4) Iced Earth’s Valhalla Soundman

I’ve been meaning to see Iced Earth for years, but I only just got the chance when they closed out the festival. By that point, I was pretty exhausted as is expected of such a festival, but I was excited all the same. When the band did finally come on, I found myself not only enjoying the band, but also the guy at the soundbooth. He was not only adorned in a jean vest with a huge Iced Earth patch on the back, but also Thor’s helmet with a Skeletor mask. I’ll be honest, my attention diverted to him a number of times during the set as he danced along to “Burning Times” while sporting his mighty headwear.

3) Whitechapel’s Wall of Death 

I always seem to forget that the Wall of Death is a thing until it’s about to happen. On day two of the festival, the pit only got crazier with each band as the crowd continued to top itself. Then Whitechapel came on, and I knew that things were going to get rough, but for some reason the idea that a Wall of Death could and probably would occur slipped my mind. Sure enough, in the middle of the band’s set, people moved to their respective sides of the pit and then proceeded to charge. I’m glad I wasn’t in the middle of it.