TAKING DAWN
Growing up in Las Vegas the glitz and glam helped shaped the band into what it is today – a rock n’ roll time bomb with melodic hooks and heavy riffs. They are currently preparing to release their Roadrunner Records debut album Time To Burn.

UNEARTH
Metalcore band Unearth were formed in Massachusetts in 1998 and since have released four studio albums with their last in 2008. With stints on Sounds of The Underground Tour, Ozzfest and support slots with the likes of Slipknot and Killswitch Engage as well as two performances at Download Festival - Unearth are ready to return to the UK for lucky number three. 

LAWNMOWER DETH
English thrash metal band Lawnmower Deth formed in the late 1980s and after splitting reunited in 2008 to support Welsh metalcore band Bullet For My Valentine for a one off gig in November at Alexandra Palace. Back by popular demand this will be the bands second Download performance with their first last year when they took to the Tuborg Stage underneath headliners Anvil and Architects.

WHITECHAPEL
American deathcore outfit Whitechapel formed in 2006 and since signing with Metal Blade Records have racked up some impressive tours including supports with the likes of Darkest Hour, Black Dahlia Murder, fellow Downloaders Unearth and Rise To Remain. The band are currently in the studio recording their fifth album set for a Summer release. As well as their first Download appearance they will take to the road for their first appearance on Warped Tour this Summer.

AUGUST BURNS RED
Only a few years ago, Lancaster, PA’s August Burns Red were just another young band trying to make their way in the modern metal scene. The band then released their first full-length album Messengers in 2007 through Solid State Records and a new front-runner in the modern metal scene emerged. This will be the bands second Download appearance. 

RATT
American glam metal band formed in San Diego had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band have been recognised as instrumental in the formation of the early 80s LA hard rock and glam metal scene. They have sold an estimated 11 million records in the US while worldwide album sales are approximated at over 20 million. Their 7th studio album, Infestation is due to be released this month. This will be their second performance at Donington with their first in 1985 at Monsters of Rock.

THE BLACKOUT
The Blackout began life in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil in 2006. With just one EP release under their belt the sextet were invited by their countrymen and 2008 Download headliners Lostprophets to be the main support on the band’s UK tour. The Blackout played to thousands of people each night and their fanbase expanded by the second. They released their first album in 2007 on Fierce Panda and toured all over the world in support of the release. Within the next year the band signed to Epitaph and released their sophomore record The Best In Town. This will be the band’s second time at the Download Festival – although they played twice last year, making it three actual performances!

WE ARE THE FALLEN
We Are The Fallen began forming in 2003 when former Evanescence members Ben Moody, John LeCompt and Rocky Gray decided a change needed to be made. Fronted by American Idol contestant Carly Smithson the band officially debuted on 22 June in 2009. In October 2009 the band signed with Universal Republic in preparation for the release of a full-length debut album. They are scheduled to play their first major concert at King’s College in London at the end of this month before beginning a 28-city concert tour with HIM.  This will be the bands first Download performance and definitely not their last.

HELLYEAH
This supergroup originated in 2001 with former Pantera, Mudvayne members along with Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul. They embarked on their first tour in May 2007 and made a very memorable appearance at Download Festival. Their second album is scheduled for a 31 May release just in time for their second Download performance.

Y&T
Originally known as Yesterday & Today, this American hard rock heavy metal band formed in 1974. The band released two studio albums on London Records in the 70s before shortening their name to Y&T and releasing several albums on A&M Records starting in 1981. They have sold over 4 million albums worldwide to date and this will be their second time to play at Donington with the first in 1984 at Monsters of Rock.

JOB FOR A COWBOY
American death metal band formed in 2003. They released their first EP Doom in 2005 and later that year signed with Metal Blade Records. Their official debut album Genesis was released in 2007 reaching number 54 in the Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week. They have played several festivals including Sounds of the Underground, Mayhem Festival and Download in 2007 and 2008.

RISE TO REMAIN
Created on the streets of London in 2008, Rise To Remain are a five piece metal band who have begun to make their mark on the scene. Having toured with bands such as Trivium, Five Finger Death Punch, Shadows Fall and making their first Download appearance in 2008 the band are no strangers to the live circuit. They have recently emerged with their debut release showcasing their multi-textured sound which is due to be released this year.

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