Its that time of year again, and Download Festival is almost upon us. I dont imagine many of you need much by way of an introduction to Download, but for those who require the down low on Download; its the UKs premiere rock and metal festival, having been host to many of the biggest and best in both genres, and their subgenres, alongside nurturing numerous up and comers. Moshing into its eleventh year, Download hasnt even hit its teens yet, but has seen more debauchery, moshpits, breakdowns, frenetic solos and unwashed hair than most this year will be no different. This will actually be my first visit to that there Donington Park, and seeing as Im back into my Things You Should Be Listening To Stride, I thought Id honour the occasion by pointing any lucky attendees in the direction of some bands they might not otherwise have seen; or for those not attending the perfect chance to check out some new bands because, as I said last time, new music is good for your brain. I wont state the obvious you shouldnt need to be told how awesome headliners Slipknot, Iron Maiden and Rammsteinn are; or Queens of the Stone Age, especially with their amazing new album; the legendary Motorhead; nu-metal alumni Limp Bizkit, Korn and Papa Roach; emo titatns Jimmy Eat World; Springsteen fuelled indie upstarts The Gaslight Anthem; purveyors of melancholy Katatonia; the ever stoned Down; kings of woahhh Thirty Seconds To Mars; Canadian riff-busters Cancer Bats. Well, you get the picture (oh, and I mentioned Hang The B**tard previously). So, what weve got here is hopefully something completely off your radar, or on the outskirts of it that youre requiring an encouraging nudge in the direction of. Enjoy. See you in the pit.