With the possible exception of the Maryland Deathfest on May 22-24th–headlined by a rare US appearance by metal gods and Josh Barnett sponsors Bolt Thrower, and also featuring bands like Cephalic Carnage, Napalm Death and SAVSCI favorites Hail of Bullets and Cattle Decapitation–the concert event of the summer will no doubt be the Rockstar Mayhem Festival. Try this lineup on for size:

Slayer
Marilyn Manson
Killswitch Engage
Bullet For My Valentine
Cannibal Corpse
Job For A Cowboy
Behemoth
Black Dahlia Murder
Whitechappel
Trivium
All That Remains
God Forbid

Plus a whole bunch of up and coming bands including personal favorites Skinlab and a band you should know about out of Austin, Texas called Powderburn. In fact, before we do anything else go over to the Powerburn MySpace profile and take a listen:

Powderburn MySpace Profile

Anyway, Rockstar Mayhem Fest will be appearing at an amphitheater near you. Here’s the list of tour dates:

Rockstar Mayhem Fest Tour Dates

Here’s a video promo for the event featuring Slayer. Contrary to rumors, Kerry King has no immediate plans to kick Chuck Liddell’s ass for using ‘Raining Blood’ as his entrance music before he got KTFO by Shogun last weekend:

Here’s a Marilyn Manson promo for the event. I used to have my doubts about Manson, but the guy puts on a sick live show. Plus he’s nailed Rose McGowan….

Click on the banner to check out the Rockstar Mayhem Fest website: