Over the weekend, we (inadvertently) broke the news via a video from the Ibanez booth at NAMM that Slipknot would be headlining this year's installment of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.
It has now officially been announced that Iowa's heaviest export will indeed be headlining the main stage, with a stellar lineup in tow. Hitting the stage directly before Slipknot will be thrash titans Slayer, who will follow a special guest that will be announced on March 5.
“You knew we'd be back," said Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor. "Now, you know we're coming. This will be a tour people will scarcely want to miss. It will definitely be a show to remember. Can't wait to see the states again from behind a mask.”
Slayer bassist Tom Araya adds: "Mayhem 2012 might just be the last and greatest metal festival before the world ends! So wreak havoc and go out in style!"
The main stage will also feature a rotation of of artists, including The Devil Wears Prada, As I Lay Dying and Asking Alexandria. The bands will also rotate onto the Jagermeister Stage, which will be headlined by Anthrax.
The Jagermeister stage will also feature Whitechapel, High on Fire and the traditional Jagermeister opener.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL 2012 TOUR DATES:
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
- 6/30/2012 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
- 7/1/2012 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
- 7/3/2012 - Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheater
- 7/4/2012 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
- 7/6/2012 - Phoenix, AZ - Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion
- 7/7/2012 - Albuquerque, NM - Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion
- 7/8/2012 - Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
- 7/10/2012 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
- 7/11/2012 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
- 7/13/2012 - Tampa, FL - 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre
- 7/14/2012 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
- 7/15/2012 - Indianapolis, IN - Klipsch Music Center
- 7/18/2012 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
- 7/20/2012 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- 7/21/2012 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
- 7/22/2012 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
- 7/24/2012 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
- 7/25/2012 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
- 7/27/2012 - Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center
- 7/28/2012 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion
- 7/29/2012 - Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
- 7/31/2012 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- 8/1/2012 - Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake PAC
- 8/3/2012 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center
- 8/4/2012 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
- 8/5/2011 - Hartford, CT - The Comcast Theatre
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**
Join now for unlimited access
US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year
UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year
Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Josh Hart is a former web producer and staff writer for Guitar World and Guitar Aficionado magazines (2010–2012). He has since pursued writing fiction under various pseudonyms while exploring the technical underpinnings of journalism, now serving as a senior software engineer for The Seattle Times.
“We’ve had four days to learn these songs and we’re gonna play every single one of them tonight”: Eric Clapton, Trey Anastasio, Bob Weir, Van Morrison, Mike Campbell, Lucinda Williams celebrate Robbie Robertson at epic Martin Scorsese-curated tribute
“We’re three very different players, still evolving on our instruments”: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson bring their A games for electrifying Crossroads jam in first pro-shot footage of G3 2024 tour