Within Temptation and Cavalera Conspiracy for Download

Within Temptation and Simple Plan are the latest bands to have confirmed their appearance at this year's Kerrang!-sponsored Download Festival.

Other bands set to join the three-dayer - which takes place at Donington Park on June 13, 14 and 15 - include Cavalera Conspiracy, The Dillinger Escape Plan and cello-wielding Finns Apocalyptica.

"The line-up at Download is always great, and it's something that we always want to be a part of," says Within Temptation vocalist Sharon den Adel. "It's one of those special festivals that you have to treasure when you're a band."

For den Adel, it will be a chance to draw a veil over last year's appearance which was fraught with technical difficulties.

"So many things didn't go the way that they were supposed to," she explains. "We had some technical problems that meant we started much later than we were supposed to, but even though we only ended up playing for around 15 minutes, there was still thousands of people going out of their minds. The crowd was so enthusiastic and that was really amazing to see."

Simple Plan drummer Chuck Comeau says the Montreal pop-punks can't wait to take part in this year's festival, especially when it comes to seeing Judas Priest and Kiss.

"It'll be awesome to see those bands at a festival like this," smiles Comeau. "Seeing that sea of people, and all jumping up and down at the same time or pounding their fists or whatever. I love it!"

Cavalera Conspiracy - featuring former Sepultura brothers Max and Igor - will make their UK debut at the festival, marking the first show the pair have played together on English soil since their acrimonious split after a show at London's Brixton Academy on December 16, 1996.

"I love Download!" says frontman Max Cavalera. "The last one with Soulfly was fucking great, and I think now it's even more exciting because it's me and Igor together in England, because of the last concert we played together in Sepultura. UK fans should be pretty fired up to see the Cavalera Conspiracy!"

The Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman can't promise whether vocalist Greg Puciato will repeat antics at Reading 2002, where he defecated onto a towel and threw it into the crowd.

"I guess it depends what he eats!" laughs Weinman. "It was a situation that we felt we really needed to take advantage of. We knew there'd be thousands upon thousands of people that had never even heard of us watching that day, and we just wanted to give them something to keep them interested.

"We're really looking forward it," he adds. "I'm really looking forward to seeing Judas Priest. If I can stand at the side and watch Halford cruise onstage with his big-ass motorcycle I'll be a very happy guy."

The Kerrang!-sponsored Download festival will be headlined by: Kiss, The Offspring and Lostprophets.

The full list of other bands on the bill so far is as follows: 36 Crazy Fists, A Day To Remember, Alesana, Alter Bridge, Apocalyptica, Bleeding Through, Cavalera Conspiracy, Children Of Bodom, Chris Cornell, Coheed & Cambria, Disturbed, HIM, Incubus, In Flames, Job For A Cowboy, Jonathan Davis, Jimmy Eat World, Judas Priest, Kid Rock, Motorhead, Rise Against, Simple Plan, The Black Dahlia Murder, Throwdown, The Devil Wears Prada, The Dillinger Escape, The Subways and Within Temptation.

The Download festival takes place the weekend of June 13 to June 15. Tickets are on sale now. Prices are as follows: a full weekend ticket: £130, standard camping: £20, camper van: £40, family zone camping: £20, lockers: £11, parking £10 in advance or £15 on the day. There will be a variety of ticket packages available to buy, including the RIP packages (a VIP package) from £315. For Club or VIP Experience packages, please call 020 7009 3484 to discuss your requirements.

Disabled customers can call 0121 767 9729 to discuss accessibility arrangements. Please note, disabled customers will be provided with one free ticket for their helper, where required. Should additional helper tickets be required, please call the disabled access ticket line on 0121 767 9729 or email access@downloadfestival.co.uk

For more details and up-to-the-minute news, please visit www.downloadfestival.co.uk.