d be happy. In fact, here’s hoping they do just that.
Prophets of Rage
Sure, it’s not Rage Against the Machine — but the spirit of Prophets of Rage beats in the very same vein. Politically charged music sizzling with sonic vitriol, the pit will be heaving and the stage will be ablaze. Don’t rule this one out. Plus, they’ve been known to playing ‘Killing in the Name’ live too.
Read our feature interview with Prophets of Rage here.
King Parrot
To be honest, the local contingent of the Download Festival lineup is genuinely strong. Some may say even stronger than the headliners themselves, but we’ll leave that up to you to decide. Melbourne’s own King Parrot will be tearing the stage a new one with their blistering thrash punk. They’re set to be an undoubted highlight.
Issues
Merging the best of metalcore riffs with hook-laden, pop-punk choruses, Atlanta five-piece Issues will be bringing their latest record Headspace to Download Australia. ‘Mad at Myself’ proved this act was a force to be reckoned with, while ‘COMA’ solidified their position in the heavy scene – making it known that Issues will be around for years to come.
Trophy Eyes
I’ve been saying this all year: Emo’s back, baby. Or more specifically, the sad boy renaissance is upon us. Pop-punk heartthrobs Trophy Eyes will be bringing their emotive, powerful sound to the stage in light of numerous sold-out tours. ‘Chemical Miracle’ is the track to look out for here, for obvious reasons. However, their new single ‘Hurt’ offers a glimpse at an exciting new direction for the Newcastle act.
Mastodon
Mastodon are a behemoth. If you’ve already seen them, you know what to expect. If you’ve not had the privilege to do so yet, then you’re in luck. Their latest album, Emperor of Sand, finds them at a career-best form. ‘Blood and Thunder’ is an all-time classic.
Suicidal Tendencies
File under: legendary. The godfathers of crossover thrash, Suicidal Tendencies have been pioneering their seminal approach to hardcore punk since the early ’80s. Still as tight as ever, Suicidal Tendencies were and still are a live force to be reckoned with. Mike “Cyco Miko” Muir will land in Australia joined by, Dean Pleasants, Jeff Pogan, Ra Díaz, and ex-Slayer drumming genius Dave Lombardo for a capstone set.
Clowns
Clowns fucking rule. So much so that Dave bloody Grohl handpicked them to open up for the Foo Fighters on their forthcoming tour. So much so that we put them on the cover of our magazine. Killer vocals merged with breakneck power pop is always a winning combination. Get a taste of what you’re in for with their Beat TV Live performance below.
