Reviewed on Jul 19 2008 11:44AM:
Show Rating: (0)

Rockstar ENergy Mayem Tour 2008 (Inaugural Run)
Friday July 18, 2008
Bands: 2 Local Yager BAnds, 36 CrazyFists, Suicide Silence, 5 Finger Death Punch, Black Tide, Airbourne, The Red Chord, Walls Of Jericho, Underoath, Machine Head, Mastadon, DragonForce, Disturbed, Slipknot
Doors: 1:30 pm
Show: 2:00 pm
Phoenix, Az
Venue: Crickett Wireless Pavillion


This was an off year for ozzfest, as it only had one stop, well 2 one in Montreal, early in June and once in DAllas, Tx at Pizza Hut Park on Aug 8, 2008. Presumably because Ozzy had a full tour over the winter, and could not handle, a summer, winter, summer tour itenerary. Sounds of the Underground aslo lost its major funding partners so this left the door wide open for a new contender, enter Rockstar energy drinks. Over the last 10 years Red Bull, Monster and ROckstar have slowly become the most popular drinks among teenagers; and Rockstar has come out on top at least lately. ROckstar decided to throw their money around and take advantage of a new summer left empty of a major concert festival, yet still included releases by Disturbed, SLipknot and a few rock and metal bands.
I arrived to the venue about 12:45, and found the shorter "jump the Line" blue wristband pass and got in it, it was about 50 people long, and the general line was over 500 long, possibly more. Rockstar was there handing out free drinks and kupd was broadcasting and people were buying tickets left and right. I jumped in line and waited and waited in the hot 113+ sun. I got in looked at the shirts that ranged in price from $25-$35 for major artists. I ran over across the venue since the mainstage was closed until 5:00pm, and the first local Yager band was on the stage. The Yagermeister stage and The Hot Topic Second Stage were located on the other side of the venue in the parking lot as ozzfest had offered the second stage in past years. The two stages were literally 20 ft apart and the artists went back and forth all day so the music never stopped!


Yager Stage-Local Yager Contest winner(2:00pm-2:25pm)
I'm not sure of their name but they were ok, as fas as local openign acts go. They Had a metal sound with aspects of hardcore mixed in. They had a local following of friends their early. They thanked us diehard metal fans for coming out early to check them out.
Hot Topic Stage-36 CrazyFists (2:20pm-2:50pm)
For the first national known band they were good, they sounded good and together but they were a mix of hardcore and metal , mostly hardcore so i again wasn't into them. Everyone from my yager stage moved over to catch them. I could start to see those diehard machine head fans staying on the barricade on my stage to be ready for Machine head 5 hours later.
Setlist:
intro
ill go until my heart stops
end of august
felt thru a phone line
elysium (with the singer from 12 tribes)
we gave it hell
the heart and the shape
the all night lights
Yager Stage-Local Yager Contest winner (2:50-3:15)
I didn't like these guys. I understand you have to try something new and different to make a name for your band but cover songs and changing the lyrcis isn't cool to me. They did it to a couple of System of A Down songs, and "Bodies" from Drowning Pool. All they were trying to do is get a rise out of the crowd by doing the intro or chorus and changing the lyrics. I don't know these guys will last that long.
Hot Topic Stage-Suicide Solution (3:15-3:45)
These guys were good, Speed and death metal at its finest. The drummer had a good rhythm and speed to his play, the guitar and bassist worked off each other such as Morbid Angel. However, their lead singer looked like a hardcore singer, he didn't portray the metal look at all. Which was ok i guess. I would liek to see these guys again. The lead singer could growl with the best of them.
setlist:
No Pity For A Coward
The Price Of Beauty
???
???
Yager Stage-5 FInger Death Punch (3:45pm-4:15pm)
5FDP was good. The 2 songs they have on the radio are nothing to what they are really like. Lots of anger, violent, Hard language metal. I was expecting something completely different than what i received. The crowd was growning for these guys and got a large positive response. I think their is a connection with this band locally and thats why the crowd was into them. The only song i recognized was "The Bleeding" I would see these guys again if they opened for another show, i don;t know I'd like to see them on their own tour.
setlist:
Ashes
Salvation
Devils Own
White Knuckles
The Bleeding
Hot Topic Stage-Black Tide (4:15pm-4:45pm)
This is the band of teenagers that people joke about. Let me tell you they are no joke. If they continue learning to play cleaner, faster. They could really be something special in the future. They played tow songs "Shockwave" and a cover of a METALLICA song "Hit the Lights." The cover was spot on except for a few chorus parts from the guitar player. He mess up Kirk's solo twice. I would like to see these guys again. they seemed to be into the crowd as the crowd grew on them quickly.
setlist:
Shockwave
Warriors of Time
Hit the Lights(Metallica or Iron Maiden Cover, they chose Metallica thankfully)
Give me a chance
Let Me
Yager Stage-Airbourne (4:45pm-5:15pm)
Airbourne was a good example of good old rock n' roll. Coming out of Austria and being a rock band you would expect an AC/DC sound and yes that is what you got. I don't know their music translates to good to modern radio friendly rock and metal. I enjoyed them and their unique brand of music and tone. The lead singer was enjoying his time in the sun, drinking Yager and beer on stage. I recognized the song they have on modern radio and "Cheap wine and Cheaper Women" which had a nice catchy beat to it.
setlist:
Stand up For Rock N Roll
Runnin' Wild
Diamond in the Rough
Too Much Too Young Too Fast
Girls in Black
Cheap Wine, Cheaper Women
Hot Topic Stage-The Red Chord (5:15pm-5:45pm)
As these guys were taking the stage and doing their brand of hardcore i was getting anxious and a little tired so i walked over to the mainstage and get my wristband as i knew the stage had opened up for Mastadon. About 1/3 of the seats were full and the pit was about 1/5 full and the lawn had barely anyone on it. I walked back to the Yager stage and got my spot back for Walls of Jericho which was 10 minutes from taking the stage. I didn't catch too much of Red CHord but they were your standard hardcore band.
Jagerstage-Walls of Jericho (5:55pm-6:25pm)
When these guys and girl took the stage i was happy to see them. Yes it was another hardcore band but they had fun out there. It was something new with a girl lead singer and a more modern look to them. I alwasy thought of all the bands iv had to witness over the years at all the festivals i alwasy thought they fit in well as a band that the crowd liked nan good energize us. The circle pit was in full action. I know these guys toured with my friends in Within Choas so i was happy to see them out there tearing shit up.
setlist:
???
???
???
???
Theres No I In Fuck You
I Know Hollywood And You Aint It
Hot Topic Stage-Underoath (6:25pm-7:00pm)
As the seconds tick by for Machine Head all i could do is look at the clock. The more this hardcore band played the more it seemed time was stopped or moving very very slowly. I looked over occasionally as watch the roadies tear down Walls of Jericho shit and replacing it with Machine Heads stuff was more entertaining. Just watching the drumset being put together was incredible. And the 4 amps in the MAchine Head diamond sprayed onto the amps was an awesome touch on either side of the small stage. I looked over for a second a saw shit being thrown at underoath and at first i thought the band was going to storm off the stage but kept on going on, not paying attention to it. Later on in the set they saud they enjoyed playing music for fans and nonfans. The time finally came 5 minutes to go and my reason for showing up at 1pm in the after was about to hit the stage for what i thought was a short 30 minute set was about to hit the stage.
Jager Stage-MACHINE (FUCKEN) HEAD (7:00pm-7:45pm)
Finally the intro music started the pit became active and we were witnessing one of the greatest live bands ever hit the stage to a chant of Machine Fucken Head. They played their 4 song set, however everytime Rob wanted to say something, the crowd mostly lead by me banging on the rail was chanting Machine Fucken Head, wouldn't shut up. Rob Flynn said they needed to come back to Phoenix, Az more often to that kind of reception. I think the second stage was full of pit people and lawn people from the mainstage. I mean after all waited 5 plus hours for these giants to take the stage. Their schedule 30 min set became 45 minutes. Of which i was grateful i stayed and had gone earlier to the mainstage pit to get a wristband when i could to save time.
setlist:
Clenching The Fists Of Descent
Imperium
Hallowed
Halo
Davidian
Aesthetics of Hate
Main Ampitheatre Stage-Mastadon (5:45pm-6:25pm)
I don't know how they did as i was on the second stage out in the parking lot for machine head
setlist(not sure)
The Wolf is Loose
Crystal Skull
Capillarian Crest
Colony of Birchmen
Megalodon
Circle Cysquatch
Aqua Dimentia
Iron Tusk
March of the Fire Ants
Main Ampitheatre Stage-DragonForce ( 7:30pm-8:10pm)
I didn't see too much of these guys the end of a new song, an old school song and the song that made them face with guitar hero "Through the Fire and the Flames." It sucks they sold out to guitar hero because i really liked them. At ozzfest when no one knew them open the mainstage two years ago. I ts an old school 80's sound mixed with speed metal. I hope their new music is good.
setlist(not sure)
Revolution Deathsquad
Operation Ground & Pound
Heroes of our Time
Vally of the Damned
Through the Fire and the Flames
Main Ampitheatre Stage-Disturbed (8:35pm-9:35pm)
Since the mainstage was open and i missed getting on the barricade i was on the right side and 3rd row back from the barricade. I had to put up with 30 minutes of drunk or high Indians who could barely stand lean all over us on the right side of the pit. I really hate people who have no idea who is coming on stage or their music ruin it for those who are passionate fans. I only have postive thigns to say about Disturbed. Everyone knows their older stuff. Not too many singer for the new songs, but it was a standard Disturbed show. Mike's (drummer) set seems to be getting larger. He had a camera man out there only recording his performance throughout the set. If anything Disturbed is a well oiled machine i mean they know the rules to but on a good show and are always working to improve that. The light show was completely amazing and the setlist was songs everyone knew from all 4 cd's. Its hard to imagine no one knew these guys prior to the second stage on ozzfest 2000. Now they are the reason 20,000 sold out Crickett Wireless Pavillion was sold out. The lawn was literally a blaze of fires for these guys. I cant wait for their headlining tour for this cd. SInce i have so much positive stuff to say about disturbed, i decided to put in one negative thing. The toll of screaming and harmonizing is taking effect on Dave Draimen. He isn't holding his screams as long and after an intense song, when he goes into a speech, you can hear the changes in his voice. I can understand why they take time off between cd releaese. His vocal chords must be shredded at this point in his short career
setlist(not in order):
Intro
Perfect Insanity
Industructable
Inside the Fire
Divide
Prayer
Liberate
Voices
The Game
Stupify
Down with the Sickness
10,000 Fists
Just Stop
Stricken
Land of Confusion
Main Ampitheatre Stage-Slipknot (10:15pm-11:15pm)
Slipknot once again put on an intense show. Since they have toured together in 2.5 years you could see the stage rust these guys have on them. I noticed a few parts they looked around at each for their stage ques. Their set had Joey's drum set in the center on a riser, with a walkway behind the, and Thier log S on the walkway in front of fire boxes. The show had lots of pyro and pops, one of the pos caught something on fire. WHile the show continued, tow guys ran up there pulled the item down and throw it behind the stage to be put out. It was a quick one hour set that featured classics as well as a new one. The DJ who usually splits duties as a drummer on the left side of the stage jumped earlier in the tour off the hydrolic drum set and broke his 2 heels so he is banned to a wheelchair for the rest of the tour if not longer. Corey gave us the story on the stage calling him dj 2 feet. It was a funny interlude. I understand the 'knot is oversees for the fall and once again hit the states hore for a full us show in spring of 2009. I cant wait to see their stage show then for "All Hope Is Gone." Joey did do his standard hydrolic kit solo during the encore song "Spit It Out" It alot different when you are their and see it live happen less than 20 feet from you.
setlist:
Opening
Surfacing
The Blister Exists
Get This
Before I Forget
Disasterpiece
Psychosocial
The Heretic Anthem
Prosthetics
Duality
People=Shit
(SIC)
In conclusion it was a fun day of heat, sun and overall good music. It was an awesome break of the regular summer and look forward to future tours of the Mayhem Festival.