Karl Walter / Nick Laham, Getty Images The UK’s legendary Download Festival has just announced two of the headlining acts for their 2013 bill. Iron Maiden will headline the second day of Download (June 15) to bring their ‘Maiden England’ tour to over 100,000 rabid fans. Rammstein are also confirmed for the fest, and will headline the closing June 16 date. Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson offered his excitement for once again headlining the Donington Park fest. “We’re absolutely over the moon to be headlining Donington again,” says Dickinson. “The idea of returning exactly 25 years later with a show inspired by that same 1988 “Seventh Son” Tour, was too good an opportunity to be missed! And, thanks to modern technology, we’ve been able to update and improve on the original production.” Dickinson continues, “We will be bringing a huge new lightshow, stage set, various incarnations of Eddie, plenty of pyro and all kinds of other exciting stuff for the fans. And of course treating the fans to lots of their favourite songs from that period! We’ve had many great times at Donington and there is always a wonderful mix of bands and a really wild crowd who love their metal, all of which makes for a memorable show and fantastic party atmosphere!” Rammstein offered a shorter, yet entertaining quote on closing out the fest with their unique brand of German metal. “It’s only a festival…not a moon landing,” Rammstein comments. Download 2013 will open their gates from June 14-16 at Donington Park for what is already sure to be a memorable outing. The festival organizers have not yet announced who will be headlining the first day, or what other acts will be added to the lineup. Tickets for the 2013 Download Festival will be available beginning Sept. 28. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/iron-maiden-bruce-dickinson-auctioning-off-co-pilot-spot-in-world-record-attempt/” title=”Bruce Dickinson Auctions Co-Pilot Spot for Charity” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Whoever said that good things come in threes was obviously referring to the pack of trios that provide the core lineup of the ‘Triple Threat’ Tour. Headlined by the trio Seether with support by fellow three-piece acts Sick Puppies and Kyng , there’s a lot to love about the number three. Of course, opening quintet Young Guns broke the ‘three’ chain, but more of that later. Seether have quietly churned out five albums over the past decade on Wind-Up Records with their grunge infused brand of rock. Their massive collection of hits seem to sneak up on you and It’s not until you experience their live set that you realize how deep their catalog runs and the range of success they’ve had. Throughout their rock ‘n’ roll tenure they’ve impacted the genre with singles ranging from ‘Gasoline’ from 2002’s ‘Disclaimer’ all the way through to ‘Country Song’ from the trio’s latest release, 2011’s ‘Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray’ – both of which made it into the set list. Seether fans generally know what’s in store when the band hits the stage but with the ‘Triple Threat’ tour kicking off last night the band debuted their new stage set up for the headlining run. Seether have always sported imaginative sets and their latest is no different, but we encourage fans to check it out for themselves! We can tell you this, bassist Dale Stewart hit the stage sporting a silver facemask and drummer John Humphrey’s drum kit was flanked by swanky chandeliers while the more elusive Shaun Morgan settled in behind his microphone with guitar in hand, but the rest, well, tune in to check it out. Their meaty set flew by quickly so don’t blink or it will be over before you know it. Sick Puppies have stepped away from the live stage for a bit to concentrate on their upcoming disc but they dusted off the road rust for one of the best sets of the evening providing a high-energy, interactive romp that showed what the Aussie rockers are all about. With bassist Emma Anzai’s thumping basslines to Mark Goodwin’s rhythmic lead on drums and lead vocalist, guitarist, and all around Sick Puppies ring-leader Shimon Moore instructing the audience to bounce, clap, and get to know the people around them a little better because after all “this is a sweaty rock show,” their set clocked in at 45 minutes of intense rock. Highlights of the Sick Puppies set included a first listen to a new song, at least a short instrumental piece of it. (Fans who pre-ordered the new disc were entered to win a chance to hear the whole new album with the band backstage post show!), a moving cover of the Tears For Fears tune ‘Mad World,’ and their single ‘Maybe’ from their last disc ‘Tri-Polar.’ Throughout the set Moore’s vocals were complemented beautifully by Anzai’s female touch, just another element of the band that sets them apart from the rest. Kyng provided a short but powerful set with their “new age vintage” mix of classic rock meets classic metal with influences of the 90s era of grunge thrown in for good measure – paying homage to the best of the past and molding it into their own unique sound. Their no-nonsense approach to their set allowed for the maximum allotted time for head-banging and getting caught in a groove. Their disc ‘Trampled Sun’ came out in September of last year and the trio has been riding high since. Music fans who got to the House of Blues early met Wind-Up Record’s latest signing, the UK rockers in Young Guns. The youthful group showed a lot of promise and gratitude making the most of their opportunity to play in front of the large Boston crowd. Their set was highlighted by the title track off of their disc, ‘Bones.’ Four bands over the course of one night provided a ton of rock n’ roll goodness and all with their own spin on things making for an eclectic evening of music. The ‘Triple Threat’ tour rages on through the end of October so hit it up when it rolls into your town. Check out our exclusive photos from the show below. Seether: Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Sick Puppies: Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Kyng: Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Young Guns: Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Anthrax have been on a hot streak after reuniting with singer Joey Belladonna in 2010. The band has since toured around the world, with high-profile slots on the Big Four concerts and the 2012 Mayhem Festival, along with releasing the critically acclaimed 2011 album ‘Worship Music.’ With the current lineup remaining strong, guitarist Scott Ian has declared, “This will be the only version of Anthrax until there is no Anthrax.” Scott Ian recently spoke with the Georgia Straight about the return of Joey Belladonna and his strongest traits as a frontman. “There’s a certain maniacal energy that Joey has onstage,” says Ian, “and that’s his thing. I mean, if I just compare him to our contemporaries in the Big Four, between James [Hetfield] and Dave Mustaine and Tom Araya you’ve got three frontmen that are all attached to the microphone—but Joey’s all over the place onstage. He’s a maniac, and I always felt like that was one of the things that gave us the kick in the ass we needed way back when to be able to break through and make it, so to speak.” Ian also spoke about how if the current lineup ever changes, Anthrax will cease to exist. “I’ve gone on record saying this will be the only version of Anthrax until there is no Anthrax,” claims Ian. “That’s how I feel, absolutely, in my heart. I don’t see why we would do anything different. This band sounds so great; we made a great record. And I’m super-excited about the future of this band creatively.” Anthrax are currently on the latest leg of their North American tour with fellow thrash legends Testament and Death Angel. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-scott-ian-to-record-comedy-metal-album-with-funnyman-brian-posehn/” title=”Scott Ian to Record Comedy Album with Brian Posehn” align=”center”]