Pure
Mayhem
Rockstar's
Energy Drink first annual MAYHEM FESTIVAL 2008 dominates
a night of metal music on July 15 in Fresno.
Guitar
riffing excitement filled the air as bands of MACHINE HEAD,
DISTURBED, SLIPKNOT and other named acts hit the
stage for a show first of it's kind to hit the Central Valley.
Local resident from around the city attended this much hyped event
which took place at the Savemart Super Center. Screaming fans
rallied outside yelling their favorite group all the while waiting
for an evening filled with mosh pitting delights.
Various bands
ranging from melodic, power to thrash metal were scheduled to
perform on three different stages consisting of the Jagermeister,
Hot Topic and Main headliner artists. Two of the main stage sets
consisted of five bands each blaring music that rippled outside
the open festival, some of which belted out musical intensity
despite the summer heat. Audiences from all musical genres eagerly
welcomed each band giving each performance a standing ovation,
but much can be said for each band displayed lively enthusiasm
which the crowd responded well to.
Taking in
this metal extravaganza personally, this was the time to drink
not only the sights and sounds of metal for one night, but to
be apart of the sole experience for myself as a fan. Arriving
partially late for press activities I was able to see the welcoming
of the main stage headliners perform indoors, ::
MASTODON
:: Giving Fresno a taste of their own blend of progressive
sludge metal, this fast rising act dished heavy tunes with an
electric vibe rising the audience intensity. Vocalist Brann Dailer
and the rest of the group kicked off their set with a few past
tunes to their latest stuff guaranteed a successful win over.
Second in line to hit the stage was England's own power metal
outfit :: DRAGONFORCE
::, whose odd introduction with whaling guitar leads,
high 80's like metal vocals to pounding rhythms enlightened a
refreshing blast from the metal past.
Setlist Mastodon: The Wolf Is Loose, Crystal Skull,
Capillarian Crest, Colony of Birchmen, Megalodon, Circle Cysquatch,
Aqua Dementia, Iron Tusk, March Of The Fire Ants
Setlist Dragonforce: Revolution Deathsquad, Operation
Ground and Pound, Heroes Of Our Time, Valley Of The Damned, Through
The Fire And The Flames
Third anticipated
group :: DISTURBED
:: whose interesting entrance from frontman David Drairman
resembled Silence of the Lamb's Hannibal Lector attire was brought
out onstage strapped up then unleashed the set with Perfect Insanity.
Musical fury of lunatic proportions started the mosh pit blazing
into full swing while the band cranked over an hour of tunes driving
the fans into a crazed frenzy. Final act consisting of nine bizarre
masked gents known as :: SLIPKNOT
:: engulfed the entire center generating chunky guitar
riffs, odd tempo drumming along with screaming death like vocals
this band was the true show stopper of the evening. Riling the
crowd with some of their best songs and lively stage antics this
group brought the show to it's knees making sure this night was
a memorable one.
Setlist Disturbed: Perfect Insanity, Liberate, Just
Stop, Voices, Indestructible, Prayer, Stupify, Divide, Land of
Confusion, The Game, Inside The Fire, Stricken, Down With The
Sickness
Setlist Slipknot: Intro, Surfacing, The Blister Exists,
Get This, Before I Forget, Disasterpeice, Psychsocial, The Heretic
Anthem, Prosthetics, Duality
Plenty of
non-stopping action from the latest bands in today's metal music,
this night was one that proved Fresno can roll with metal elite's
festivals of pure mayhem.