Words by Tom Donno & Marta Tavares
Bleed From Within - Apex Stage - 12:00pm
Given the fact that the past two times Bleed From Within have played the festival they bit struck by technical issues and more, their placing on the Main Stage this year feels like a very well deserved olive branch being extended. They're on the charge at the moment. Whilst the midday slot does them absolutely no favours at all, we're certain they're going to cause an almighty racket, and that's without Rob and Romesh barking down the microphone. Their latest record Zenith will feature prominently in the short time they have for sure, and we're glad as some of those tracks sound built for the live arena.
Stand-out tracks: In Place Of Your Halo, Immortal Desire, The End Of All We Know
Power Trip - Apex Stage - 13:10pm
Easily one of the most exciting Metal bands of the recent era, Power Trip continue their re-emergence with new vocalist Seth Gilmore as best they can following the untimely death of one of the scene's very best, Riley Gale. There hasn't been any new music just yet as the band continue to re-find their feet but judging by recent reports at live shows, they continue to be a ferocious force to be reckoned with. Despite the early time, expect a big crowd for this one with plenty of pits springing up all over the place.
Stand-out tracks: Nightmare Logic, Executioner's Tax (Swing Of The Axe), Hornet's Nest
Jinjer - Apex Stage - 14:25pm
Following the release of their new record Duel in February, the Ukrainian powerhouses Jinjer are back to deliver their characteristic levels of heaviness ahead of the kings of the trade Meshuggah immediately after them. Chug chug chugging their way through the Sunday afternoon, Tatiana and co. could very well stamp a claim as a potential highlight of the festival.
Stand-out tracks: Pisces, Teacher, Teacher, Rogue
Meshuggah - Apex Stage - 15:40pm
There are none heavier. By some distance one of the best live bands in all of heavy music, Meshuggah will absolutely engulf the eardrums of anyone even remotely close to that Main Stage come Friday afternoon. Whilst the idea of seeing them in daylight does feel odd (their lighting guy is so good he is famously an unofficial member of the band), it's something they've faced up to and overcome before at this festival to unbelievably positive results. They're of such a high calibre live with such a legendary status that it feels borderline offensive to see where they're positioned - we certainly wouldn't want to follow this Swedish tsunami of sound.
Stand-out tracks: Demiurge, Bleed, The Hurt That Finds You First
Jerry Cantrell - Opus Stage - 16:25pm
Speaking of legends, Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains fame released his fourth solo record I Want Blood to very positive acclaim last year and more recently has leant his skills to the soundtrack for popular film Sinners, so we're very much looking forward to hearing some of that material over on the second stage come Sunday afternoon. Jerry is a crowd-pleaser - as recent shows suggest he also dots in some Alice In Chains classics too which'll be very welcome indeed. One of the best to do it.
Stand-out tracks: Vilified, In Moonlight, Cut You In
Airbourne - Opus Stage - 17:35pm
Do you like beer, motorbikes and tales about the breaking speed limit? Would you like to watch AC/DC on steroids? Airbourne is coming from Australia to deliver all of the above to your ears with the added momentum of releasing a new track Gutsy and more new music on the horizon. We are expecting a wild, loud and unapologetically old-school rock 'n roll show!
Stand-out tracks: Gutsy, Runnin' Wild, Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
Turbonegro - Avalanche Stage - 18:00pm
If not for the "deathpunk" music as the Norwegian band describe themselves, head down to check out what on-stage gimmicks they came up with for us in Donington. Their lyrics, their posture, their outfits, promise to provoke and cause havoc despite falling in to apparent irrelevance in recent times. Sprung back out of nowhere, we're not sure what Turbonegro we're going to get in 2025.
Stand-out tracks: Hurry Up & Die, All My Friends Are Dead, Get It On
Lorna Shore - 18:45pm - Opus Stage
Hailing from New Jersey, Lorna Shore are viewed with a lot of high regard in the Deathcore scene... and for good reason. Vocalist Will Ramos is a hurricane himself and that's before you add the immense technical force of the band behind him. The band are heading towards the release of their fifth studio record I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me due out in September so we'll likely be treated to a new track or two through the course of their set. You won't find a band dropping harder breakdowns all weekend - do not miss this.
Stand-out tracks: To The Hellfire, Into The Earth, Of The Abyss
Fit For An Autopsy - 20:15pm - Dogtooth Stage
Fit for an Autopsy is a deathcore six-piece from Jersey that will blow your mind with their brutal raw power wrapped in eerie grooves and crushing riffs. Don't be fooled, this isn't just music to breaks necks to, they bring serious lyrical muscle to the scene, we mean razor-sharp meaningful lyrics. They are going heavy and deep in every sense. Heavy music, elevated. Keep an eye out for them and bring your neck brace.
Stand-out tracks: Far From Heaven, Hostage, Warfare
Korn - Apex Stage - 21:25pm
Finally. Finally, Download have pulled the trigger and bumped Korn up in to a headlining slot. Long overdue and arguably a mis-step by the festival organisers, but alas, here we are in 2025 and the Nu-Metal pioneers are getting their rightful bite of the cherry. Their more recent few performances at Download have been in a sub-headline role and on both occasions people were left walking away scratching their heads why they weren't atop the pile as the level of sheer quality and fun delivered reached major heights. This will be wall to wall to wall to wall bangers from start to finish. From Blind to Get The Life to Freak On A Leash to Here To Stay (we could do this for a long time). The band are also on blistering form at the moment, whilst newer music is lacking it hasn't stopped them ploughing through some big-time shows in recent times including a headline show in Gunnersbury Park last Summer.
This will be a heavy, chaotic, fun and brilliant party to end all parties as the perfect sign-off for another year.
If you were still on the fence but now you've fallen in to the Donington grounds, pick up a ticket right here - https://downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets/