Until the end?

The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2015 (http://rockstarmayhemfest.com) has completed it's summer run. In my personal opinion, ending in Dallas, Tx was a kick ass move. With MainStage performances by King Diamond (who at one point in time resided in Dallas) and HELLYEAH (from Dallas as well)!, it seemed to be the perfect spot to end it...all!?

Scorching hot weather and scorching hot metal make for a perfect combination in Texas. I mean really!? Who the hell else would not only hang outside for 10 hrs in the Texas summer heat AND enjoy it. Metalhead's, that's who.

This year, interestingly enough, only brought one side stage and then the MainStage. The Victory stage proudly pounded out act after act starting promptly at 1:20 and cruising all the way until about 7. With the opening act (the Coldcock Whiskey Band winner) hailing from Dallas proving it would be a memorable day and event.

Although I don't have the name of said local band (someone please educate me), it wasn't so much about the music as it was a helluva performance. With uniforms, a giant one eye monster, a robot, and  an epic battle to the death, the opening of Mayhem 2015 in Dallas kicked ass.

Shattered Sun (https://www.facebook.com/ShatteredSunBand/timeline) hails from Alice (Corpus Christi), Texas. Even though they were the first band up that was billed on the tour, they came to steal the show. I will say that I had some favorites to watch for, but DAMN, these guys killed it. The performance was guttural, metal, and in your face. Like literally, off the stage, on the rail, and in the crowds face. By the end of the evening - barring the main stage performances of HELLYEAH, King Diamond, and Slayer - My compadre that joined me for Mayhem told me that Shattered Sun was the one band he will take away as being the best band he saw all day. Lucky me they are local Texas boys. Hopefully I will get the chance to see them again before they kick off on some other national tour.

Sworn In hit the Victory Stage next. I hate to talk shit about any band. I always try to pull something from their performance to tell you about, give you a reason to see them. Can't do that here. It was kind of a lame ass performance. Just BLAH! Musically and stage wise they were their performing, live, but it wasn't entertaining. The whole set kind of felt like they were just done and ready to go home.

Sister Sin (http://www.sistersin.com) on the other hand! WHOA! they came out to kick ass. They WERE exciting! The music was  just as bad ass as they were entertaining to watch. With a few songs down, they wasted no time jumping into the "Fight song". That whipped the hot crowd into a frenzy and had everybody yelling "Fuck you!" This is what I wanted to see, this is what the crowd wanted to feel and Sister Sin delivered.

Jungle Rot (http://www.jungle-rot.com/) was up next. Where as Sister Sin was kind of that sing along, theme song metal, Jungle Rot was just that kick you in your face metal. I did see an interview from Jungle Rot on DaveTeeVee (http://t.co/ua0TZ7UJMr) and they were very excited to be on the tour. With only one stage, they felt it was more exposure and better for merch. I 100,000% agree. That sentiment was proven in their knock your balls off performance. There was not a lot of bullshit chit chat coming off the stage here, just in your face metal.

Thy Art Is Murder (http://www.indiemerch.com/thyartismurder/) was another great band with a killer performance. No fancy shit. I believe these are the guys that gratefully unloaded about 250 water balloons on the crowd. Theses are the antics I would expect from any band on the last day of a tour. Musically and performance wise it was what you would expect and want from metal on a hot Texas day at an event called the Mayhem Festival! Their art is more metal than murder, but this is a go to band if they come to your area! ESPECIALLY if it is an indoor show. Anyway, still just another great band to be able to say "Oh Yeah! I saw those hardcore mutherfuckers in Dallas!"

Whitechapel (http://www.whitechapelband.com) was up next and was my surprise of the day. My daughter has spoken highly of them and I believe she saw them in Austin a couple of years earlier. They lived up to the hype and expectation. Super clean with their sound and style. This was definitely some metal that excited me. As happy as I was to see Sister Sin. As awesome as Shattered Sun stop out. Whitechapel performed like they were MainStage veterans. And the packed area in front of the Victory stage reflected the crowds thrill of seeing Whitechapel and their thrillingly razor sharp performance.

Kissing Candice (http://www.kissingcandice.com) was the last band I was able to check out before being absorbed into the thrill of the MainStage performers. Unfortunately for them their amazing and entertaining (and possibly frightening) set was missed by the masses. By the time Kissing Candice hit the stage, the majority of the crowds had moved onto the MainStage area. The crowds loss. If you go to see a band and expect them to play the music and want to be entertained, Kissing Candice would undoubtedly fit the bill. Hell, their performance creeped me out pretty damn bad. It was some disturbing shit! BUT, these guys were not flash, there was serious substance to the music with their grinding rhythms and sound.

In all...the Mayhem Festival 2015, with only one stage, was a bit of a let down. However, there is definitely no question the entertainment value we received on Mayhem 2015 was every bit, worth it for the Victory Stage.

Photos and review of the MainStage performances to be posted separately...because there is simply to much bad ass shit to talk about...That's why!