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After a successful second year, with a near sellout crowd at DTE Energy Music Theatre, the Rockstar Mayhem Tour continued on and provided a far heavier lineup than last year. But instead of giving you a blow by blow account of every band on the lineup, it’s probably better if we answer some burning questions left in the wake of this year’s edition of Mayhem. So, here we go….
1) Who is most ready to headline a summer shed show on their own (besides Slayer and Marilyn Manson)? Answer: Killswitch Engage definitely had the crowd going with their anthematic tracks “The End of Heartache” and “A Bid Farewell”, they definitely showed how big metal could very well get in the future. On a side note, did lead singer Howard Jones know what state he was in? An OSU hat on stage in Michigan? Really? One small blemish on a great performance.
2) After Killswitch, who could find themselves on a bigger stage? Answer: All That Remains, who has convinced this reviewer after performances on stages at Rock on the Range and Mayhem that they might have it as well. Coming from the same vein as Killswitch, lead singer Phil Labonte is commanding more of a stage presence over time and the songs keep getting catchier over time.
3) Was Behemoth the scariest thing at Mayhem? Answer: No, Behemoth looked evil but if you really wanted evil- the Mayhem show (the Norwegian black metal band, not the tour) back in June was as pure evil as you can get. Mushroomhead’s new masks were scarier and more sadistic looking than anything Behemoth did on stage.
4) What was up with the dude in the gorilla suit during the Black Dahlia Murder’s set? Answer: Hell if I know, but it was entertaining as hell. The fans gave the hometown boys all they had, and the guy in the gorilla suit became the unofficial mascot for the band, and provided to be the best hype man of the day.
5) Has Marilyn Manson lost some of his luster? Answer: Somewhat. Manson was best when he was pissing off security guards at DTE, as well as a lot of the general public. Manson’s last two records have been ho-hum and his stage shows have suffered as well. I don’t believe Manson’s fiery on stage persona is gone- he’s still got that. But just bringing back Twiggy Ramirez isn’t going to bring back the feeling of “Antichrist Superstar” again- the new music has to have that same venom.
6) Has Mayhem become a worthy follow-up to OzzFest? Answer: Yes and No. Mayhem has become a great outlet for metal and to show some fan favorites and new bands that are coming up. Keeping ticket prices low and access to the bands is Mayhem’s strongest suit- something that Ozzfest had a hard time doing. But Mayhem lacks the danger element of the first few years of Ozzfest- the sod fights, the fires on the lawn. Most traveling festivals are just an excuse for people to spend 8 dollars a beer and load up on all the free corporate stuff. But the music is what it is all about and for metal fans, Mayhem is a great place to find your fix.
Comments
Excellent article!
Marilyn Mansons is the LAST ROCKSTAR. I think that for everyone who is always expecting the same thing from someone who has made lots of great music(like other metal bands who all sound the same) wont like Manson, because he evolves. I love his new sound its very David Bowie. Perhaps whats really going on here is the journalist is to lazy to listen to the album so he just wrote what he saw a few other journalist write? See alot of journalist dont want to listen to every new album that comes out, and who can blame them? That doesnt mean you need to run your mouth on something you barely understand.
In response to Dope Show- I think you're right about most of what you said- perhaps the being too lazy to listen to the album part. I've seen Manson 7-8 times over the years, and I guess I am more of a fan of albums like "Smells Like Children" and "Holy Wood", and the shows carried that same sort of intensity. I do agree that there is a lot of Bowie in this new record (I have listened to it), but it lacks the fire and shock value of older material. Is Marilyn Manson the last rockstar- probably, I do agree with that.
But "The High End of Low" and the show I saw at Mayhem wasn't one of his better shows.
Howard Jones is no fool. He did that on purpose! I gave him that hat as a gift at the Cleveland Mayhem signing on 7/31/09. He was born & raised in Columbus, Ohio, like myself...Howard is a good little Buckeye ;]
I was impressed with Killswitch Engage's performance as well. I think that Mayhem has surpassed Ozzfest in many areas.
For Linz: So you're who we have to blame for that- thanks! LOL. Just kidding. I remembered how much of a Buckeye fan he is from a show after the Michigan vs. OSU, #1 vs. #2 game in 2006. The show was in Toledo, and he mentioned OSU and the crowd wanted to pummel him. Adam D. saved him with some joke about one of the guy's 13 year old sister and that was that.
LMAO! That's an awesome story!! I hadn't heard that before but it makes sense that Howard would say that!! Glad you're not *too* made at me ;)
...and you can always count on Adam D to "save the day" !!!
Hey Linz, no worries- it was quite humorous to meet the person who gave him the hat.
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