Hard rock band The Darkness back after 5 year break

Justin Hawkins(R) with his brother Dan, of British band The Darkness, performs at the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon in this May 27, 2006 file photo.[Photo/Agencies]

LONDON  – British hard rock band The Darkness is reforming after a five-year break to perform at the Download festival on June 10 as the warm-up act for Def Leppard, they announced on their website on Tuesday.

Before the event, the quartet from eastern England which topped the British album chart with its debut "Permission to Land" in 2003 will work on a third album. Permission to Land also scooped the group three BRIT awards in 2004.

Their second album, "One Way Ticket to Hell ... and Back" did not match the success of their debut, and lead singer Justin Hawkins left the band in 2006 leading to its demise.

The re-formed band will include Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain and Ed Graham.

"The idea of playing Download terrifies us," Justin Hawkins said. "We played in an early slot on the main stage in 2003 and we were frightened then. It's reassuring to know that nothing has changed!

"On a serious note, it's the most rockest of festivals and the perfect place for us to begin the next phase of our journey."

Also confirmed for the Download festival, staged at Donington Park from June 10-12, are Alice Cooper, Linkin Park and System of a Down.