Yes, I had a photo pass. I've freelanced for Magazines for years, plus I work at Yahoo, so the record labels always hook me up with photo passes to give their bands exposure. Alot of these photos will find their way onto the pages of Metal Edge in a couple of months.
As for the gear - Nothing special. Gear doesn't make the photographer, a keen eye and timing does. That would be like saying if you gave someone a really expensive brush and paints that they could create the Mona Lisa.
I use Nikon gear. I have a N90, 8008, and a D100. Lately I've been mostly using the D100 digital, because it's cheaper than film. Even though I still love film. I use film when I shoot sessions.