Metal Mayhem Festival
Comcast Theatre
Hartford, Connecticut
August 8, 2009
Tony Pijar
The Rockstar Energy Sponsored Metal Mayhem Festival is undisputedly the most aggressive and over the top music festival in the US. This appropriately titled tour is not for the light-hearted; it is mayhem that is barely controlled, both on and off the stage. Like last year, this tour boasts some of the hottest newish hardcore/metal bands as well as some established bands. There were two outdoor stages; the Hot Topic Stage and the Jagermeister Stage, and the Rockstar main stage located in the palatial 22,000 seat Comcast Theatre. Although the fans were manically supportive this year, I’d have to say that last year’s horde and the general tone of the event was borderline intimidating, especially when Slipknot commandeered the stage.