If you noticed the faint smell of burning plastic mixed with dust and Rockstar energy drink this past Sunday, then you were probably hanging around San Bernardino where metal gala Mayhem Fest was in full swing. Gearing towards the Hot Topic and KROQ generation, thousands of oppressed youth and the seemingly browbeaten citizens of the Inland Empire gathered to take part in the manufactured anger fest to support bands like Walls of Jericho, Suicide Silence, and 36 Crazyfists. But Mayhem Fest wasn’t all about massive fist fights, $11 Miller Light, and swastika tattoos; it was all about spectacle. If not for headliners Slipknot and Disturbed, the main reason to head over to San Berdoo was unquestionably for Iron Maiden incarnates Dragonforce and brass-knuckle-clad Five Finger Death Punch.

Rockin' the devil horns (Ali Miller)

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The Glen Helen Pavilion is a pretty decent venue to hold a music festival. Lush green grass and ample space provided more than enough roaming room, despite the blistering heat and all the dust kicked up by various mosh pits. The photo pit had to have been the scariest yet most exciting part of the whole ordeal as thrown bottles and rogue moshers end up meeting over the barrier in front of the stage. Despite the heat, the dust, and the overwhelming pseudo-Nazi presence, Mayhem Fest was definitely an adventure. And if we didn’t have to be at work the next day, heading a few more hours north on the 15 could have resulted in an epic weekend in Vegas. But that would be almost too much mayhem for one weekend, dontcha think?