The metalhead’s paradise. Soundwave audience is one of the best festival audiences around (apart from one absolute idiot of course). Always respectful of bands, security, organisers, each other… and photographers.

Shooting from the pit at Soundwave always presents the possibility of a crowd surfer landing on your head. And this year delivered (again), becoming a landing mat for one Kyuss fan I received a big fat lip bashing against my camera. But who cares… Kyuss was playing. I don’t care who you tell me is in the band or not… they fucking rock….

 

Many people are more than happy to work at Soundwave (paid or unpaid). I think this guy did not….

 

This guy likes metal…

 

Stone Sour roared. As did the crowd. Though the chants were more for Corey than SS, he responded with a performance to be remembered, while taking the time to pose for the photographers.

 

The festival had 3 of “The Big 4” on the lineup and it’s thanks to them that this festival even exists… and the crowd knows it. If you went to Soundwave not knowing Slayer (which you didn’t admit to anyone), you left feeling a slightly violated and grateful for the experience.

 

 

The Maynard…. enough said….

 

Will not hesitate to photograph Linkin Park ever. Great stage show. Chester is one of the best performers to get through the lens….

 

Halfway through the day I received a TEXT MESSAGE telling me I did not have permission to shoot Metallica… so here they are recreated in lego….

 

….easily the highlight of the day. Metallica are a juggernaut.

juggernaut  (jubreve.gif gprime.gif schwa.gif r-ntlprime.gif )

noun. An overwhelming, advancing force that crushes or seems to crush everything in its path.

A greatest hits set with a stage show that could be seen from space.

Hit The Lights! Fade To Black! ORION!! Blackened!… not a single wrong move (apart from that slip up in Harvester which no one noticed).

The crowd roared just as loud for tallica as they did for the big screen when, maybe the oldest fan I have seen, front and centre with devil horns raised, who I thought was Blue from Old School at first glance.

The “Metallica Family” were not disappointed by the stand out of the day. All going home with a sore neck and smile on their face.

There were lots of other great music on every stage but I only had one camera.

See you next year.

(Leave your flares at home you f%#^ing idiot.)

-D.O.B

[You can see more of Dan’s live music photography at www.secretlyexcited.com or https://www.facebook.com/secretlyexcited]