Summer music fests: Heavy metal, country

Summer is the season to take it easy, a time of relaxation, calm reflection, and the soothing sounds of . . . heavy metal!

Because summer also brings countless music festivals, where fans of all genres can get their kicks, with or without air conditioning.

The Gigantour concert - held Friday, July 19, 2013, at The Rave in Milwaukee - featured Megadeth guitarist Dave Mustaine (left).

Bassist David Ellefson and drummer Shawn Drover of Megadeth perform in Gigantour at The Rave, Milwaukee, July 19, 2013.

Heavy metal fans attend the Gigantour concert headlined by Megadeth, at The Rave in Milwaukee, July 19, 2013.

Left: Chris Broderick of Megadeth.

Begun in 2005, Gigantour is a traveling music festival that features several top heavy metal bands. This year's lineup includes Device, Hellyeah, Newsted, Death Division, and Black Label Society, with dates throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Dave Mustaine, one of the founding members of Metallica, formed Megadeth with his friend Dave Ellefson after being fired from his original band.

Since 1983, Megadeth has undergone numerous roster changes, but has maintained its standing as one of the leading heavy metal bands, selling more than 50 million records worldwide.

The scene at the Rave in Milwaukee.

A heavy metal fan.

Also on the Gigantour: The Los Angeles-based Black Label Society, featuring Zakk Wylde.

Guitarist Nick Catanese of Black Label Society performs at Gigantour at The Rave, in Milwaukee, July 19, 2013.

Bass guitarist John DeServio of Black Label Society, performing at Gigantour at The Rave in Milwaukee, July 19, 2013.

Zakk Wylde, a former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, performs in his band Black Label Society, at Gigantour at The Rave, in Mulwaukee, July 19, 2013.

Heavy metal stage accoutrements.

On July 18-21, 2013, Twin Lakes, Wis., hosted Country Thunder, a festival of country music featuring such artists as Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Jake Owen.

Fans attend the Country Thunder music festival at Twin Lakes, Wis., Sat., July 20, 2013.

Brad Paisley performed at Country Thunder on Saturday, July 20, 2013.

Temperatures in Twin Lakes, Wis., were in the 80s on Saturday, making pools -- even extremely shallow ones -- a necessity.

Cooling beverages were consumed.

Lee Brice performs at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wis., on Saturday, July 20, 2013.

Headliner Brad Paisley performs at Country Thunder on Sat., July 20, 2013.

The stage at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wis.

Headliner Brad Paisley performs at Country Thunder on Sat., July 20, 2013.

Chris Young performs at Country Thunder on Sat., July 20, 2013, in Twin Lakes, Wis.

A fan is silhouetted against the dying light at Country Thunder, Sat., July 20, 2013.