There’ve been times that Slam Dunk looked like it may have shot its final 3-pointer, what with the date changes close to four times across the pandemic. But the determined promoters kept at it and managed to get the festival, together with a still fantastic line-up to the masses of Leeds and Hatfield. I’m off to the North date, and start by navigating the intricate shuttle bus queuing system in the centre of Leeds (have I just entered Alton towers?). Pleasingly I can see loads of people are ensuring they get there for opening at Slam Dunk 2021. It’s no surprise really as for many this will be their first chance to savour live music again since the lockdowns of the pandemic. Everyone is in good spirits and the rock-metal camaraderie is still fresh and alive despite the break. I sit on the bus contemplating the long day of reviewing ahead – there is to be no discernible breaks as I’m chiefly reviewing the two stages that run back-to-back non-stop all day long in the Jägermeister Tent. But first things first…a breakfast burger while we wait for the gates to open. People flood in as they open – eager, excited and filled with anticipation. First things first...get my press accreditation pass and a pint!

Blood Youth open proceedings with energetic intentions. This is the first of the final two gigs with Kaya Tarsus as frontman and they mean business. This is new-wave nu-metal at it’s best. Taking the percussive bass of Korn, mixing it with the brutal guitars of Slipknot, and the pounding kick drum of Soulfly. There’s that unmistakeable bounce and groove to their songs. ‘Spineless’ is the standout storming track that clearly wakes the tent up completely. It’s going to be interesting to see how Blood Youth move forward with Harry Rule on vocals from their September tour onwards, but this is a fitting and emotional farewell to Kaya from their Northern fans.

Hacktivist bound onto the opposite stage and unleash slick and brutal tech-metal punk grime on the crowd. They provide tonnes of energy with their first show in 22 months and attack the set like a caged animal being released into the wild. Being able to play the songs finally this line up recorded is noticeably better than last time at the Bread Shed with older tracks. The songs from new album “Hyperdialect” have allowed the newer members to finally spread their wings musically and live, with technical yet groove-laden guitar work stabbing and darting in liaison with the intricate backing track and syncopated drums. Jot Maxi in particular is obviously loving performing live again, but all the band are energetic and vibrant.

Loathe immediately come leaping onto stage with energy and force. Long having been favourites at Rockflesh Towers they never fail to impress with their impressive mix of brutally heavy tech-metal (think Monuments after they’d been told very bad news) and atmospheric, sweeping Deftones. I’ll go out on a limb and suggest they need to pen a single hit with an unbeatable hook in order to breakthrough and make it big, but there’s no doubting their talent and professionalism. They’re always well received and today is no different even though the sound is a tad mushy outside of the pit for them.

Welsh hardcore punk metal outfit Brutality Will Prevail provide zero respite from the consistently brutal aural onslaught – and it’s delightful. Brutal is in fact the best term for these guys, with their dirty overdriven grunge guitar sound and vicious shouted vocals. There’s definitely a more considered, and dare I say groove-metal, element to BWP and they are reminiscent of a heavier Cancer Bats. A dedicated crowd is now warming to the occasion as Louis Gauthier prowls around the stage and the day is moving along nicely.

Deez Nuts are one of my favourite bands on record, and getting to see them live is a treat for sure. Frontman JJ Peters is a cheeky, mischievous character on stage and his charismatic delivery and interaction with the crowd is infectious. Their rap-tinged hardcore punk has all the elements you need – driving guitar riffs to bounce to and anthemic choruses to sing along to. Despite not having played for nearly 3 years, and a required line-up change which the band and crowd emotionally acknowledge, they deliver a fantastic high-paced, highlights filled set with aplomb.

 Another of my favourite recorded and live bands, Comeback Kid take to the stage with me hanging over the front barrier. Jetting across from Canada has been no small feat, and like most of the bands today they seem to be taking the opportunity to make up for lost time. Every member of the band enthusiastically pours their complete effort into every beat. CBK’s high octane melodic hardcore is a delight, especially when frontman Andrew Neufeld is in full flow. All the hardcore punk passion and verve you’d expect is there in each CBK song, but they add that element of variety into the song-writing that allows for distinct and memorably catchy songs that you end up singing for hours later. In fact the crowd are singing at the top of their voices to most of the tunes, and the roof is almost lifted of the tent for ‘Wasted Arrows’ and ‘Wake the Dead’. Simply awesome.

It seems like every single girl in the tent is singing along to every single word of every single Funeral For A Friend song. I mean, that’s not great as it overpowers what the seminal emo band are doing on stage, because the tent is packed…the biggest crowd in the tent of the day. Now I’ve been a FFAF fan since the first EP, but for me today they just lack the punch and power compared to all the other bands today. They are a bit…pedestrian. They are however a brilliant band and as always they still deliver some moments of magic to the packed tent.

Skindred were made for this kind of festival with their unique mix of metal, alt rock and ragga as it’s so diverse in its style that it means everyone who wants to party is always catered for. That’s what Slam Dunk has become known for – bands that cross genres. The band are welcomed by their classic AC/DC ‘Thunderstruck’ followed by ‘Imperial March’ entrance. The enigmatic Benji Webbe strides on stage in a glittery red jacket and they slam straight into the set with the crowd immediately bouncing to the party feel. Everyone is singing along by the time we get to ‘Doom Riff’, and crowd participation is always a major part of the Skindred experience. Finishing-up with ’Warning’, the crowd know what to do as Newport Helicopters fill the tent (that’s t-shirts being swung around their heads for those not in the know).

Bury Tomorrow have had plenty happen during the pandemic, including the departure of clean vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jason Cameron. Little is known about his replacement(s) until they take to stage with opener ‘Choke’. Red lights blaze across the platform and heavy kick drum drives in. We see that in fact there is a new rhythm guitarist and the addition of a keyboardist…who is also doing clean vocals. It later transpires that these are the permanent future of the band in Ed Hartwell (rhythm guitar) and Tom Prendergast (keyboards & clean vocals). There are some obvious nerves from Tom with his vocals early on, but as his confidence grows he settles into the massive boots left to fill. The biggest testament to BT is that this was otherwise a usual outstanding performance. Daniel Winter-Bates is filled with enthusiasm to be back out there, and whilst he does note how strange it feels to be up there with the new line-up, the guys deliver their melodic catchy modern metal with panache. It’d be wrong to label them metalcore with the connotations that brings with it as the technical guitar work, ferocious vocals and mature song-writing is so much more. The new songs also have more electronic elements (hence Tom’s other role) and this just adds to the metal tapestry. As they close with ‘Cannibals’, the future looks very bright for these south coast titans.

I make my way to the main Rock Scene stage for headliners Don Broco. They open to flashing lights, lasers, dry ice billowing out. It is honestly a fantastic light show. They start with ‘Pretty’ (my favourite song) and immediately the great powerful live mix they use is apparent. People often find it hard to understand the heavy-rock-pop-80’s vibe of Don Broco on record, but live they are a very different beast with guitars much more to the fore which actually allows the whole band to breathe. The minimalistic yet refined guitar work and stage presence of Simon Delaney is sublime, as is the funky Duran Duran-esque basslines from Tom Doyle. Matt Donnelly provides dynamic drumming alongside perfect backing vocals (sometimes lead in fact), and in Rob Damiani they have a charismatic frontman, oozing stage craft and a uniquely warm and awesome voice. They all own the stage in their own way and draw you into watching them in their individual own right as well as together as a band. They are truly a band crossing genres, and much like Skindred they are simply a great rock band to party to – especially by mixing old and brand new songs, and even getting guest vocals out from Awsten Knight of Waterparks and Loz Taylor from While She Sleeps. Like I said it’s all about having a party at Slam Dunk, and this was the perfect close to a triumphant festival return.