Ozzfest Japan Announce Line-up

So if the thought of travelling to Japan to see a concert was even a possibility for you, this might be one worth thinking about, but overall not the most interesting line-up for an Ozzfest show. All the more reason the touring version of the fest became a little tedious in it's last incarnation. The same bands, playing the same set they played in years past. The addition of Tool got my attention though, I am always down to see them, even in Japan.

I still believe this festival need to become a weekend event here in the great state of Texas, like a ACL Fest, Lolla or otherwise. It only make sense, but then again what do I know.

Visions From the Darkside 9/9/12

We try our best to cipher out today's headlines in metal, talk about the recent study about metal and productivity and whether or not the top 50 metal songs of the 21st Century from loudwire.com are even close to being right...

Mayhem Cruise to Set Sail

If there was one promotion that you would think did not stand a chance in hell, it probably would be the mixing of Metal and a cruise, but apparently it is the newest rage. First the 70,000 Tons of Metal  set sail a few years ago, then announced this year the Barge to Hell will set sail and now Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival is about to launch their own version.

Alluded to at the Golden God Awards show by Machine Head and now confirmed by our friends at Metal Insider the latest branded cruise will take place December 7-11th according to festival founder Kevin Lyman. Already-announced lineup of Lamb of God, Anthrax, Machine Head and Suicide Silence, Lyman mentioned there would be additional bands playing from Metal Blade, Sumerian, Roadrunner and Century Media. There will also be a film festival presented by Slipknot’s Clown and Fangoria. And Clown will also be curating a charity art show.

So metal heads, stock up on SPF 2500 and get ready for a long winter in the sea, now I just need to figure out where I can get the cash to go on one of these damn things...

Mayhem 2012 Dates and Bands Announced

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, the world's largest touring heavy music festival is back for its fifth year, The main stage will be our strongest ever with the headlining slot occupied by multi-platinum Iowa legends SLIPKNOT. Next up will be legendary thrash metal kings SLAYER and then a major special guest (rumored to be MOTÖRHEAD) will be playing in the third slot, the details of which will be announced on March 5. The main stage will also spotlight a ferocious mix of today's best artists in a rotation, including THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA.

In 2012 the tour has upgraded the production on the festival stage and this year the Jägermeister Stage will feature a special headline set by metal masters ANTHRAX supported by a rotation of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA, along with WHITECHAPEL, HIGH ON FIRE and the Jägermeister opener. Please note that bands may vary per market.

SLIPKNOT
SLAYER
ANTHRAX
AS I LAY DYING
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
ASKING ALEXANDRIA
WHITECHAPEL
HIGH ON FIRE

The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will make a 26-date trek across the U.S. beginning on June 30 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California. Get Off Your Ass pre-sale tickets go on sale Friday, April 6. Tune in to www.rockstarmayhemfest.com for up-to-date ticketing information.


Jun. 30 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
Jul. 01 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
Jul. 03 - Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheater
Jul. 04 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
Jul. 06 - Phoenix, AZ - Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion
Jul. 07 - Albuquerque, NM - Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion
Jul. 08 - Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jul. 10 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
Jul. 11 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Jul. 13 - Tampa, FL - 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre
Jul. 14 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Jul. 15 - Indianapolis, IN - Klipsch Music Center
Jul. 18 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
Jul. 20 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul. 21 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul. 22 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul. 24 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
Jul. 25 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
Jul. 27 - Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center
Jul. 28 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion
Jul. 29 - Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
Jul. 31 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 01 - Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake PAC
Aug. 03 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center
Aug. 04 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
Aug. 05 - Hartford, CT - The Comcast Theatre