So, the rumors are true! After the leak yesterday that Slipknot would be headlining the 2012 Rockstar Mayhem Festival, most of the lineup has been announced and should get a full seal of approval from most metalheads.
In addition to Slipknot, the main stage will feature legendary metal band Slayer. That’s a helluva bill right there, but wait, there’s more! One more headliner will be announced, and rumors are swirling that it’s Motorhead.

The side stage action is quite monstrous itself, featuring Anthrax, the Devil Wears Prada, As I Lay Dying, Asking Alexandria and Whitechapel.

This tour will mark Slipknot’s first trek in North America since the passing of their bassist Paul Gray. Percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan weighed in on the tour, saying, “Slipknot is headlining this summer’s Mayhem festival and it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever felt, sensed, or seen. You miss this, you miss everything. Everyone seems to think that there’s a chance we’re gonna go away. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Stay sic and don’t ever judge us.”

Slayer, no strangers to Mayhem Fest, are also excited to be back. Guitarist Kerry King had this to say: “We can’t wait to get rolling on Mayhem 2012! Been 3 years since we played it last, and it’s gonna be brutal!!! You can’t go wrong with Slayer and Slipknot, pure f—ing mayhem!!!!

The dates, kicking off in late June on the West Coast and wrapping up in early August on the other side of the country, are listed below with venues coming soon. For all the latest ticketing info, head over to the tour’s official site.

What do you think? Is this the best Mayhem Fest lineup to date?

2012 Mayhem Festival Tour Dates:
6/30 – San Bernardino, CA
7/1 – San Francisco, CA
7/3 – Seattle, WA
7/6 – Phoenix, AZ
7/7 – Albuquerque, NM
7/8 – Denver, CO
7/10 – Dallas, TX
7/11 – Houston, TX
7/13 – Tampa, FL
7/14 – Atlanta, GA
7/15 – Indianapolis, IN
7/18 – Oklahoma City, OK
7/20 – St. Louis, MO
7/21 – Chicago, IL
7/22 – Detroit, MI
7/24 – Cincinnati, OH
7/25 – Cleveland, OH
7/27 – Philadelphia, PA
7/28 – Pittsburgh, PA
7/29 – Washington, DC
7/31 – Saratoga, NY
8/1 – Buffalo, NY
8/3 – Boston, MA
8/4 – Scranton, PA
8/5 – Hartford, CT

-loudwire.com