The 2012 Mayhem Festival had an absolutely incredible lineup. It was chocked full of amazing bands, both old school metal and new. It had metal giants, like Slayer, and up and comers, like Asking Alexandria. It was just all in all a great line-up. In addition, the headliner was Slipknot, who has the best live show of any band I’ve ever seen. And it’s not really close. So, needless to say, I was extremely excited for this show. So excited, that I paid a $160 for a pit ticket off of stub hub so that I could be up front for the main stage shows.
To say that this show delivered would be the understatement of the decade. I was completely blown away, to the point that I honestly had chills for 4 hours after the show. HOWEVER, I try very hard to remain unbiased on this blog, so, rather than rambling on and sounding like a fan boy, I’ll just let the pictures do the talking. See, thats the thing about Slipknot. If you haven’t seen it….you just won’t understand. I included quick thoughts on the other shows at this festival as well. But mostly, after the jump, is just a shit load of Slipknot pictures. But hey, ya can’t go wrong with those, right. 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Asking Alexandria playing on the side stage. Their show was decent, and I like their songs, but they just didn’t quite all have it there. I predict that three months later, I will see them again in Cincinnati and they will be much improved.
Proof that I was backstage. I won a VIP experience from Rockstar, and was able to go backstage and meet a few people and watch a show from back here. In addition, while getting thrown out for being ON the back of the stage when I shouldn’t have been, I interrupted Corey Taylor in the middle of a conversation, and apologized, and told him that I was just a HUGE fan. He went out of his way to stand up, stop his conversation, walk over to me and shake my hand, and thank me for the support and tell me that he hoped I enjoyed the show. Best. Moment. Ever.
As I Lay Dying – another GREAT set. These guys kind of blew me away at this show. Well done. Cauterize, which is their newest single, was AWESOME live.
Maybe I’m too young, or maybe he’s like 80, but Motorhead was very marginal to me. Meh.
In contrast to Motorhead, Slayer is a band that I would’t consider one of my favorites, but this show was REALLY good. I remember being so impressed with this band’s pure skill. So glad I got to see them up close.
On to the big dogs. When this curtain dropped, I screamed like a little girl. I have the video to prove it.
Get it Clown!!
Go Go Gadget PYRO!!!!
Can you cram more bad-ass into one picture?
The Blister Exists. My favorite part of their live show. Well, other than Spit It Out…and in this case, when Sid jumped in to the crowd and got thrown around for about 5 minutes. Awesome.
My friend Cory’s dream job.
Thanking the fans and celebrating Paul’s life. RIP #2. And thank you Slipknot, for an absolutely amazing show. One that I will never forget.
Finally, I’d be remiss if i didn’t thank my amazing wife for letting me go to this show when she was extremely pregnant and ready to pop at any minute. I promised myself that I’d check in with her once per hour and make sure that I didn’t need to leave, and I think I came pretty close to that. 6 days later, the next generation of metal head was born – our amazing son Luke. Can’t wait to take him to shows. The age at which this is appropriate is still under discussion between me and my wife. 🙂
Cheers!!
“I’m a slave, and I am a master. No restraints, and unchecked collectors. I exist through my need – to self oblige. She is something in me, that I despise.”
