Special report by Deb Rao

One of the most popular tours of the summer, The Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, roared into Mansfield, MA at the Comcast Center on July 27 with a vengeance. The all-day marathon kicked off at 1:50 P.M. with IN THIS MOMENT on The Silver Stage featuring Maria Brink. Doors opened at 1:15 P.M. and fans lined up early to ensure a good spot on the melting tarmac to see their favorite metal band.

Local heroes SHADOWS FALL hit the Jägermeister Stage at 3:10 P.M. and turned the venue into mosh frenzy as fans chanted Shadows Fall. Lead singer Brian Fair yelled, "I want to see a mosh line going all around the place in Mass hole style we are representing Boston today whipping his ankle long dreadlocks and powerful vocals into a metal frenzy. One of the most popular acts on the Jagermeister Stage, Shadows Fall did not disappoint. The Mass rockers delivered a powerful set that also sparked an OZZY cover, 'Bark At The Moon'. After the performance Brian Fair remarked: "This is how a metal show should be. This is how Boston rocks." Guitarist Jon Donais commented, "I would like to thank all the Boston fans who attended the show today. We have a headlining show coming up in Springfield in September stay tuned for more details."

Newcomers WINDS OF PLAGUE garnered many a new fan in Boston today on the Silver Stage. Lead by frontman Johnny Plague the heavy death metal thrash band proved that death metal is becoming more commercial. One of the great aspects of Festivals such as Mayhem is that it introduces new bands on the horizon alongside Veteran acts such as KORN and ROB ZOMBIE.

Highlights of the main stage included an only Mayhem appearance by AVENGED SEVENFOLD. The band released their new CD Nightmare same day as Mayhem in Mansfield. Lead singer M. Shadows thanks the promoter of Mayhem for letting them perform on the release day of their new CD. One of the most heartwarming moments of the evening was the tribute to the late A7x drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan."

Next up the master of the macabre shock rocker Rob Zombie captivated the audience with a decadent stage set that included a 15-foot robot, skeletons, gargoyles, and Rob sporting a mechanical claw, just like a vision out of his movie. Video screens flashed old school horror flicks. Guitarist John 5 gave an outstanding performance. His precision and overall performance proved him to be one of the most talented guitarists of his genre. Rob and his band mates unleashed the popular hits 'Thunderkiss 65', 'Dragula', and 'Living Dead Girl' in one of the most entertaining sets of the evening.

KoRn ended the evening with a sledgehammer performance including their popular hits 'Blind' and 'Falling Away From Me.'