Photography by: Rick Triana, RiPT Media
Written by: Gregory Rothstein

What’s up Sights And Sounds! I have some great news for those of you who listen to hard rock, I’ll be taking you guys for a first hand POV into the photo pits of Rockstar’s Mayhem Festival this Sunday in Chicago at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater! What artists do you wanna see photos of? I can tell you right now here is what I’m thinking!

I’ll start things off with Upon A Burning Body. A band amidst a little controversy due to a PR move won’t stop me from being front and center to see what they’ve got. Coming off some great momentum after the recent release of two new songs and in preparation for their release later this summer, this band could not be hotter right now. Lead singer Danny Leal has been known to put on a fantastic show and has proven to be quite the photogenic subject.
 

 
Next up for me is a no brainer, a band I have been a huge fan of since they’re beginnings: New Jersey’s Ill Nino. The best way to describe these guys is a tribal, harder, Latin flavored version of Linkin Park. Led by Christian Machado this band knows how to have a good time and get the crowd going. But it is drummer Dave Chavarri and new percussionist Oscar Santiago who in my opinion bring all of the Latin and tribal feel to this bands unique sound and propel them away from the rest of the pack because of that unique percussive element. You can expect to hear some songs from all of their past releases and, hopefully, even one of their newer singles like “Live Like There Is No Tomorrow” or “Not Alive In My Nightmare” off their upcoming album, Till Death, La Familia, slated for a July 22nd release.
 

 
However there is no band hotter than my boys in Miss May I, and I can promise you I won’t be missing their set. Coming hot off the release of their newest album, Rise Of The Lion, these guys have proven that they are here to stay. While Levi Benton shows that he is a vocal force to be reckoned with, make sure to keep your eye on guitarists Justin and B.J. who can shred like no other. These guys can promise a great set no matter how big the venue or crowd.
 

 
These three bands are must sees for me, but I think I’ll have time to see a couple others before I have to hit the main stage, sound off in the comments below and let me know what other bands I should shoot before heading to see the big four.

It goes without saying that Mayhem’s mainsage is pretty jacked. You cannot deny that the four bands you will see at this stage will be putting their blood, sweat, and tears into every song they play. Trivium is one of my favorite band’s and I have been fortunate enough to see them grow into this unstoppable force of rock and roll. Asking Alexandria is arguably the future of rock and roll. While Korn and A7X are the veterans of the game who you can expect tons of pyro and amazing lights from.
 

 
Rockstar’s Mayhem Festival is a can’t miss event if you are a lover of hard rock and a high energy atmosphere! So what do you say Chicago? Will you be there??

Tickets to Rockstar’s Mayhem Festival are still available here.

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