Dragonforce - Got the crowd with their energy... and Guitar Hero hit Distrubed - blew the roof off Slipknot - made the most of a short set

Thousands of fans, bands and vendors braved the blistering heat to gather for one of the biggest metal events outside of Ozzfest to ever hit the U.S. To say it was a little hot is like saying Dick Cheney’s kind of an asshole. The weather was every bit as brutal as the music.

The side stages started rocking at 2 PM, and featured many up-and-coming bands like Black Tide, 36 Crazyfists and Walls Of Jericho. Of particular note was a bad-ass set from Five Finger Death Punch, and great sets from Machine Head and Airbourne.

Mastodon got things going on the main stage with a weird set of psychedelic doom. Up next was Guitar Hero stars, Dragonforce. The crowd was kinda indifferent, until vocalist Z.P. Theart did laps all around the concourse, getting in people’s faces and getting everyone into the show. Then they did their big Guitar Hero hit, “Through The Fire and Flames.”

It’s a good thing Dragonforce was so energetic, because the crowd needed all their collective energy to keep up with co-headliner Disturbed’s amazing set. Powerful, tight and perfect as usual, David Draiman (vocals) and his mates simply blew the roof off, as they tore through all their hits including “Stupify,” “Prayer,” “Land Of Confusion” and of course, “Down With The Sickness,” which sounded positively huge. They also played some new material that the crowd ate up. These Chicago boys left some big shoes for Slipknot to fill. Good thing they fear nothing and like breaking stuff.

Slipknot’s triumphant return to the live stage came under a hail of pyrotechnics and stroke-inducing lights. The band ripped into a set filled with classics like “People = Shit,” “Duality” and a neck-breaking version of “The Heretic Anthem.” They also mixed in some choice cuts from their new one, All Hope Is Gone, and some rarities like “Prosthetics,” from their first album. Unfortunately, they were cut short due to time restraints, but still made the most of their set. Look for them to come around again soon on a smaller headlining tour. (Kevin White)