Mayhem Fest 2013 Kickoff: Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Mastodon + Amon Amarth [Photos]

The 2013 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival has kicked off and the main stage provides a powerful bill that includes Amon Amarth, Mastodon, Five Finger Death Punch and the shock-rock master Rob Zombie.

The Mayhem festival is now in its 6th year, and it kicked off its new voyage at the San Manual Amphitheater near San Bernardino -- known to many metal-heads as the birthplace of Ozzfest.

The crowd, even after enduring blistering temperatures that hovered around 106 all day, didn't seem to have lost much energy when death metal legends Amon Amarth hit the stage at about 6:20 p.m. With a huge Viking ship prop, the Swedish quintet delivered a powerful set to start the main stage festivities.

Mastodon followed with a solid set, rocking in front of a giant scrim and delivering a no-frills performance that allowed fans to fully focus on the band's playing. Then Five Finger Death Punch, now on its third Mayhem run, blew the doors off the building with an electrifying set featuring their biggest stage production to date (replete with gargoyle statues lining the lip of the stage).

Finally, around 10 p.m., Rob Zombie descended to the stage atop a giant ZOMBIE- embossed podium while his band (including white-haired axe legend John 5) pumped away beneath him. Kicking it off with a throbbing version of 'Teenage Nosferatu P--sy,' Zombie and crew plowed through a 14-song set (with tons of pyro), giving the crowd just what it came for -- an anthemic, metallic, horror-movie hero -- and lots of Mayhem.

Check out our photo gallery for the Mayhem Festival's main stage below:

2013 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Main Stage Photo Gallery

Rob Zombie

Five Finger Death Punch

Mastodon

Amon Amarth