With Slam Dunk Festival firmly on the horizon here's our guide of top picks from what is an altogether pretty damn stacked line-up. Riffs, sing-alongs and a party atmosphere - what else could you possibly want from Slam Dunk?
Glassjaw - Impericon Stage - 7.40pm-8.35pm
Since the release of the excellent Material Control after a fifteen year gap between studio albums in 2017 this New York post-hardcore outfit have been able to exponentially grow their cult following. This is all due mainly to the fact that despite long periods with only the odd EP and track, the band have shown that really and truly they're as good as they ever have been. An absolutely gargantuan force live, Glassjaw's set to close out the Impericon Stage has the potential to not only be one of the best sets at Slam Dunk this year but could well be one of the highlights of the entire festival season.
Gallows - Impericon Stage - 6.10pm-6.55pm
As the curtain dropped at last year's Slam Dunk Festival, there wouldn't have been many who would have predicted that Gallows would be making a most welcome return to proceedings in 2019. With members across the band pursuing other projects in 2015, the band lapsed in to 'hiatus' and it was unclear what exactly, if anything, their future held. The reaction to their return and subsequent addition to the Slam Dunk 2019 fold has been huge and we cannot wait to see the inevitable chaos explode. It should also be very interesting to see whether the set brings any new material.
The Bronx - Impericon Stage - 4.50pm-5.30pm
Speaking of chaotic Punk shows, there are few bands currently on the circuit as influential as The Bronx. The band are still out on tour in support of the most recent record released in 2017 and the two sets across Slam Dunk weekend are set to be the last on these shores for some time. This will be a hit-heavy bonanza of a show, one that could very easily threaten to steal the day.
Cancer Bats - Impericon Stage - 3.30pm-4.10pm
Another band all set to hit the hugely impressive bill on the Impericon Stage this year are the almighty Cancer Bats. The Canadian group are back in Europe for another busy festival season as one of the hardest working live units in heavy music continue to plough on in support of their excellent The Spark That Moves which they unleashed as a surprise just over a year ago. Wouldn't matter what line-up Cancer Bats were on, they are always primed to take the set-of-the-day accolade. Expect a hit heavy dose of enthusiastic carnage - standard.
Bullet For My Valentine - Jagermeister Stage - 8.45pm-10.00pm
One of the really big names gracing Slam Dunk this year, the Welsh Metallers are now just over twenty years in to their career, a career which has seen them hit almost as many highs as they've had lows. Headlining the Jagermeister Stage, there is one thing you can absolutely be certain about this show and that'll be BFMV bringing an array of bangers for a proper festival set.
Employed To Serve - Key Club LEFT - 5.15pm-5.45pm
Fresh from releasing what we firmly believe to be one of the albums of the year, Employed To Serve come in to Slam Dunk on an unbelievable wave of momentum and we're fully expecting to have our tiny minds blown to smithereens from the first note to the last for this set. Expect to hear a fair amount of tracks from Eternal Forward Motion and if you've not had the chance to fully embrace it's release just yet, use this as an opportunity to become engulfed by one of the most exciting bands in heavy music at the moment.
The Menzingers - Dickies Stage - 8.00pm-8.50pm
With the band confirming earlier on this year that they are currently midway through writing their sixth studio record, these wildly popular American Punks are definitely one of the most anticipated bands at Slam Dunk this year. The two dates across Slam Dunk are set to be their last in the UK for a little while so make sure you get down early for their set.
Hot Milk - Key Club LEFT - 1.15pm-1.45pm
Hailing from Manchester and still relatively new to the scene, emo pop punk unit Hot Milk have just released their debut EP but the stock rising behind this band already indicates that they've got a big future ahead of them. Alongside a busy festival season, Hot Milk are also heading out to some dates on the upcoming Foo Fighters tour as support this Summer - like we said, big things are brewing with this lot and you'd be silly to miss out on catching what it's all about at Slam Dunk.
Those are our top picks then, let us know who you are most looking forward to on our Twitter page - @roomthirteenmag
Slam Dunk North and South take place across 25th and 26th May respectively. There are still a limited amount of tickets still available for both. For more information on tickets and the rest of the line-up head over to https://www.slamdunkfestival.com/