They say the Devil has all the best tunes, but that’s not strictly true as Behemoth, the greatest Black Metal band on the planet, have a few as well. Or maybe it’s all the same thing?

Kahmel Farahani and Dany Jones
15th June 2019: 5.00pm

Adam Darski, aka Nergal, has never directly confirmed that Behemoth are a true Satanic band but if it is all just theatre, the man deserves an academy award because it’s hard to fathom how an atmosphere like this can be created without it being for real.

Just like they did at Bloodstock three years ago, Behemoth conducted a huge Messe Noire in a field in middle England on a weekend afternoon and an astonishing performance of biblical proportions by the Polish Black Lords left people utterly shocked.

Passionate and precise, raw and compelling, righteous and extremely powerful, the show has been stolen so far today. Gabriel has blown his trumpets over Download and the kingdom and the glory belong to Behemoth.

Here’s some more shots and Tweets to peruse while we go and say three hundred Hail Mary’s and down a couple of pints of holy water.

Behemoth were the most metal thing ever at #Download19! Now the party starts with the always awesome @Skindredmusic #DL2019

— rob johnstone (@ROBJPHAT) June 15, 2019

Behemoth just blew my mind.

— James (@somniumvivere) June 15, 2019

In a muddy field eating Percy Pigs while watching Behemoth WBU?

— KW (@CThorpeFox86) June 15, 2019

Lovebites really killed it on the Dogtooth Stage at the same time Behemoth were on the Main Stage. They made a massive impression at Bloodstock last year after being promoted at short notice to the Main Stage and repeated the exercise here again today.

The tent was so busy that our reporting team had serious problems getting in, while over on the Zippo Stage Epica drew a tremendous crowd and with a stellar sound and production, the honour of playing Download expressd by frontlady Simone Simons was deservedly reciprocated.

Lovebites have been the best band I’ve seen all weekend, bring them back next year you cowards! #DownloadFest2019 pic.twitter.com/2vG1RpzHjq

— Joey Cotton (@I_Like_Hatz) June 15, 2019

Back on the Main Stage, Skindred have changed the mood from Behemoth completely and brought the party to Donington Park, and also brought the rain back with them, but that is not deterring the thousands wanting to indulge in the ‘Newport helicopter’.

Shortly after Skindred walked on to a hip hop remix of the ‘Star Wars’ theme, Reef frontman Gary Stringer joined the band on stage to sing ‘Pressure’ and the now soggy crowd are loving it.

It is absolutely pissing it down and skindred are like EVERYONE TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT AND HELICOPTER IT and fuck me the entire crowd is going for it

— SIN (@SoFullOfSht) June 15, 2019

We declared Trivium’s ‘Rain’ as our Download anthem yesterday and we might get to hear it live very soon as Trivium are next up on the Main Stage with Three Days Grace all set to hit the Zippo Stage very shortly.

Our Download coverage so far is right here and you can expect the constant updates to continue throughout the rest of the weekend.

DOWNLOAD 2019 STAGE TIMES

Saturday 15th June
Main Stage
Slipknot – 9.10pm
Die Antwoord – 6.40pm
Trivium – 5pm

Zippo Encore Stage
Halestorm – 7.45pm
Stone Temple Pilots – 6.20pm
Three Days Grace – 5.10pm

The Avalanche Stage hosted by Kerrang! Radio
Simple Creatures – 8.40pm
The Wonder Years – 7.25pm
nothing,nowhere. – 6.10pm
Trash Boat – 5.05pm

The Dogtooth Stage
Carcass – 7.40pm
Batushka – 6.35pm
Intervals – 5.35pm

Sunday 16th June
Main Stage
Tool – 9.25pm
The Smashing Pumpkins – 7.10pm
Lamb Of God – 5.20pm
Amon Amarth – 3.50pm
Godsmack – 2.30pm
Underoath – 1.10pm
I Prevail – 12pm
Cane Hill – 11am

Zippo Encore Stage
Slayer – 8.45pm
Dream Theater – 7pm
Anthrax – 5.35pm
Beartooth – 4.20pm
State Champs – 3.10pm
Starset – 2.05pm
Badflower – 1pm
Dinosaur Pile-Up – 12pm
Like A Storm – 11am

The Avalanche Stage hosted by Kerrang! Radio
Enter Shikari – 8.20pm
Fever 333 – 7.10pm
Palaye Royale – 6pm
The Amity Affliction – 5pm
Our Last Night – 4pm
Black Peaks – 3pm
Heart Of A Coward – 2pm
Allusinlove – 1pm
Black Futures – 12pm
RedHook – 11am

The Dogtooth Stage
Municipal Waste – 7.50pm
Whitechapel – 6.50pm
coldrain – 5.50pm
Alcest – 4.50pm
Toska – 4pm
Crystal Lake – 3.10pm
Kim Jennett – 2.20pm
Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics – 1.30pm
Blurred Vision – 12.40pm
Wolf Jaw – 11.50am
Lost In Stereo – 11am

Download takes place at Donington Park, which is just off the M1 and right next to East Midlands Airport on Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June 2019.