“Fuck me, it feels good to be home!” Sam Carter proclaims, pausing to bask in a well-earned moment of pride. Over the last two decades, Architects have steadily risen up through the ranks of the British metalcore scene - and Download crowds have eagerly supported their growth.
Honestly, headlining Download Festival's Apex Stage feels long overdue, but we got here eventually. And, from the off, all signs point to a thing of triumph. Under the golden glow of the late afternoon sun, pits whirl for Whiplash and Black Lungs. The area is thoroughly rammed (the jury is out as to how many stragglers have wandered over for a mid-set break from Guns N Roses), the blegh-centric smack spiking in ferocity during the “bitter and then some!” hit of Gravedigger.
