Randy Blythe made a long post on his blog today that is too long to repost in full, but he makes some good points.
http://randonesia.tumblr.com/post/50484825253/be-carefully
Personally, I've never been a fan of pits, moshing, stage diving or crowd surfing. It distracts from the show. One of the worst experiences I've ever had at a show was a small club in NOLA for The Sword. I was up front head banging, and jamming to the band when a bit broke out right behind me and I got the wind taken out of me after getting slammed into the waist high stage. I went over to the side of the club after that, not really enjoying the show much the rest of the night. It's just not much fun having to worry about getting slammed into the barricade by a mosh pit, getting kicked in the face by a stage diver or worse when you're up front at a show. This is why I make it a point to never go to hardcore shows....if I go to a show, I want to see the band not some crazy pit with the band somewhere in the middle of it. One thing Randy points out that I don't see a lot of is that bands need to watch out for their fans. I've seen bands on stage that looked like they couldn't give a fuck what happens out there.....and probably didn't. And I've also been at shows where bands actively had guys kicked out because they were fucking with people and security missed it. I for one am for safer metal shows, and even though I'm not a fan of Lamb of God that much, I respect Randy Blythe for this.
http://randonesia.tumblr.com/post/50484825253/be-carefully
If you are in a band, remember what has happened to me, to Daniel, and to his family. If you are playing a show, make sure that security is adequate and that barricades are properly placed. A dead fan of my band would still be alive today if those two things had been in place in Prague that night in 2010. I never saw that stage before I set foot on it, and I wish I could go back in time, inspect that nightmare set up, let the people in charge know that they did not fulfill a vital part of the contract we sent out, tell my crew to pull our gear out of there, and leave that town. But I cannot go back in time, I never had the chance to see that stage, Daniel is dead, and I can only warn you band guys and girls to make sure the venue and promoter are holding up their end of the contract. Do not settle for less. This is a matter of life and death, as I can sadly attest.
If you are a promoter or club manager/owner, make sure your security and barricades are sufficient for the event you will be having on any given night. Security is there to protect the band, the fans, and your business. If you cannot provide a safe environment for a show that requires security and barricades, do not have it. You have no business playing around with peoples lives for a few extra dollars. No amount of money is worth the risk of someone dying in your establishment. Your club will probably shut down anyway, because no one will want to play there. All of us in bands talk amongst each other, and if youre shady, we will all eventually know.
If you are a fan coming to a Lamb of God show and are planning on stage diving, know that in no uncertain terms you are not welcome on our stage. Some bands encourage fans on stage- I know a few, and that is their prerogative. As a band we have never allowed or encouraged fans to come onstage- its impossible to play and dangerous for us and the fans if someone is running all over the place knocking into us and the equipment. Now, with all that has happened, this policy is in place more than ever. Absolutely no one is welcome on the stage if we have not invited you up there, and unless you are a small child or in a wheel chair, that is not likely to happen. Please respect this. If you do take the stage, we will immediately stop playing, you will be removed from the stage with great swiftness ,and thrown out of the show with no refund, no questions asked. I do not care one bit if anyone thinks Im being a jerk for writing this or feels I am being harsh. I have been through hell over the last year, I did my best to do the right thing, I am still trying my best to do the right thing, and anyone who cannot understand why we as a band feel this way is a complete and utter idiot who probably shouldnt be allowed to leave their house anyway. So try not to ruin everybody elses good time, ok? People pay their hard earned money to see a show, not you interrupt a bands set while you make jackass out of yourself. You buying a ticket does not entitle you to get on stage.
If you are a fan and are going to a lamb of god show or ANY SHOW where there will be moshing, crowd surfing, etc.- know that what you are doing carries a risk. Use your brain- if it is too rough for you, get out before you get hurt. If you are wasted on whatever, please realize that you are not a stuntman, sit your ass down at the bar, and relax. Being obliterated is not conducive to injury free concert activities. Also, for Petes sake, if you are moshing and someone falls down, PICK THEM UP. We have stopped shows before because people have been getting hurt, and we will do it again. This is our community, and we should take care of each other. A show is a place we are supposed to be together, having a good time, supporting one another. The real world will beat you down enough- we dont need to get stomped on at a show. Give each other a hand.
If you want to crowd surf, know this- if someone drops you, you could die. Instantly. Thats just the truth. I dont know any other way to say it.
Please dont drive home if you are drunk. Assuming you dont die, you could kill someone else and wind up in prison. Prison is not a fun place to be. Just take my word on it, ok?
I am not writing all of this to tell people to not have fun, to not get out aggression in a healthy way, or to be a joy kill. Im not telling you what to do (except to stay off our stage), because that does no good. Plus, I have more scars and badly healed aching bones from shows than I can count. I am just like you, a fan of this music who loves to have a good time at a show. Im just begging you please to use your head and to be respectful of others. I love the energy of a good show, I love providing the fans with the same cathartic release Ive gotten from watching bands so many times, I love leaving it all on the floor for the people. Its what I do, and I love it.
Personally, I've never been a fan of pits, moshing, stage diving or crowd surfing. It distracts from the show. One of the worst experiences I've ever had at a show was a small club in NOLA for The Sword. I was up front head banging, and jamming to the band when a bit broke out right behind me and I got the wind taken out of me after getting slammed into the waist high stage. I went over to the side of the club after that, not really enjoying the show much the rest of the night. It's just not much fun having to worry about getting slammed into the barricade by a mosh pit, getting kicked in the face by a stage diver or worse when you're up front at a show. This is why I make it a point to never go to hardcore shows....if I go to a show, I want to see the band not some crazy pit with the band somewhere in the middle of it. One thing Randy points out that I don't see a lot of is that bands need to watch out for their fans. I've seen bands on stage that looked like they couldn't give a fuck what happens out there.....and probably didn't. And I've also been at shows where bands actively had guys kicked out because they were fucking with people and security missed it. I for one am for safer metal shows, and even though I'm not a fan of Lamb of God that much, I respect Randy Blythe for this.