Pitchshifter - the legendary British metallers will be headlining ROCKOFF Festival this year. Formed in 1989, through a few line-up changes and two incarnations, the band have released eight studio albums and numerous singles & EPs. Pitchshifter have played live in twenty five countries, with the likes of Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iggy Pop, Fear Factory, The Offspring, Bad Religion, Deftones, Quicksand, Junkie XL, Fugazi, Incubus, Ministry, Staind, Pantera and many more.
In the first era, they pioneered and helped push the boundaries of British industrial metal, however, The second era saw the band changing their sound significantly, now playing a fusion of rock, metal and dance music. The Pitchshifter "eye logo" is a well recognised sign in rock and metal music nowadays. Pitchshifter are a truly accomplished British band and this shows in their professionalism and their outstanding live show.
Breed 77 - Breed 77 comes from the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. In 1998, Kerrang! readers voted Breed 77 the 'Best Unsigned Band'. In 1999, they won both the Metal Hammer and Kerrang! awards for the best new band. Then in 2001 they signed a five album deal with Albert Productions the legendary Australian publisher of AC/DC. Breed 77 have toured consistently over the years, and have supported bands such as Black Sabbath, Machine Head, Danzig, Ill Niño and Napalm Death. Now as a headlining act in their own right are Download Festival favourites and have built up a loyal following.
Breed 77's following showed when their single "The River" got to no.39 in the UK singles chart. A tough feat. for any heavy rock band these days. Their live show is always of the highest quality and the interesting anglo-hispanic hybrid shows in their music.
Evile - Evile are a thrash metal band from Huddersfield. Their debut album, "Enter the Grave," was released worldwide in 2007 by Earache Records. The band's first reviews included a hail by Kerrang! as "Carrying the genre's whole 'revival' on their shoulders." By February of 2008, Evile would take part in "Big 4" band Megadeth's European 'Tour of Duty' as their main support, which also included the UK leg of Gigantour opening for American deathcore band Job for a Cowboy as well as Megadeth.
In April of 2008, the band embarked on a European tour alongside thrash band Exodus. April also saw Evile nominated for "Incoming! Best Band" at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards 2008. Evile's revival of Thrash is not to be missed!
EXIT TEN - These young lads are certainly causing a stir in the metal scene this year. The release of their new album, "Remember The Day" is a proud marker for the "new wave of British Metalcore" with Kerrang giving them KKKK (out of 5). This followed their EP, "This World They'll Drown", which was recorded with Mark Williams of Sitkh. We met the boys in Reading last year and have put them on at various events since, including last years Rockoff Festival at the Dome in London. A fantastically tight band, topped off by front-man Ryan's incredible charismatic performances and superb vocals. A seriously talented band and certainly one to watch when they head the main stage at Rockoff Festival on the 27th July.
This Is Menace - is a British metalcore supergroup involving members from no less than 19 bands including: Killing Joke, Funeral for a Friend, Hundred Reasons, Sikth, Fightstar, Pitchshifter, Earthtone9, Carcass, Napalm Death, Send More Paramedics, Therapy?, Hiding Place, Amen, Murder One, Charger, The Ghost of a Thousand, New Model Army, 36 Crazyfists.
A collaborative project spearheaded by Pitchshifter members bassist Mark Clayden and drummer Jason Bowld, This Is Menace, was announced in late 2004 as "Leviathonic, guitar driven music". This new venture featured a whole host of guest musicians. The group's debut album, No End in Sight, was released in 2005 and their follow-up, The Scene Is Dead, in September 2007.
With a seriously heavy sound that can differ from song to song, depending on their vocalist, This Is Menace is a brilliant concept that manifests itself beautifully to produce some seriously heavy shit!
Marshall Law - Regarded by many as one of the finest exponents of the Power Metal genre the UK has to offer, Marshall Law have enjoyed a seven album career spanning nearly two decades. Known for their relentless touring and quality studio offerings, the band built up a dedicated and loyal worldwide fan-base during the early nineties. The debut album ‘Marshall Law’ has been widely described as a cult classic. The follow-up ‘Power Game’ went on to sell more than 75,000 copies in Japan. The third release, 'Metal Detector' once more pulled in worthy reviews with increased sales in Germany and Japan. 'Warning from History' was recorded in early 1999 and saw the band's first release in South America, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Main stage appearances at major European festivals, such as the legendary Wacken festival in Germany, endorsed the view of the critics that Marshall Law remain a true force to be reckoned with. In 2006 Marshall Law were invited to appear on the main stage at the prestigious Bloodstock UK festival and took time off from the studio to deliver an epic performance, receiving rave reviews from the fans and press. The album ‘Razorhead’ is the result of three years writing and recording and is a dark and intense journey that undoubtedly contains the bands best material to date.
