Photos: Megadeth @ Mayhem Fest 2011

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

In my opinion, Megadeth stole the show at Mayhem Fest. Their set was the one I was most looking forward to at this event, and the thrash metal legends did not disappoint. Aside from the performance itself, Megadeth received a perfect combination of stage lighting, haze, and natural light for what I thought was one of the most photogenic sets of Mayhem Fest.

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Megadeth performing on the Mayhem Festival at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis, Missouri on July 19, 2011. © Todd Owyoung. (Todd Owyoung)

Photographer's Notes:

Cameras Used:

  • Nikon D3
  • Nikon D700

Lenses Used:

I loved shooting this set. Even though it was only the standard first three, no flash, the shooting time seemed to stretch out for nearly 20 minutes, and at least a solid 15.

The mix of lighting for this set was perfect. The only negative I might add is that there were at times very generous bursts of haze over the stage that obscured Dave Mustaine and crew, but it also added a great deal of atmosphere to the stage as well, so it's hard to knock.

I shot this set with the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8, which were perfect. The telephoto zoom in particular was very useful.

For me, the highlights of this set were the two times Dave Mustaine left his spot at the mic and came to stage left