Let's use a medium/small venue like Brixton Academy as an example to discuss.

The last time I saw the band I was 15 and was there mainly to see/hear the performance so I made sure I was right in front of the stage.
Now I'm 19 and I'd say I have a lot more appreciation for detail in sound than I used to.

Does the position you are in the crowd effect what and how much you hear?

Also I remember the gig being very bass-heavy, does the bass drown out the other aspects of the music so that they can't be heard?

Id say in the middle about 10 to 15 m from the stage. This way the sound is crisp with the right amount of bass and you can still see the whole thing. I dont like to be right int the front since you dont capture all the dynamics, rather just be blinded by the flashing and distorted with bass

How are the moshers in the middle? Are they pushy and annoying?

All moshers are pushy and annoying.

Fuck moshers. I'd rather slip a security guy a tenner to let me sit on the other side of the barricade.

How easy is it to get caught punching a mosher in the face? There has got to be some moments where the crowd is pitch black, even if its for a few seconds. a nice uppercut to the chin or maybe a quick headbutt to the nose, followed by a huge boot up the nutsack. 3 seconds is all I need.

depends how much free space there is. for example in poland there was no room at all, so it was all pretty much a big moving sea of people. on the other hand every time in finland there's enough room to mosh and run around and crash into each other (which a lot of people did at the front)

doggystyle

Standing up, facing forward.

Be careful punching moshers in the dark, some wear spikes in their faces.

or like in Latvia where you lucky fucker where in the fan zone with 10 other people :D

the shows that i saw 'em at, there was no staying in one place. the entire crowd on the floor surged in all directions. like an ocean made of people and you had to just go with it. the only spot where you can stand was in the back. and who wants to stand all the way in the back? plus people were going crazy in the pit, but it wasn't overly aggressive where i felt threatened. as a matter of fact everyone around me were very friendly and protective over people who fell.

i always stand in front of the mixing desk

seating area is the best for me

yeya... that was the closest iv been, but the sound was distorted.
again the best distance would be like 10-20 m from the center of the stage. or like dirt said in the front of the mixing desk. really depends on where's the gig. im sure there's not much space to move at the more popular events

it also depends on the setlist - if its good, stand in the front, if its shit, stay at home

Agree!