Just over a month ago was my loving partner's birthday. He and I are in two bands together (Shanghai, and The Red Room) and spend most of our spare time at gigs, listening to music, writing and/or recording, so it made perfect sense to buy him a ticket to the Slayer and Megadeth concert that was exactly one month from his birthday.

Funds were extremely low however and I was unable to buy myself a ticket but I knew that some friends of ours were already going and would keep him in good company. I would be the good girlfriend and come and pick their (most likely) drunken, sweaty bodies up after the show and drive them safely home.

However, on closer inspection, I realised that the date of which the concert was to be held was also in fact exactly 5 years since I planted a big wet one on him and told him that he was my boyfriend!

I immediately shot off an email to the powers that be to request a photopass for the show, waiting in high anticipation for the "A-OK". Weeks went by and I lost hope, resigning to the fact that I would have to wait around until it was time to subject myself the many tales of how "totally awesome" the show was.

As good fortune would have it though, 2 days before the big night, I received my confirmation email and I was granted photo pit access to capture the sheer brutality of two of the world's biggest metal bands: Slayer and Megadeth.

The sea of black, the denim vests, the long, often frizzy hair, the boots, the beer and the devil horns swarmed the Hordern Pavillion - a vast contrast to the warm, romantic, dinner I had previously envisioned for this relationship milestone - but much more exciting, intense and enjoyable.

I do not know these people but they were more than willing to pose!

You can view the full photosets here:

Slayer @ Hordern Pavillion 8 Oct 09

Megadeth @ Hordern Pavillion 8 Oct 09