Another week has passed, and we’re another week closer to being in the sacred grounds of Donnington Park, home of high octane racing, and high octane music. Download really is the Mecca of rock music here in the UK. Everyone has their favourites that they’re looking forwards to seeing, but we’re here to point you towards some, maybe, little known gems, down on the smaller stages. Let’s find you your next favourite, band shall we?
Firstly a question; who are one of the biggest and best metalcore outfits to come out from Australia? Parkway Drive of course. I don’t think many will dispute that, and hailing from the same town, Byron Bay, New South Wales, comes In Hearts Wake, a band who have been criminally missing from the UK recently. They’ve only really appeared here and there, most notably having supported The Amity Affliction last September. Although, with a new album coming out this May, and a crushing metalcore sound, there may not be a third stage past In Hearts Wake’s early festival slot, so if you want to check out the third stage on Saturday, best get there early.
In Hearts Wake formed in 2006, and since haven’t seen much in the way of change, with three of the original 5 members still remaining. That sort of line-up continuity is often needed in the early years to keep some form of identity, and not becoming the next Attack Attack!, with new members popping up every five minutes, often becoming some kind of fucked up anti-super group. You can feel that cohesion in their music, and in their live shows, with everything often becoming just like a group of friends performing together instead of just another set, or just another day in the office.
The docile, more melodic vocals of Kyle Erich, coupled with the almost brutal screams and growls of Jake Taylor, may not be too different to what other bands in the genre are doing, but it’s how they work together that make the difference. The heavier beat of the music, not often leaving while Kyle is singing, with double bass pedals constantly being introduced, but there’s just another level of brutality which comes with Jake’s parts that make it one all out assault on the ears.
With both Parkway Drive and In Hearts Wake playing on the Saturday, we are hoping that there’s the opportunity for Winston to perform his part on one their debut album Divination’s best track ‘Departure’. That would be the icing on the cake of what is going to be a serious wake-up call and set your day on track to being absolutely incredible. We’re excited to see what In Hearts Wake’s new album Skydancer will end up like, which is meant to be their masculine answer to Earthwalker’s feminine touch. Hopefully there’ll be something new and interesting to get our teeth stuck on the road up to Donnington. You can catch In Hearts Wake on the third stage on Saturday 13th June.
Release to own: Divination
Tracks to listen to: ‘Departure’ ‘Earthwalker’ ‘Afterglow’
