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. more ›