The world’s greatest festival is back – yes, it’s time for our annual pilgrimage to Donington Park for Download 2018 . With the summer’s finest billing coming to the spiritual home of rock, it promises to be a weekend never to forget – and that’s before we even consider what one particular hellraiser has in store. Marilyn Manson kicks off our essential guide to the weekend ahead, in one of his most illuminating interviews ever…

If that’s not enough Download goodness for ya, we also take a look at the most important questions the festival will answer this weekend in the ultimate preview – from Guns N’ Roses potentially delivering one of the greatest headline sets ever, to Avenged Sevenfold confirming their status among metal’s elite, and finding out what life after Black Sabbath has in store for Ozzy Osbourne.

Elsewhere in the mag…

For your exclusive art print this week, Kerrang! have teamed up with the exceptional Burrito Breath for an awesome piece of Slam Dunk 2018 artwork – head on over to someguydesign.com to see more! We’ve also got a huuuuge four-page review from the Hatfield leg of Slam Dunk’s biggest, baddest party to date.

On top of all that, we have a wonderful catch-up with the mighty Dave Mustaine, Culture Abuse explain why everything is going to be alright, Jason Aalon Butler of THE FEVER 333 rallies for more gun control measures in the States, and Iron Maiden kick off their spectacular Legacy Of The Beast tour. In the reviews section, meanwhile, Mike Shinoda goes on a journey to heal with the powerful Post Traumatic, while U.S. pop-punk heroes State Champs keep hold of their crown.

We’ve also got a Download Festival poster special for you, featuring Rage Against The Machine, Linkin Park, Slipknot, My Chemical Romance and AC/DC!

The new issue of Kerrang! is available anywhere in the world when you order online through Newsstand. But for UK residents, it hits the shops on Wednesday, June 6 from all good newsagents.