LIVE REVIEW

Mayhem Rockstar Festival @ Glen Helen Pavilion, San Bernardino Ca.

By: Gian Erguiza - August, 2008

Photo: Roe Becera

"Southern California! It's been 2 ½ years since we've been here and we are glad to be back here after 2 ½ years!" Shouts Corey Taylor of Slipknot, "You guys are one of the biggest crowds every time and we do appreciate that." He adds. "And if you haven't been welcomed already by the other bands, Welcome to the Rockstar Mayhem Festival!"

The line-up for the Rockstar Mayhem Festival consisted of some of today's best in metal music and it was a real promising deal to see all of these talented metal bands on three stages, back-to-back; nonstop. Jagermeister and Hot Topic both had their stages and bands ripped through their sets with teeth.

It was typical, summertime San Bernardino weather, going up to about 92 degrees and keeping the humidity levels on high. The sun was a beating. With dust getting kicked up in the air, the sweat pouring down my face, and thousands of frantic people milling around, it was complete organized chaos.

Fires started to burn and the sky was dressed in black, ready for the grand finale. You don't always know which Slipknot will show up to the show but in the back of your mind, you always know that which ever one it is, it's always going to be great metal music by great musicians plus entertainment.

Slipknot started off their set with two oldies, 'Surfacing,' and 'The Blister Exists.' It was exactly unexpected and exactly what the crowd needed. They haven't lost their touch. Indeed, they sounded way better to me than 2 ½ years ago where they sounded tired and bored with their own sound. The night also introduced us to two new tracks off their fourth album, 'All Hope Is Gone.' The lead track off their highly anticipated fourth album, 'Pyschosocial,' was a definite highlight with the classic Slipknot rhythms, melodies, and aggression. Slipknot also played another new song in which, sounded even better than 'Pyschosocial.' It had a different time signature and energy than all of the past Slipknot songs, almost sounding like thrash with the Slipknot touch. It was a song to circle pit to and I'm looking forward to hearing it on the new album!

Corey and company were definitely in top form except for maybe Sid, who had ankle injuries , sustained from jumping of a pillar, two nights before. Corey even took the time out to let everybody know about the incident and to point out how dedicated he is to even be onstage and rockin' out. True. Most bands would get a replacement by then, not Slipknot. Another surprise for the evening was the song 'Prosthetics,' which Slipknot has not ever played onstage before, according to Corey. Other song highlights for the night included 'Duality,' ' Sic,' ' Heretic,' 'People=Shit,' 'Before I Forget,' and 'Disasterpiece.'

I also can't help but mention how great the lighting was; it really made the show. The pyrotechnics were also a nice addition to the already awesome stage set and added to the intensity of the show. The stage set also included three risers for the percussions and drums.

I got in at around 3:00 p.m. and shot on over to the Hot Topic and Jagermeister stages where all the action was unfolding. It didn't take long to notice that once one stage was done, the other started right away. I caught the tail end of the Red Chord's set and that was a bummer considering the fact that I just saw them at The Knitting Factory, ripping it up. But from the sound of the crowd, they were doing their job. 36 Crazyfists came on right after them on the Hot Topic stage and pulled out a great set in the 92 plus degree weather.

Walls of Jericho was the actual first band to get maybe the sum of the afternoon crowd's attention. With Candace heading up the group, she undoubtedly came to tear things up. Calling for circle pits all day, with the rest of the band rocking out, they delivered a great set, with balls.

At this moment, I took a time out and got refreshed. The heat was bearing down and was kind of making me ill. Got me some hot dogs, chips and a drink to get recharged.

I then decided to head back to catch Five Finger Death Punch. Although the sound didn't go all too well from the side stage, they were awesome. Ivan and crew really gave the crowd a good show with sing alongs and beat down rhythms. The death punch was brutally served!

The Hot Topic stage was then graced by Black Tide, who had huge crowd support, right from the start. These young guns rocked out songs from their debut album with huge hearts. I can see all the little groupie girls in the front, getting their panties wet. Underoath also played the Hot Topic stage but I don't remember much from their show. Not the biggest Underoath fan but form what I can hear, they did not sound bad at all, they actually sounded good. I guess you can judge for yourself when you catch them. Love the hair.

It was finally time for the afternoon's headliner, Machine Head. Sporting a cheech and chong style blue bandana, Rob Flynn stepped up to the mic and said, "We love you all and welcome to Mayhem!" Machine Head's set list up comprised of old songs and new ones keeping true to Machine Head's style. One of the best songs from their set list was 'Halo,' which Rob dedicated to all the marijuana smokers on the crowd. But the best song of the evening, from all the songs played the whole day, was Machine Head's cover of Iron Maiden's 'Hallowed Be Thy Name.' I was blown away. A lot of bands have done their version of the Iron Maiden classic but Machine Head's takes the cake. It was tasteful, true, and just plain old awesome! It made my day! It was magnificent. Hats off.

Walking over to the main stage, I felt a sudden sinking feeling that I might have just missed Mastodon. I did and that was a bummer. Dragonforce was already onstage. Dragonforce was like Guitar Hero on crack. Don't really dig the vocal style but the musicianship is extremely on another level. The guitar parts were what Guitar Heroes are made of, fast, melodic and mind bending. Nonetheless, I could only take so much of it.

Disturbed took forever to start. But I can understand why since they were the co-headliners of the Festival. Playing their hits one by one, they were out to please the crowd, nothing new for this band. Disturbed's set was actually longer than Slipknot for some reason or maybe just sounded longer but the crowd was getting tired and so was I. Where the hell is Slipknot. Disturbed's last song was obviously their hit song, 'Sickness.'

Slipknot was the best band of the night. They truly came out and gave us all a good kick in the butt. They came and ruled.

Good vibes, good tunes and a good time. That's the sum up of the Mayhem Festival. Till next time rockstars!

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