Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

California-grown Machine Head brought the powder kegs and the fire in their performance at Mayhem Fest. Headlining the Jägermeister stage, the heavy metal four-piece ripped into their set with an intensity matched only by their ferocious fan base.

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Machine Head @ Mayhem Fest

Photographer's Notes:

This was the second and last outdoor set that I photographed at Mayhem Fest, having just come from Underoath on the Hot Topic stage next door.

Compared to Mastodon's set on the main stage, the satellite stages were both much lower, coming in at around four-feet, without another foot added by the monitors. These speakers kept the action back somewhat, forming a solid line along the edge of the stage, but also provided a convenient footrest for members of the band, particularly guitarist Phil Demmel.

Thanks to the rather intimate stage, the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 and Nikon 24-70mm were more than enough for this gig.

I photographed the first three songs of Machine Head's performance, though from that short time, I can say that I would have loved to photograph the rest of their set. Aside from the band, the fans for this gig were practically foaming at the mouth during this show and made for great subjects!