Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Ends After 8 Years

(Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna)

John Reese, founder of Rockstar’s Mayhem Festival, has announced that the show must come to an end after just 8 years. He’s publicly released a letter in response to the news.

The 2015 Mayhem Festival last July will be it’s last. The end of festival comes as the result of production difficulties followed by drama between Reese and co-founder Kevin Lyman, reports Crave. Lyman has publicly stated multiple jabs at both Reese and at the festival as a whole. While Lyman has publicly apologized for his words, the Mayhem took a big hit from the commentary along with additional negative commentary from others involved in the production of the festival. The tension has led to the official end of the festival. To supplement the unfortunately news, Reese wrote the following message to Mayhem fans:

Dear Fans of Heavy Music and Metal Bands Everywhere,

WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL UNITE NOT DIVIDE! Without each other’s support the only thing that suffers is Metal as a genre!
In the midst of our most challenging year in 8 years of producing the festival, my partner Kevin Lyman made some comments that he has subsequently apologized for. Kevin is an honorable man and has given everything he has to the presentation of music and expanding the profile of countless artists! I am proud of our partnership and our results throughout the years! We have always tried to deliver a platform for artists to expand their fan base and the genre as a whole!

In saying this, various people involved with the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and some from the metal community have understandably made some divisive comments regarding the event. The event has suffered as a result of these many comments. What’s done is done but I am here to say that heavy metal music is alive and well! I shouldn’t have to remind everyone that we as a culture have faced ostracism from the mainstream for decades and we should not let over-sensationalized media hype separate us! I think we are ALL tired of all of the bullshit. I KNOW I AM!

Let’s move the conversation forward supporting each other not dividing.
Thank you to Slayer, King Diamond, Hellyeah, TDWP and every single one of the incredibly talented bands that have performed this year on Mayhem!

I would also just like to add a few other choice things for any media conspiracy headlines:
“Can’t we all just get along!” – Rodney King 1994
Marilyn Manson did NOT cause Columbine!
Obama is not the Antichrist!! And he ain’t taking our guns!
Justin Bieber….. uhhhh… no comment!
Heavy metal does not cure cancer, but it is good to fuck to.
Hopefully I will see many of you at Knotfest 2015!

– John Reese

While it may officially be the end for Mayhem, Reese’s enthusiasm certainly doesn’t make it sound like it’s the end of his vision as a producer and as an incredibly important member of the metal community. Hats off to a great 8-year run. Mayhem will be missed.