Mayhem Fest 2024

Mayhem Fest made its iconic return to Southern California this year on Saturday, October 12th, nestled at the well-known Glen Helen Amphitheater. The one-day, one-stop festival (unlike previous years’ touring renditions) was headlined by none other than Bad Omens after a decade of performance hiatus. 

On the organizational front, the festival excelled, with well-placed stages and easy navigation around the venue.

Ample food and drink options kept festival-goers fueled, and while there were some lines, they didn’t dampen the spirits of a crowd eager to soak in the music. The day kicked off with sets from Holy Wars, Roman Candle, Escuela Grind, It Dies Today, and Born of Osiris, who commanded the crowd at the Red and Black Stages. The sun was shining and — although seasonally warm, at 84 degrees — mosh pits, crowd-surfers and even a wall of death were not forgotten on this toasty fall SoCal day.

Soon, one of the big highlights of the day: System of a Down’s Shavo Odadjian unveiling his new band, Seven Hours After Violet, by making their main stage debut. The excitement carried on, with the crowd jumping back to the Red and Black Stages to catch Unearth’s blistering performance and the standout neon-wonderland set from Japan’s metalcore powerhouse, Hanabie.

They brought ample energy, beach balls, and insanely good (but metal) vibes, creating a contrast between sound and style.

Soon after, more incredible female acts took the main stage spanning all metal genres. Jinjer enthralled the audience with their complex and progressive metal, while Poppy turned heads with her genre-blending mix of pop and metal, bringing a refreshing twist to the festival. Longtime fans were thrilled by the return of metal veterans Kittie, who have recently returned from longtime break. 

Other standout performances came from We Came As Romans, Suicide Silence, and After the Burial — each delivering high-octane sets. Throwdown marked their triumphant return with their first California show in over a decade, while rising talent Peyton Parrish captivated the audience during his West Coast debut, impressing everyone with his Viking-inspired metal sound. August Burns Red closed down the Black/Red Stages side by treating attendees to a full performance of their iconic album Constellations, putting instant nostalgia on loud sing-along moments.

Parkway Drive followed on the main stage with a high-energy set.

Known for their explosive live shows and love of pyrotechnics, the Australian metalheads delivered above and beyond. Architects completed the trio of headliners, bringing a polished, yet ferocious sound, coupled with a visually stunning stage production that featured massive risers and LED panels showcasing each member.

The festival was headlined by Bad Omens — one of the most thrilling metalcore acts of the year — who delivered an unforgettable performance and biggest headlining show to date. Their set featured subtle pyro fire effects, enhancing the intensity of their act; they also surprised fans with a rare, stripped-down rendition of “Just Pretend”. Adding to the excitement, Poppy joined them onstage to perform their new post-hardcore track “V.A.N.”. This headlining show was especially significant, as Bad Omens recently canceled many international tour dates.

If you couldn’t make it to this year’s festival, don’t fret. Mayhem Festival’s triumphant return promises more metal mayhem and epic memories in the years to come. So, get ready for next year — because chaos, great music, and mosh pits are here to stay!

Photography by Franny Kovacs

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