About Us

About Arkdown

Arkdown are a five-piece metal band from the East Midlands, UK, combining modern metalcore, death metal and hardcore into a sound built around crushing riffs, groove-heavy breakdowns, aggression and powerful melodic hooks.

Formed in 2016, Arkdown quickly established themselves within the UK heavy scene through independent releases and relentless live shows. Early material including In-Torment and debut EP The Calling introduced the band’s blend of technical metalcore and death metal, while an expanding live reputation saw Arkdown share stages with the likes of Fit For An Autopsy, Decapitated, Make Them Suffer, Oceans Ate Alaska and Loathe.

The standalone single Miasmic marked another step forward for the band, while touring took Arkdown beyond the UK with shows across Ireland and Portugal, alongside their first headline appearance in Switzerland.

In 2020, Arkdown released Terra Phasma, a seven-track record showcasing a darker, more technical and increasingly melodic side of the band. Supported by Hold Tight PR, the release received strong media attention, with Harbinger later being named among BBC Introducing Sheffield's Top 50 Songs of 2021.

The Life Death Dust EP followed in 2023, ultimately bringing the first era of Arkdown to a close. Following significant line-up changes, the future of the band became uncertain. Rather than call time, Arkdown rebuilt.

By the end of 2025 a new line-up was complete, and 2026 marked the beginning of Arkdown's second chapter.

Returning to the stage with a heavier, more aggressive sound, Arkdown entered Nottingham's Metal 2 The Masses competition and progressed through the heats and semi-final before winning the Grand Final against a field of 36 bands. The victory earned the band a place at Bloodstock Open Air 2026, where Arkdown performed on the New Blood Stage.

Musically, the rebuilt Arkdown push further into hardcore while retaining the death metal weight, modern metalcore precision and melodic character that have defined the band since its earliest releases. Their new material is darker, heavier and considerably more direct, built around punishing groove, huge breakdowns and an increasingly uncompromising live energy.

The next chapter will be captured on the five-track EP In Absence of Mercy, representing the sound of a band that has been rebuilt rather than restarted.

Members

Ben Joshua – Vocals
Mike King – Guitar
Mike Walker – Guitar
Ed Morley – Bass
Joe Mason – Drums