The Darkness announce three warm up shows prior to Download

The Darkness have announced three warm up shows ahead of their appearance at this year's Download Festival.

The 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' rockers will play the intimate shows in their home country ahead of a string of festival dates across Europe this summer.

The group announced they were reforming in March after brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins called an end to their feud, caused by singer Justin's problems with drink and drugs, which led to him leave the group in 2006.

The brothers have since been joined in the studio by original bandmates, bassist Frankie Poullain and drummer Ed Graham to work on a third album.

Writing about the recording on Twitter, Justin said: "Cafe Studios in Lowestoft: The Choice of Champions. Ace timez in StudioLand making TD's album 3."

The group have now completed the album, the follow up to 2005's 'One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back' and are itching to play live, with Justin even having a custom made red white and blue set of leather chaps and a waistcoat airbrushed like an American flag which he is expected to unveil at the band's live shows.

Tickets for the bands low key UK shows at Norwich Waterfront on June 5, in Leamington Spa on June 6 and London on June 8 are on sale now to holders of tickets to Download Festival and the band will then play the festival when it takes place on June 10.

Dates in Spain, Sweden, Austria, Norway and Finland then follow.

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