Warm day, hot metal came together for day one of the Mpls Mayhem Metal Fest at Star Central in the NE Mpls area of the Twin Cities here in Minnesota. John McGovern (JCM Records which will be changing to Mayhem Productions) brought together this two day event with a mix of dark, thrash and death metal bands. The metal line up was outright true to form with additions that stepped up to fill in the gaps left with the departure of Sodom and a few others from the initial list of bands. The crowd, including myself were a little slow getting into a metal fest mood with the first two bands kicking things off early on this friday evening. A headstrong hardcore effort with these midwest bands striking the early metal gong as Headshot from Wisconsin along with Si6ks from Minnesota set things in motion. John McGovern and Roadie Ron were high stride busy with keeping all things flowing from start to finish. John Gensmer from the band 'Epicurean' provided the drum set and all the technical know how to meet the percussion needs of each drummer. The bands needed only to bring their selection of cymbals to the show while Gensmer handled all the details to make for a smooth transition from band to band. A two day work out for that drum kit. Lupara from Illinois along with Estuary from Ohio and Epicurean from Minnesota brought the metal pace to the crowd that  were growing in size and becoming more active. Some may know Lupara from the song 'They Call me Disease' and Estuary from the song 'Woven Denial'. Many may have noticed the contrast in Zdenka's soft speaking voice and her deep hard edged singing voice. Epicurean, based here in Minnesota, brought out their dark metal for the crowd with a growing appeal along the metal scene. The crowd became more envolved at this point and many more began rolling in for the last four bands. The night would close out with the bands Throcult, Novembers Doom, Usurper and Dew Scented. Throcult from Colorado are out touring with their latest CD 'Stormbringer'. And out with thier CD 'The Pale Haunt Departure' was Novembers Doom along with Usurper out touring with their latest album 'Cryptobeast'. Up last and out of Germany was Dew Scented with at least seven albums and their hot off the press new album is called 'Issue VI'. With these four bands there was a heavy slice of the metal scene on stage and the crowd brought out their friendly mayhem in support of the bands. Sometimes the stage was on the dark side while the bands music was bright within the metal arena of thrash, doom, death and their various shades of dark edged intense lyrical and musical stance. Many on hand in the crowd were surely big followers of some of the bands and those that wish to find out more about these bands will indeed find songs, videos and much more at the websites of each band. 

Coverage by P~Kramer
   May 06, 2005    Photos by P~Kramer

Day Two  :  More photos in the photo gallery