Fifth annual Mayhem Festival slams into White River Amphitheatre July 3

On July 3 the fifth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival roars again into Auburn’s White River Amphitheatre, bringing a host of metal’s biggest acts to provide the backing music for the area’s headbanging faithful.

Among the bands poised to rock the socks off this year’s lucky ticket-holders are behemoths Slayer, Slipknot and Mötorhead on the main stage, as well as support acts As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, Asking Alexandria, Upon a Burning Body, Betraying the Martyrs, I the Breather and Dirtfedd.

Also featured on this year’s lineup are thrash metal titans Anthrax, who will anchor the second stage with a 45-minute headlining set.

The tour marks a return for the thrash metal innovators, who formed in 1981 and recently released their 10th album “Worship Music.”

“We’ve done some big tours, with (Iron) Maiden, with Ozzy, with (Judas) Priest. We did plenty of cool tours,” he said. “We did Clash of the Titans (with Slayer, Megadeth and Alice in Chains). But nothing like this. It should be very interesting. This event is a great thing to be a part of. You’re reaching a large amount of people and getting that exposure. That’s what you look forward to.”

Phil Bozeman, lead singer for Knoxville, Tenn.-based Whitechapel – who play on the Jägermeister Stage this year – knows full well what a young band can get out of a slot at the Mayhem Festival.

In 2009 the band – hot on the heels of the release of their second album “This is Exile” – played the Hot Topic Stage at the Mayhem Festival.

“That was the defining moment of whether we were going to fall off the face of the Earth or survive,” Bozeman said. “That was the biggest exposure we had. You can go over good with 500 people in a room, but the true test is in front of thousands, where 80 or 90-percent don’t even know who you are. It’s by far one of the best ways for an up-and-coming band to get notoriety and recognition. I don’t know anything else that can beat that.”

With much of their success owed to their appearance on the 2009 edition of the tour, Bozeman said they jumped at a chance to play Mayhem again.

“It’s great, the atmosphere is just crazy,” he said. “There is so many people. It’s what bands strive for. It’s a party. Playing for 10,000-plus people. That’s what Mayhem is all about, we know, we’ve played it before. But that thrill never goes away no matter how many times you do that.”

For The Devil Wears Prada, another up and coming metal band that recently released a live CD/DVD “Dead&Alive”, this year’s Mayhem Festival marks its first time on the tour.

“We’re very excited about Mayhem, we’ve been talking about wanting to do it for the last three years,” said guitarist and singer Jeremy DePoyster. “It’s exciting because there are so many people that wouldn’t normally come to a club show just to see you. So they get a chance to see you.”

Tickets and information about this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival are available online at www.rockstarmayhemfest.com.

A word from Lemmy

Motörhead bassist and singer Lemmy Kilmister is a busy guy. Although unavailable for a phone chat, Lemmy did take a few minutes to send the Auburn Reporter an e-mail with a few Q&A’s.

What band on the Mayhem Festival are you most interested in seeing, and why?

“Slayer – ‘cos I haven’t seen ’em since we toured with them years ago.”

Even though you’ll only be in each place for a short time, what city on the Mayhem tour are you most looking forward to?

“Boise, Idaho – first time for Motorhead!”

What city in the world do you most like and why?

“I like anywhere that likes me!”

If you could choose anyone in the world to spend an hour in conversation, who would it be?

“Rihanna – I could probably spare her two!”

What Motörhead song are you most proud of?

“Orgasmatron / March or Die.”

Most people may not know that you’re an avid reader. What book are you currently reading?

“I’m reading “Game Of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin for the second time!”