Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival • DTE Energy Music Theatre • August 2, 2009

By Jamie Griffin

            Summer festivals have been a long standing tradition for concert goers.   What started with the Monterey Pop festival and Woodstock has continued on with modern day fests like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Ozzfest.  The last few years have seen changes in the festival dynamic with performances that would usually tour numerous cities confining themselves to one area.  Since the phenomenon has started, more concert organizers are finding ways to give fans more bang for their buck.  The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival is no exception, packed with enough metal action to melt the most loyal of the genres’ fans, Mayhem Fest is a great show to see the luminaries in the industry as well as its rising stars.  Add in some Metal Mulisha Motocross and you have a day of action packed fun!

2009s outing was definitely no exception.  Featuring headliners Marilyn Manson and Slayer, pretty much all metal sub genres were covered.  The day showcased many up and comers like Job for a Cowboy, God Forbid and All That Remains.  Polish black metal group Behemoth showcased music off their new release Evangelion and had the crowd roaring and ready for the main stage theatrics.  Not to be outdone was Trivium, a group very familiar with the festival scene, having played Ozzfest, Family Values, Sounds of the Underground and numerous European shows as well.  Also on the bill was Cannibal Corpse.  George  “Corpse-grinder”  Fisher led the parish of death metal fans seemingly to hell and back.

 After all the smaller stages wound down the main stage lit up with the theatrics of Ohio’s Mushroomhead.  This band is not to be taken lightly!  Donning evil porcelain Doll masks the band launched into songs off their XIII release and had the crowd’s attention right off the bat.  Dueling singers Waylon and Jeffery Nothing played lyrical peek a boo with each other while Stitch and Smot pounded it out on dueling drums up front.  If you have never seen this band live believe me they are a show stealer.  I had the chance to sit and talk with Stitch before the show and he told me that not only is the band about to head out on the Hed to Head tour with Hed P.E. but  they are also performing at the annual gathering of the Juggalos and recording a new album slated for a February  release.

After Mushroomhead amazed the crowd it was Time for Killswitch Engage to show the crowd how it’s done.  Using lots of fire and wearing matching KSE tuxedo t-shirts, the band plowed their way through hits like Last Serenade, Rose of Sharyn and End of Heartache.  Not to be forgotten the band also threw in their tribute to the creator of the Devil horns himself by playing their cover of Dio’s Holy Diver.   Singer Howard Jones let the music do the talking while guitarist Adam D. addressed the crown wearing his signature KSE shirt and a cape. 

Then came time for the powerhouses.  Slayer proved to be a great headliner playing a perfect balance of tracks off albums both old and new.  From War Ensemble and Seasons in the Abyss to Jihad and Angel of Death, Slayer met the approval of fans both old and new.  Ending their set with Raining Blood the band proved that they have had a 20 + year career for a reason.   From old Legends to new, Marilyn Manson and his blend of macabre metal took to the stage last. 

Opening his set with We’re from America off his current release the High End of Low,  the world’s most chameleon shock rocker proved that he still has what it takes to leave the audience scratching their head in wonderment.  From snorting coke on stage to taking oxygen, he kept you guessing. Did he or Didn’t he?  What’s next?  Spooky versions of The Dope Show and Sweet Dreams (are made of this) made the older Manson fans happy and perhaps took concert goers back to a time when shows were quite different.  Remember when you would go to a Marilyn Manson show and there would be protesters outside or a mosh pit as big as the floor?  I do!  It was a little over ten years ago that Manson caused a commotion right in Saginaw with his performance at the then Saginaw Civic Center. 

Manson puts on a show every bit as controversial as he did in the 90’s.  Re-joined by guitarist Twiggy Ramirez last year it is evident that these two have a creative chemistry.  It was very good to see them sharing a stage once again.  Manson closed with his hit Beautiful People, and though it seemed a bit off in places it was a great day to see metal mayhem .    

 

all photos are by Kay McEntee