Tropic Gold are one of the great rising bands in modern heavy music and after two outstanding performances at Download Festival 2026 it was great to sit down with them to talk about their incredible weekend.

In this interview, we discuss the emotion of playing to a packed Download crowd, the years of hard work that led to that moment, why building a genuine connection with fans matters so much, the story behind their collaboration with Harpy on "Witch House," and what keeps them motivated as the band continues to grow. It's an honest conversation about perseverance, live music, and why earning every step of the journey makes the biggest moments even more rewarding.

Recorded on site at Download Festival 2026.

Be sure to keep up with  @tropic  via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TropicGold

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/25My38UxRbqlegmRn61zQP

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tropicgoldmusic/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tropicgoldmusic

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TropicGold/

* Website: https://tropicgold.co/

Check them out live! ➡ https://tropicgold.co/pages/tour-dates

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👉🏻 Get any music reviewed here: https://www.steveog.com

It was wonderful to catch up with Dinosaur Pile-Up backstage at Download Festival 2026 ahead of their Avalanche Stage performance.

In this interview we chat about why live music doesn't need to be perfect, the songs from "I've Felt Better" that have grown the most on stage, why genuine crowd connection matters more than flawless performances, and how the band have finally found the sound they've always wanted to make.

Recorded on site at Download Festival 2026.

Be sure to keep up with  @dinosaurpileup  via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dinosaurpileup

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4MQsNhP9u10g1xuxaJBF0S

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpuofficial/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dpuofficial

* X: https://x.com/dinosaurpileup

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dinosaurpileup/

* LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/dpuofficial

* Website: https://www.dinosaurpileup.com/

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🔓 Get behind the scenes of interviews by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveogrock

Boundaries are one of the most exciting bands in modern metalcore, so it was a real pleasure to sit down with them at Download Festival 2026 to talk about the creative process behind their latest music.

In this interview, we dive into the songwriting behind "Only Endless," why every song has a specific role on an album, balancing soaring melodies with crushing heaviness, adapting festival sets for new audiences, and the fascinating story behind the band's decision to release an alternate mix after listening to fan feedback. It's an honest conversation about creativity, experimentation, and staying true to your artistic vision while continuing to evolve.

Recorded on site at Download Festival 2026.

Be sure to keep up with @BoundariesCT via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boundariesct

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7a29ko2je7GUMrbmwn4t3I

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boundariesct/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boundariesct

* X: https://x.com/boundariesct

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boundariesct

* Website: https://www.boundariesct.com/

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👉🏻 Get any music reviewed here: https://www.steveog.com

P.O.D. have been a force to be reckoned with for more than three decades, so it was a real privilege to sit down with Sonny after their huge Download Festival 2026 performance.

In this interview, we talk about the band's longevity, why they've never chased trends, the importance of authenticity, the story behind songs like "Alive," the impact of getting on The Matrix Reloaded soundtrack, and what still drives P.O.D. to create new music after 35 years. Sonny also shares his thoughts on the modern music industry and why building a lasting legacy has always mattered more than fame.

Recorded on site at Download Festival 2026.

Be sure to keep up with  @pod  via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@POD

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KO6G41BBLTDNYOLefWTMU

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pod/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialpod

* X: https://x.com/POD

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POD

* Website: https://payableondeath.com/

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🔓 Get behind the scenes of interviews by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveogrock

Thornhill have become one of the most exciting bands in modern metal, and after watching them open the Apex Stage at Download Festival 2026 I caught up with Jacob Charlton to talk about everything that's happening behind the scenes.

In this interview, we discuss the band's huge Download performance, the mindset behind their live shows, swapping sets with Ocean Grove, and what they've learned from touring with some of rock and metal's biggest names.

Recorded on site at Download Festival 2026.

Be sure to keep up with Thornhill via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thornhillmelb

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dE5audbkV3o5cKxvM7lBD

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thornhillmelb/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thornhillmelb

* X: https://x.com/thornhillmelb

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thornhillmelb

🔓 Get behind the scenes of interviews by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveogrock

A Day To Remember have been one of the defining bands of modern rock and metal for over two decades and one of my all time favourite bands, so it was a real pleasure to chat with them backstage at Download Festival 2026.

In this interview we discuss their incredible journey from playing barfly and club venues to headlining major festivals, how they continue to evolve their sound after 20 years, working with Bilmuri, producing unforgettable live shows, and why they're still driven by the same love of making music that started it all.

Recorded on site at Download Festival 2026.

Be sure to keep up with  @adaytoremember  via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADayToRemember

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4NiJW4q9ichVqL1aUsgGAN

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adtr/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adaytoremember

* X: https://x.com/adtr

🔓 Get behind the scenes of interviews by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveogrock

Spitting Glass are one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from the UK heavy music scene and they managed to book their Download Festival debut before releasing any music.

In this interview, Joe and Dave discuss the origins of the band, the decision to book shows before putting out any songs, and why friendship, creativity, and having fun remain at the heart of everything they're building.

Recorded on site at Download Festival 2026.

Be sure to keep up with Spitting Glass via these platforms:

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0CXwaPUVaNtZyDoulC6cId

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spittingglassuk

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spittingglasstv

* LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/spittingglass

Sleeping With Sirens are releasing a new album "An Ending In Itself" in 2026 and I had some time to chat with vocalist Kellin Quinn about how that record was shaped and discuss some specific songwriting details.

Be sure to keep up with Sleeping With Sirens via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sleepingwithsirens

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3N8Hy6xQnQv1F1XCiyGQqA?si=8I3HDvMtRfSC4dfUjDX-IQ

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepingwithsirens/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepingwithsirens* X: https://x.com/SWStheband

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sleepingwithsirens/

🔓 Get behind the scenes of interviews by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveogrock

Caught up with Unpeople at Slam Dunk Festival 2026 to talk about their explosive rise, chaotic live shows, supporting Metallica, writing the brilliant new single "Clouds", and how they feel about becoming one of the UK’s most exciting modern rock bands.

Be sure to keep up with Unpeople via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareunpeople

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareunpeople

* Website: https://www.weareunpeople.com

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3kdhK2tWlX9p7Q1ZWyQh6I

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareunpeople

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareunpeople

🔓 Get behind the scenes of interviews by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveogrock

Stand Atlantic joined me at Slam Dunk Festival 2026 to talk about their brilliant new single "Velcro", why modern rock music can feel "soulless", bringing humanity back into recordings, and how they write their huge catchy choruses.

Be sure to keep up with Saosin via these platforms:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHoYnwpzqQT3EEnWi7eXr0g

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standatlantic

* Website: https://standatlantic.com

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1W2Fv4YUnjC8hx2qQd6fGh

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StandAtlantic

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@standatlantic

🔓 Get behind the scenes of interviews by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveogrock