Even before the kabuki curtain drop, the crowd is chanting in the dark, calling for nine masked men.

Lead by the ever-intense David Draiman, Chicago’s hard rocking alt-metal sons Disturbed delivered a crushing set as one of the headlining bands on Mayhem Fest 2008.

The one-day events of Warped Tour and the Rockstar Mayhem Fest were just stretching exercises.

I’m headed to Lollapalooza in Chicago for the weekend for three days of the photography. Are you also shooting this event or attending as a fan? If so, give me a shout.

Taking the stage after Mastodon, Britain’s DragonForce picked up the metal hammer and took it into the stratosphere with soaring vocals, blazing guitar solos, and epic amounts of hair.

California-grown Machine Head brought the powder kegs and the fire in their performance at Mayhem Fest. Headlining the Jägermeister stage, the heavy metal four-piece ripped into their set with an intensity matched only by their ferocious fan base.

Grammy-nominated progressive metal band Mastodon opened up the main stage at the Rockstar Mayhem Fest with a thundering 40-minute performance at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

Metal shredder and Guitar Hero Herman Li, taking a brief moment from melting faces to give a little love to the camera.

Here’s just a taste of Mayhem from Slipknot’s performance.

Consider this an opportunity for free advertising.

Music photographers: I want to see your website. I want you to post a link to your work. Portfolios, blogs, Myspaces, Flickrs – whatever you’ve got.

July 13, 2008 – With a show that begin with him passing out long-stem roses to the ladies in the front row, The Reverend Al Green delivered a spirited performance to a sold-out crowd at the Fox Theatre.

April 26, 2008 – Award-winning singer-songwriter Jo Dee Messina brought the foot-stomping country throw down to the Chaifetz Arena.

Given the shooting constraints of concert photography, from song limits to bad lighting, the last thing you want to do is show up for a gig lenses that aren’t cut out for the job.

If you’re just starting out with gig photography, here are a few suggestions for lenses that are up to the low-light challenge of concert photography.

July 13, 2008 – Taking the stage with a beaming smile, Gladys Knight, the “Empress of Soul,” thrilled fans with a powerhouse performance that had the entire audience on their feet by the end of the show.

April 26, 2008 – Led by Dan Layus on guitar and keyboard, Augustana brought their sincere, driving melodies to the big hall of the Chaifetz Arena.

R&B and neo-soul singer Anthony Hamilton delivered an energetic set Independence Day weekend as part of the Celebrate St. Louis festival series July 5, 2008.

William Beckett and Michael Guy Chislett of The Academy Is…, photographed outside their tour bus

Warped Tour 2008 marked a really fun, fast-paced assignment, with a large number of bands on the punchlist and a lot of hustle to make it all happen. Aside from live coverage, the backstage shoots were a big part of this year’s Warped coverage as we photographed Paramorer, Katy Perry, Anberlin, Jack’s Mannequin, and more.

“Just move to the front of the stage. Just a little closer. Come in for the real deal.”

After a full day of electric performances, Katy Perry, Paramore, Say Anything, and Gym Class Heroes closed down Warped Tour with killer sets and just a little drama.