Best Albums Of The Decade(2000-2009): #54-53

54.3 Inches Of Blood-Fire Up The Blades(2007)

Fire Up The Blades is the most impressive 3 Inches Of Blood record in their discography. New guitarists Shane Clark and Justin Hagberg added a thrashy flare to 3 Inches Of Blood's old school sound. In addition to the thrashier songs, 3 Inches Of Blood cranked out their best riffs and catchiest songs with tracks like "The Goatriders Horde", "Trial Of Champions" and "Forest King". 3 Inches Of Blood is at their heaviest,catchiest and best on Fire Up The Blades.

Standout Tracks 1.Trial Of Champions 2.The Goatriders Horde 3.Forest King

53.Behemoth-Evangelion(2009)

On Behemoth's 9th record they remain as furious and precise as in the past. Evangelion is yet another entry in Behemoth's mighty catalog. From the epic sounding "Ov Fire and The Void" to the subtle use of unique instrument like the sitar in "Shemhamforash", Behemoth sound is just as unique and balistic as ever. Evangelion is one of the best records Behemoth has ever made and hopefully Nergal can fight past his lukemia and get well enough to make another record in the future. Behemoth is just too damn good and Nergal is way too young to die, I hope Nergal can beat his disease. Get well soon Nergal!

Standout Tracks 1.Daimonos 2.Ov Fire and The Void 3.Shemhamforash

Best Albums Of The Decade(2000-2009): #76-75

76.3 Inches Of Blood-Advance and Vanquish(2004)

Canada's 3 Inches Of Blood is really a hate it or love it metal band. Personally I think they are amazing and their style of old-school classic metal mixed with newer influences is truly unique and awesome. Vocalist Cam Pipes over the top yet still awesome vocals are what really carry this band along with their catchy,thrashy riffs. "Deadly Sinners" is the perfect example of what 3 Inches Of Blood is all about. Lyrics about how awesome metal is, great riff and the balance of Pipes clean,high-pitched vocals with Jamie Hooper's screaming vocals. Advance and Vanquish is full of memorable riffs,songs and over the top awesomeness.

Standout Tracks 1.Deadly Sinners 2.Destroy The Orcs 3.Revenge Is A Vulture

75.System Of A Down-Mezmerize(2005)

This record was actually the first System Of A Down record that I had ever heard. I was starting to listen to metal when this record came out when I was 13. What struck me about this record(and later the entire System Discography), was how there was different side to it. There was the goofy tracks such as "Cigaro" and "This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song" to the social/political commentry tracks like "Violent Pornography" and "B.Y.O.B". The shifts from one extreme to the other and the element of surprise is something I always admire in a band. The lyrics are deep and emotional in places and witty and comical in others. System Of A Down is one of my favorite bands and this won't be the last of them on this list.
Standout Tracks 1.Violent Pornography 2.Revenga 3.Cigaro

Concert Review: Rockstar Mayhem Fest Mansfield,MA July 27,2010

Got to the Comcast Center a little bit later than I expected but wasn't much of a problem got into the venue pretty quick and didn't miss a band(even though I didn't really care about the first 3 bands).

In This Moment was up first. I really don't like this band and live they were pretty unimpressive. Maria Brink does have a pretty good singing voice but her screaming is pretty weak. I am not really to into their music. I will say that they did do a pretty cool thing during their last song Maria went out into the crowd and stood at the soundboard and had the crowd circle pit around her. Side Note Maria Brink is really,really hot.

Stemm was the Jager Band at the last Mayhem Fest as well. My thoughts are still the same. They are a pretty decent band they have good energy and they got shit going. Good for them.

Norma Jean was up next so I wondered off to the Rockstar Tent so I got some Rockstar and picked up a 3 Inches Of Blood Shirt while they were on. I did see most of their set despite doing other things and they were pretty shitty.

It was finally time for one of the bands that caused me to come to this year's Mayhem Massachusetts's own Shadows Fall. It was my 1st time seeing Shadows Fall and they put on a good show. The setlist was good and the band played really well. One small complaint is that Brian Fair was a little off on vocals but he is a good frontman who knows how to work a crowd and it is hilarious to watch him circle headbang because of his dreads. I am surprised he hasn't fallen and completely fucked himself up on stage because of them. Anyways Shadows Fall was good and I will most likely see them again.

Went and met 3 Inches Of Blood near the end of Shadows Fall's set. Really cool guys. After getting autographs and talking to them for a few minutes Winds Of Plague was about to start. I know Winds Of Plague is frowned upon by most of the metal community but these guys got their shit together. I personally loved their last record The Great Stone War and in my opinion it is the best deathcore record ever. Winds of Plague has greatly matured in the past year. They have greatly stepped up their live show. The last time I saw them they are a bit of a letdown but this time they were great.

Chimaria was fantastic. Great stage presence and their songs just are so much heavier and better live. The main example is song like Secrets Of The Dead which I personally don't like at all on disc was sick live. The Dehumanizing Process was also a nice surprise addition and best of all we were the first date to get it on the whole tour.

Atreyu played next. I was meeting Winds Of Plague during their set but the Revolver Booth was pretty close to the Silver Star Stage so I could see and hear them from the line to meet them. I used to love Atreyu when I was in middle school but I soon grew out of them. They weren't too good live. It was kind of fun for nostalgia purposes they played a lot of older material that I knew but still they weren't good at all.

Hatebreed as usual was fucking insane live. Jamey Jasta is a such an insane frontman and puts 110% into their performance. The setlist was fantastic Smash Your Enemies and Hands Of A Dying Man were great additions to the set. Fantastic performance and one of the best bands of the day.

3 Inches Of Blood closed out the side stages and all I can say is holy shit. I had seen them live once before with In Flames last October but they were even better today. Even though the crowd was not that large due to Five Finger Death Punch playing on the main stage the people that where there were going apeshit. Insane performance and I am so happy that Deadly Sinners is back in the setlist.

Lamb Of God was 2 songs into their set when I made to the Main Stage but I wasn't really too sad. Lamb Of God crushed as usual. One of the best live bands in the whole metal genre. That being said even though they were still fantastic they were not as good as the last time I saw them.

Avenged Sevenfold was playing the Massachusetts date only on Mayhem. Once again this band that is frequently shit talked and I guess they do deserve some of it(They do have kind of a gay image and stupid stage names)but I do enjoy most of their music. I hadn't seen them in 4 years so I really did not know what to expect from them. Avenged Sevenfold was great. A lot of energy and it was such a pleasure seeing Mike Portnoy behind the kit. He had some crazy fills that are not in the original songs on the older material. A pleasant surprise for sure.

Rob Zombie was one of the greatest performances I had ever witnessed. Absolutely jaw-dropping amazing. Zombie is a born showmen and in a live environment he is pretty much unbeatable. The craziest thing about the set was probably John 5's solo his playing was insane. I don't know if Zombie did this on all dates but John 5 smashed his guitar after School's Out and it was awesome. I will make an effort to see him next time he comes to MA he was amazing.

Pretty much ditto for Korn. Insane live really not much else I can say.Such a fantastic show pretty much every band slayed. It was pretty much a dream come true seeing Korn and Rob Zombie two of the artists that got me into metal at the same time. Can't wait till Mayhem 2011. I would like to thank my friends that I attended this with. You guys are all fucking awesome and added to the already fantastic experience.

Scores
In This Moment 3/10
Stemm 6.5/10
Norma Jean 3/10
Shadows Fall 7.5/10
Winds Of Plague 8.5/10
Chimaria 8.5/10
Atreyu 4/10
Hatebreed 9.5/10
3 Inches Of Blood 9/10
Lamb Of God 9.5/10
Avenged Sevenfold 8.5/10
Rob Zombie 10/10
Korn 10/10

Set Lists

Shadows Fall
King Of Nothing
War
Thoughts Without Words
Still I Rise
The Power Of I and I
Bark At The Moon(Ozzy Osbourne Cover)
The Light That Blinds

Winds Of Plague
Earth(Intro)
Chest and Horns
Decimate The Weak
Angels Of Debauchery
The Impaler
One Body Too Many
Reloaded

Chimaira
Black Heart
Pleasure In Pain
Power Trip
Secrets Of The Dead
Resurrection
The Dehumanizing Process
Pure Hatered

Atreyu
Bleeding Mascara
Becoming The Bull
?
Right Side Of The Bed
You Give Love A Bad Name(Bon Jovi Cover)
?
Ex's and Oh's
Lip Gloss and Black

Hatebreed(Order might be off on a couple of songs in the middle but all the songs are correct)
Everyone Bleeds Now
In Ashes They Shall Reap
Hands Of A Dying Man
As Diehard As They Come
Smash Your Enemies
Live For This
Tear It Down
Perseverance
Last Breath
To The Threshold
Defeatist
This Is Now
I Will Be Heard

3 Inches Of Blood
Battles and Brotherhood
Silent Killer
Trial Of Champions
Call Of The Hammer
Wykydtron
Deadly Sinners
The Goatrider's Horde

Lamb Of God
The Passing(intro)
In Your Words
Set To Fail
Walk With Me In Hell
Now You've Got Something To Die For
Laid To Rest
Redneck
Black Label

Avenged Sevenfold
Nightmare
Critical Acclaim
Welcome To The Family
Beast and The Harlot
Buried Alive
Unholy Confessions
Almost Easy

Rob Zombie
What Lurks On Channel X?
Superbeast
Scum Of The Earth
Living Dead Girl
More Human Than Human
Sick Bubblegum
House Of 1000 Corpses
Joey Jordison Drum Solo
Never Gonna Stop(The Red,Red Kroovy)
Mars Needs Women
Thunder Kiss 65
John 5 Solo
School's Out(Alice Cooper Cover)
Dragula

Korn
Right Now
Here To Stay
Did My Time
Oildale(Leave Me Alone)
Falling Away From Me
Somebody Someone
Let The Guilt Go
Freak On A Leash
Blind
Shoots and Ladders/One(Metallica Cover)
Clown
Got The Life