A busy summer beckons for MK metallers Heart of a Coward, and among the tasty live dates ahead, the quintet will join Korn, Motorhead and Skindred at Spain's Resurrection Fest.
But you don't need to be booking a flight over there – HOAC will be wowing closer to home next week.
Following a triumphant date at the 2013 Download Festival, they've have been invited back – this time as main stage players.
Heart of a Coward will be opening the main stage of the metal-fest on Saturday, June 13.
Our boys will kick off proceedings on a day that sees Faith No More and Muse headline.
It's a big moment for the band – as drummer Noddy told Total MK...
How special is it to be playing at Download – the British home of rock and metal?
It was a completely unreal prospect for us. We played the Pepsi Max stage before and that was absolutely electric. But to be asked back this year to open the main stage is a big tick on the life achievement list for all of us, and a real milestone of how far we have come as a band.
Personally, I've been attending Download as a punter since I was 16 years old, and always had dreams of performing there. When it becomes a reality, it's just unreal
What can the Download faithful expect from your set?
Basically, it's going to kick off. We're going to cram as much into 30 minutes as possible, which means making some tough decisions about what songs to play, but we're definitely getting all the crowd pleasers in there. We're expecting extreme levels of adrenaline and energy, so who knows what the hell will happen. You'll have to wait and see
How will you spend the rest of your time on site?
There will be the obligatory fountain of champagne consumed immediately after the show, followed by many rounds of whiskey. You don't get to be backstage at Download too often, so no doubt we will be on the lookout for our musical heroes and other friends who are playing, and hopefully share a drink or two!
If the after-party is anything like last time, things will get very messy
Anyone else you are keen to check out?
Well, my hot picks at the moment are Slipknot, Clutch, Faith No More, Parkway Drive, Marilyn Manson, Enter Shikari, Lamb of God, Every Time I Die, Northlane and no doubt many more!
Tell us about your best – and worst – festival experiences
We got to meet some of our favourite bands last time we were at Download, which was an amazing experience.
I do have horrible memories though of one year when there was a huge rain storm and I was soaked, ankle deep in mud, trying to set up my tent whilst trying to stop it blowing away in the wind. I'm hoping never to relive that again in my life!
And what three festival essentials should Download ticket-holders be sure to pack before heading to the site?
Whiskey, baby wipes, sun glasses. You need to be drunk, smell good and look cool.
To book tickets and for more Download details visit http://downloadfestival.co.uk/
