While I was not able to catch all of the acts on the Monster Energy second stage one I did have the opportunity to catch was the amazing Rev Theory, who needed no theatrics or elaborate stage show to tear through their set, playing songs from their album “Light It Up” and a fabulous cover of Nine Inch Nail’s “Head Like A Hole”. Would I be going out on a limb here if I were to suggest that perhaps they placed the wrong “Theory” band on the main stage this year?

Baltimore’s Charm City Devil’s started things off on a high note for the main stage giving audiences a large sampler of songs off their debut album Let’s Rock & Roll. They are a straight up, no holds barred rock band and I wish there could have been a larger crowd to catch their set, as people were still trickling into the venue. I expect some good things to come from this band once people begin to catch on. Stand out songs include the albums’ title track “Let’s Rock and Roll” and the call and repeat anthem “True Love Hell Yeah”.

Another slight line-up mistake was placing veteran rockers Drowning Pool as the second band to grace the main stage. There is no way that these guys did not deserve to play after the more radio-friendly Theory of a Deadman, I guess commercialism pays off. Don't get me wrong, I do not think Theory of a Deadman is terrible band, just not the best fit on the main stage of this festival. Drowning Pools energy was infectious, and I just feel that Theory of a Deadman slowed things down just a bit too much.

Things didn't slow down for too long once Godsmack hit the stage! This power-house band never slowed down cranking out hit after hit such as “Straight Out of Line”, “Keep Away”, “Speak”, and the new song “Whiskey Hangover”. As per usual of the band the incredible dueling drum solo after the song “Voodoo” made an appearance and lead singer Sully Erna and drummer Shannon Larkin were in incredible form....it was fascinating!

Always known for their outrageous stage antics and set-up Motley Crue certainly did not disappoint opening things up with what appeared to be a giant wheel-chair being pushed on the stage by a scantily clad nurse. The patient in the chair, who very closely resembled Crue drummer Tommy Lee, then popped out of the chair in a straight jacket and was then injected with possibly the biggest syringe prop I have ever seen! After that, the curtain rose and the band, sporting medical lab coats, was revealed playing in small-white padded cell, in which they rocked through their hits “Dr. Feelgood” and “Slice of Your Pie”. The padded cell then broke away to a stage set reminiscent of a mental asylum ,or better yet the Dr. Feellgood album cover come to life, where the guys played through the remaining songs on the album, as a homage to Dr. Feelgood’s 20th anniversary as it was a multi-million seller for the band.

For those worried that all you are going to hear is Dr. Feelgood from start to finish, the band also, busted out their hits such as “Shout at the Devil”, “Wild Side”, and a beautiful candle-lit version of “Home Sweet Home”. What I love about a Motley Crue show is that everything is a visual spectacle from the lights and pyrotechnics to the movement and energy of the band members themselves. While the songs might be the same, there is always something new to look at and the band’s momentum never slows down from start to finish. Now I can’t wait to see what they have in store for next year!