Mallavora unleash 'Skin' music video
Ahead of their appearance at Download Festival
Winners of Kerrang! Radio’s The Deal, Mallavora, have unleashed their phenomenal new song ‘Skin’ and its visually striking music video.
Back in February, Bristol alt-metal quartet Mallavora brushed aside the competition from 49 other bands to be crowned winners of Kerrang! Radio’s The Deal.
As part of the prize, on Saturday 15th June Mallavora will open The Avalance Stage hosted by Kerrang! Radio at Download Festival, and they’ve also recorded the blistering song ‘Skin’ via their new imprint Marshall Records.
Produced by Skindred guitarist Mikey Demus, ‘Skin’ was recorded at The Marshall Studio and, thematically, the song tackles vocalist Jessica Douek's personal journey and the challenges of navigating a world that often expects conformity.
Watch Mallavora’s ‘Skin’ music video:
“It's about feeling different and being utterly defiant about it,” says Douek. "I have always felt different. I have struggled to understand people and the world around me, and I feel there are unspoken rules I’m unaware of. As a result, I have felt alienated.”
Guitarist Larry Sobieraj adds, “The initial idea for the track came during a time where I was feeling utterly frustrated, confused and exhausted by a lifetime of feeling different. We all connected with this topic as a band, and the song evolved from there. I think the result is a true reflection of the feelings we wanted to impart, and Mikey did a great job of helping us craft the emotion into the song.”
Following in the footsteps of ANIIMALIA and Rituals, Mallavora are the third winners of The Deal – an emerging artist competition run by Kerrang! Radio in the UK in partnership with Marshall and Download Festival.
The judging panel this year included Marshall Records, Download Festival promoters, and Kerrang! Radio presenters including Loz Guest, Sophie K, and Alex Baker.
Alongside the Download Festival slot and the record deal, The Deal prize also included a two-hour zoom consultation with Funeral For A Friend drummer Ryan Richards, who also works for Future History Management (Sleep Token, Holding Absence, Those Damn Crows & more), on how to make the most of this unique opportunity.
Mallavora are Ellis James (bass), Jack Pedersen (drums), Jessica Douek (vocals) and Larry Sobieraj (guitar).
The very first Download Festival in photos:
The Main Stage at Download Festival 2003
The very first Download Festival took place on the hallowed turf of Donington Park – home of the legendary Monsters of Rock – on Saturday 31st May to Sunday 1st June 2003.
Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003
Two-times Monsters of Rock headliners Iron Maiden topped the bill on the opening night of Download 2003.
Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003
Iron Maiden's performance at the inaugural Download Festival was part of their Give Me Ed... 'til I'm Dead Tour.
Deftones at Download Festival 2003
Other main stage performers on the Saturday were Marilyn Manson, Deftones (pictured), Ministry, InMe, Murderdolls, Amen, Funeral for a Friend, Stampin' Ground, Shadows Fall and Murder One.
Download Festival 2003 crowd
Years before the advent smartphones, the Download Festival 2003 faithful attended the event armed with disposable cameras.
Ministry at Download Festival 2003
Ministry's All Jourgenson sings into his understated microphone stand on the Saturday at Download Festival 2003.
HIM at Download Festival 2003
Ville Valo of Finnish gothic rockers HIM during the band's Saturday set on the Scuzz Stage. The second stage also boasted performances from A, Reel Big Fish, Taproot, Sepultura, Reef, SOiL, The Hellacopters, SikTh, 3 Colours Red, From Autumn To Ashes, Queen Adreena, Violent Delight, Arch Enemy, and Chimaria.
Download Festival 2003 crowd
Download Festival's name has a two meanings. The word 'Download' was a murky word at the time thanks to Napster and illegal downloading. Download was also seen as a Monsters of Rock for the 21st century and the internet would provide connectivity with its audience. Tickets had a download code on them so fans could get tracks by some of the bands performing.
Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003
Late rock legend Chris Cornell on stage with Audioslave during the band's main stage headline set on Sunday night at Download Festival 2003. It was Audioslave's only appearance at Download, however Chris Cornell would return with Soundgarden and as a solo artist.
Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003
Audioslave replaced original headliners Limp Bizkit on the line-up after Fred Durst and co. cancelled.
Keith Flint at Download Festival 2003
The late-great Keith Flint on stage with his fleeting solo band Flint on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003. The Prodigy headlined the second stage at Download Festival 2006 and 2009 before stepping up as main stage headliners in 2012.
Stone Sour's Corey Taylor at Download Festival 2003
Wearing a Union Jacket emblazoned with the words 'Donington' in marker pen, Corey Taylor played the very first Download Festival with Stone Sour. Slipknot have headlined Download five times since the festival's inception, and Corey has also performed as a solo artist over the past 21 years.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
A truly landmark Download Festival moment, Metallica played a secret set on The Scuzz Stage on the Sunday afternoon.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
Metallica performed a 10-song set on the rammed-to-the-rafters stage, including a clutch of tracks from their soon-to-be-released album 'St Anger'.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
Also on The Scuzz Stage bill alongside Metallica on Sunday were NOFX, Boysetsfire, The Bouncing Souls, Strung Out, Thrice, Spunge, TSOL, The Real McKenzies, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Brand New, Instruction, Beatsteaks, Randy and Fabulous Disaster.
The Darkness' Justin Hawkins at Download Festival 2003
Justin Hawkins backstage before The Darkness' performance on The Main Stage. Audioslave, Zwan, Flint, Apocalyptica, Less Than Jake, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Evanescence, Mudvayne, Spineshank, One Minute Silence, Raging Speedhorn and Instruction also played on the second day.
Billy Corgan at Download Festival 2003
Billy Corgan on stage with Zwan on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003