OzzFest Afterthoughts

[Jim Price]

Some preliminary thoughts on OzzFest at Star Lake this past Saturday:

Overall I thought it was good. I liked that they ran all the second stage acts first, followed by the main stage, so people didn't have to run back and forth like it used to be in past OzzFests.

As far as the bands I saw:

Black Sabbath was good; Ozzy was coherent and actually seemed in control this night, he sort of reminded me of a Lawrence Welk type bandleader ("For our next song..."). His voice actually sounded decent overall (as good as Ozzy can sound, obviously he's no Pavarotti). Tony Iommi tore it up on guitar! My favorite moments were the sea of cigarette lighters illuminating the hillside during "War Pigs" and "Black Sabbath" - very powerful image!

Iron Maiden ruled, they did a lot of stuff off the first four albums, like "Phantom of the Opera," "Revelation," "Wrathchild," "Iron Maiden;" and "Running Free" and "Sanctuary" for their encore. Bruce Dickinson was running around like a sugared-up teenager, he still has the energy and voice! The guitars were dead on, the guitar harmonies were great! The towering 'Eddie' onstage during "Iron Maiden" was cool.

Mudvayne was okay, but not my thing (hardcore-flavored metal with screaming vocals, to me they sounded like everyone else doing it). They were good at what they did, it just wasn't my flavor.

Shadows Fall was the big discovery for me this year; it was the first time I had ever heard or seen them, and I was impressed. I'll probably buy their CD based on that set, good old-school-styled thrash metal.

Black Label Society was good, but it seemed more like the Zakk Wylde show than a full band effort, every song began and ended with him doing guitar solo stuff.

In Flames was okay for what I heard (I was in the concession area during most of their set).

On the second stage...

Rob Zombie kicked ass! I was 30 feet away from the stage, dodging mosh pits and assisting crowd surfers while taking pictures (they let non-professional cameras in). Zombie and his band did most of the major hits, including some White Zombie stuff. Not only was I impressed with the band, but I liked that Zombie himself was a personality and entertained the crowd.

Killswitch Engage was pretty good, it was my first look at them. They had the Pantera-like intensity thing going on; overall I liked.

As I Lay Dying was Cookie Monster metal that didn't do a lot for me, but they were good at what they did, and their singer was good at addressing and rallying the crowd.

Mastodon was okay for the two songs I heard (we went inside Star Lake during their set).

My only complaint about OzzFest was that the second stage was running about 15-20 minutes ahead of schedule, so if you planned on entering Star Lake to see a certain band according to the schedule, you probably missed most of their set by the time you got inside...

But overall, I enjoyed OzzFest. There didn't seem to be any major problems this year (no "projectile of the year," riots or bonfires). And once inside Star Lake, I only spent $6 the whole day (on two cokes, I resisted the urge to do the $5 and $7 beers or the overpriced food). Oh, but I did blow $35 on the souvenir OzzFest shirt, so I guess I did spend some money. Oh well...

And going to and from the event with The Grimm was a good time. Like their music, The Grimm's roadtrip to Star Lake was also a complex affair, including unexpected twists and turns and side journeys. ("Star Lake!? You're WAAAAYYY off!" said the kindly postman in Hopewell after we attempted to find the back way to Star Lake - what was that town in Egypt we were riding through, Imgrimm? LOL!)

Those were my initial thoughts on OzzFest...Those who attended, feel free to discuss below...

[JayBird]

Hey Ron - I have pics from the second stage and from the pit at the main stage. If you'd like me to send you them, let me know. I wasn't able to get Maiden pics, because they spotted me snapping pics of Mudvayne and they put an end to my photography. However, I busted the camera back out for Sabbath and was able to hurry in a few pics...some ok, some decent.

My favorite performance was Bury Your Dead...those guys are 100% showmen and Soilwork...these guys (along with Mudvayne) were my main reasons for going this year. I was also suprised by The Haunted and In Flames.

My overall opinion of the going trend for OzzFest...it's getting too hardcore, tight jean wearing, engineer hat wearing, lack of actual singing, every band almost sounds the same.

[GoneForever]

Bury Your Dead owned the 2nd stage.

[RAM Z]

I missed out on Ozzfest this year! Damn it!

I really wanted to see Iron Maiden. Ozzy and Zack are always good but, if ya saw them once the next time it'll be the same.
Zombie always freak'n rocks!

J.P., I totally love Shadows Fall and will tell ya you won't be sorry fer buy'n their stuff! Great guitar work! They do a very cool version of Welcome To The Machine by Pink Floyd!

[GoneForever]

Hey JP, Shadows Fall is playing the Crowbar tomorrow night, if you'd be interested in checking them out again. I'd def. recommend it. As good as they were at Ozzfest, they will be that much better in a club.

[Imgrimm01]

Ok Ok we got s little lost BUT we got there and J.P. remember my cunning friendship making skills got you a FREE Ka-bob and some potatoes from COMPLETE strangers... and atleast one of those strangers wasn't hard to look at either so were even in those regards! I Umlike J.P. felt embarassed for Ozzy I respect himfor all that he has done BUT he really needs to retire and if it's the touring he enjoys he could MC the event or something like that , I thought his vocals were flat for the entire set & he has some REAL bad shreiks during paranoid. ( sorry Jim Just my opinion) Maiden well OH MY GOD I have seen them twice and they are ine oif the best bands I have ever seen live ( barring RUSH and Queensryche) Like J.P. I thought Shadows Fall was incredible!! But again unlike him I thought Mudvayne was tight and I enjoyed them alot ( they got raped on sound ,there was NO bass to be found in the mix and for them that's bad because their bass player is awesome and his sound is such a huge part of their over all sound. BLS was a Zakk wank fest I mean come on he is a great guitar player BUT there is a band on stage who some of would like to see play, we don't need to see Zakk do a behind the head solo for 15 min. BUT overall I had a GREAT day there were many many HOTT honeys and clothing was optional for alot of them and ya know what ? That's OK with me... and although Dom may have a cigarette burn scar to forever remind him of the event, I have NO regrets!

[SATAN]

My thoughts goes as follows.

Second stage.
Highs
Trivium
Bury your dead
Arch enemy
Killswitch Engage
And of course Rob Zombie

Lows.
Almost every band on the second stage sounded the same. It dies today, mastodon, Black dahalia murder, a dozen furies, etc.
It like the 80's metal scene all over again but this time it's metal/scream core music. Don't get me wrong I like it but it's starting to get boring and redudent.

Main Stage.
Highs
Loved Iron Maiden, BLS(We could have done without the solos and played more music), Shadows fall was awesome(I wish I could grow dreads), and Sabbath was great.

Lows
Didn't care much for In Flames(like I said all starting to sound the same)


Hopefully next year(if there is a next year) Sharon will get some more diverse acts. I remember the first year Ozzfest came to Pitt
Type O Negative, Pantera, OZZY, Machinehead, Fear Factory, now that was an awesome OZZFEST. The next couple of years was awesome. But latley Ozzfest is becoming kind of bland. We need diverisity. Maybe I should have gone to Gigantour instead. However, one thing is for sure OZZY DOES RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


All in all still one good show.

SATAN B.B.S.

[KMFDM ROB]

Agreed, second stage kind of got old. The ONLY band that I was REALLY looking forward to was Soilwork. I really like them, and I think even in the metal/scream shit, they sound different. I missed them though

Rob Zombie was cool, but 2nd stage sucks, I mean no pyro, no naked biotches, no nothing, and that's not the Rob Zombie I want to see.

Okay, Main Stage, In Flames was okay if you're into that music.

BLS, this is where I go on a rant. I play guitar, I can play shred, I can solo all day long, but I generally do not go outside the bounds. You may do like a lick or something leading into a song like (okay, after this lick, 2 count, then into XXX song) or whatever...but the 5 minute guitar solos (or so it seemed) in between every song...old...fast. If I want to watch guitar solos all day, I'll watch Yngwie, Satch or Vai.

The "I'm a drunk tough ragged son of a bitch" look is getting really old. Now he has an attitude to go with it. Don't get me wrong, I like Zakk Wylde, but he's wearing on my last nerve.

I liked the show put on by Shadows Fall, though almost towards the end, it was getting old also. The guitar players are good, and I like how there are solos in the music, and they're not over the top.

Iron Freaking Maiden...holy crap. I'd never seen Iron Maiden before. Let me tell you though, they were AWESOME. They EASILLY were the highlight of the ENTIRE night. Yes, Ozzy, you and Sabbath were shown up by Maiden.

Sabbath, not too shabby this year! I've seen Ozzfest 96, 98, 99, 2001 2002 2003 2004 and 2005. I've seen Ozzy and Sabbath (obviously, by the years I've attended). I'd REALLY like to see OZZY again-not sabbath. It seemed Ozzy moved around more, which I guess is a plus (considering he usually stands there...then again, he is getting up there in years). I think the set was pretty good, though it seemed short, it actually seemed like Maiden had a short set too. I would have EASILLY been able to sit through 2 hours of Maiden.

Over all, was a good day. I really wish the line ups would kick more ass, I mean, I could have gone just for Maiden.

I think it's sad though, I'm looking forward to Gigantour more than Ozzfest. I'm not saying Megadeth is better than Maiden, but over all, the line up is good, and the ticket price (42) was really fair.

Just as I was going to complain about Ozzfest ticket prices, I thought of my Judas Priest and Queensryche tickets...2 bands...QR's set was like 1 hour long...75$. I've got tickets to see QR in Greensburg, I've got pretty damn good seats...40$

So, comparitively, my 153.51 (2 ozzfest Pavillion tickets along with...13.50$ in convenience charges per ticket) were a good value if you liked all the bands.

[poolpimp911]

wow what a day. I have to say that I knew that I was going to fork out some cash. But, that is not what I am bitching about it was the HOUR stand in line time for the food. What the hell they knew that there was going to be that many people and why dont they have more staff there oh well.

Second stage was better than the main stage. Bury your dead and the black dalia murder rulled. They were un real. Then that stupid band with Jada smith. what were they thinking I guess that anybody with money can do anything. I shit you not Will Smith was back stage he had his hand over his mouth so nobody would know it was him. Arch Enemy was a different sound I wonder is that chic sounds like a dude when you talk to her. Then Killswitch engage they played alot of their good songs but something just was not right they did not feel like they were trying too hard. I agree with everybody Zombie was good but where is the pryo naked women and other props.

Then Main stage BLS was ok but I agree with KMFDM ROB he needs help a band is a group not just one person. Sabbath was ok but I agree ozzy did not move around much he does a better show when it is just him.
I will be sure to to go back and see everything if there is another one.

Boy were the pits fun I was in one and then who do I see is JP I think he messed a few people up in one.

[KMFDM ROB]

Yeah, the food was bullshit.

KMFDM ROB's total food bill.

Hungry as soon as I got there. I tore down

Chicken sub 6$
Italian Sausage 3$
Pizza 5$
Water 3.25

Food trip two

Italian Sausage 3$
Pretzel 4$
Slushy (alcoholic) 11$

Food trip three,

Italian Sausage 3$
Water 3.25


On the way out, picked up another Sausage, actually 2, one for me, and one for Cortney. She ate a little less than me, only eating a pizza and an Italian Sausage (no way to make this sound non-sexual) sandwich. Had some water, and a soda.

I must have missed Jada Pinket's band. I heard about them, but didn't think it was true.

[rreihart]

My thoughts goes as follows.

Lows.
Almost every band on the second stage sounded the same. It dies today, mastodon, Black dahalia murder, a dozen furies, etc.
It like the 80's metal scene all over again but this time it's metal/scream core music. Don't get me wrong I like it but it's starting to get boring and redudent.

Lows
Didn't care much for In Flames(like I said all starting to sound the same)


Hopefully next year(if there is a next year) Sharon will get some more diverse acts. I remember the first year Ozzfest came to Pitt
Type O Negative, Pantera, OZZY, Machinehead, Fear Factory, now that was an awesome OZZFEST.


All in all still one good show.

Well, I think anyone who thinks Mastodon sounded anything like any of the other bands there must be crazy or high! They were by far and away the most rhytmically diverse and interesting band at the entire event...that's why I couldn't wait to see them. No drummer even came close to Mastodon's performance level.

If you knew anything about In Flames (like heard any of their CD's) I think you would agree with me when I say that they sounded the most like their CD than any band there. At times I felt like I was listenening to them on the world's largest stereo system, which is awesome.. I love when a band captures their true live performance aura in the studio, and they obviously have done so.

Yes, Ozzfest '97 (the year you are referencing) was absolutley AMAZING! All of the bands were kind of different in their own way, but the meshed together to make this unbeatable lineup that just pummeled you all day. A lof of band members did cameos with other bands that year which was very cool.

I agree with you, it was a great time!

[DisturbedViking]

Ozzfest was a great time this year. But i do have 3 things that i was not happy about; 1st I had to many ibuprofen and stackers to get in the door(about 50-200mg ib. and like 8 stackers) . The girl that checked me had to call another guy over to tell me it was to many, I was so pissed i said keep the damn things and walk threw them. This has never happened b4, ever to me And yet all I smelled all day was weed. These people they have checking pockets SUCK!!!! 2nd They were 15 min ahead of schedule which left them going by the times, 1 band a head of schedule. Me, Jaybird, and his lil lady were there a lil after 9 to see Trivium we had more than enuff time if they had started at 9:20, but we walked over the hill to hear them start there last song. This sucked!! 3rd Wicked Wisdom- If you were there then you know the sound was bad, not the band more with the vocals being to low. It seems like they were the only band that had low vocals. And there was 1 bad thing about the band, once again if you were there and seen and for some it might have been painful to watch, What the HELL was up with the white boy he might be able to play but thats it, he looked like a retard.


LOWS
to many ibuprofen (assholes)
15 min ahead of schedule
no Ozzfest shirt with all the bands this year
alot of the same sounding bands


HIGHS
found some nice stickers for my car
Zombie had John 5 with him
BLS
Mudvayne
Bury Your Dead
And the best thing of the whole day, while Jaybird n his lady were in the pit area with there FREE tickets. I seen, got a pic, and got to meet JULIYA from fuse. I was on cloud 9 for about 20 min then i rememberd that I had a DAMN sharpie in my pocket. I will be kick myself in the ass for years. I ended up grounding myself.

[DMFJ03]

Had I of went, the only band on the second stage I would have really wanted to see was Trivium. I love those guys. Seeing Zombie and Killswitch Engage have been awesome, but for me, Trivium would have been it.

[Diavolo]

Ozzfest highs:

- Iron Maiden - professional, tight and feature actual singing, a novelty nowadays
- Mastodon - missed most of their 20 minute set but they were on fire
- KSE - very good and high energy
- Black Sabbath - 3 out of 4 ain't bad
- The painted boobs on hot girls
- JP and The Grimm
- Shadows Fall drummer Jason Bittner

Ozzfest lows:

- Getting burned with a cigarette by an out of control waste of his Daddy's sperm. In retrospect I should not have let his buddies calm me down and should have beat his sorry ass. Then again, Maiden was on and I didn't want to get dragged out by security. I sincerely hope that looser fell into an alcohol induced coma after being gang raped while puking in the pristine Starlake bathrooms.
- Zakk Wylde - what an over-rated joke, he was like a caricature of metal
- The painted boobs on the old chick - her nipples were staring at the floor!
- The complete an utter lack of actual singing by 97% of the bands there (Ozzy doesn't count as singing or screaming, I wasn't sure what he was doing).
- getting lost in BFE and ultimately having a 5-hour drive to the show

[Staceman]

We got there a bit late, between 3:30 - 4:00, and thought we'd be able to catch the end of Zombie's set. When we finally got through the gate, BLS was in the middle of their set, so yeah, the ahead of schedule thing sucked.

But the main bands I went to see, Maiden and Sabbath, were excellent. Maiden doing Revelations blew me away! The other obscure gems were great too, especially Sanctuary.

Sabbath opening with N.I.B. was sweet, as well as After Forever and Electric Funeral. I still don't see why they insist on continuing to do Dirty Women; The song "Gypsy" would be a much better one to do from that album.

Since we got there so late, we had to park in the lot furthest away. Kind of sucked, BUT, we got to catch a great band playing in the parking lot from the back of a pickup, a band from the Pittsburgh area called "Mojo Fix". I thought that was a neat idea, and a great way of getting some more exposure.

[grimmbass]

Festival shows always SEEM like a good idea, but.....

I was not planning on doing Ozzfest this year until I heard that Soilwork, 'Maiden, and Mudvayne were to be on the bill. After doing a marathon 18-hour day, I understand why I don't like festival shows all that well:

-The lesser known bands got absolute shit sound
-20-minute sets barely even gave the groups time to get their groove on, though most groups persevered.
-Maybe I'm old, but I'd rather hear good-sounding sets from 3-4 bands than rushed production from a dozen.

Highs
-Maiden. They simply ruled. I wish this had been their show....I wanted more!
-Shadows Fall....5 foot-long dread locks and more energy than a nuclear power plant on steroids

Lows
-Ozzy: This poor guy has become the butt of his own joke. It's like laughing at a retarded man. Iommi and Butler looked like they were a bit ashamed to be out there with him.
-Black Label Society: Zakk's an awesome guitar player, but this slow, plodding metal punctuated by wanking guitar solos was as interesting as a mud pie in a rainstorm. C'mon Zakk...you can do better.
-Production: Ryan Martine from Mudvayne, arguably one of the best bassists in metal, was completely cut from the mix. His parts, which are crucial to their songs, were absent; I can't help but wonder if this was intentional (as Mudvayne preceeded two of the biggest bass heros in metal...Harris and Butler)
-Planning/scheduling: Due to the time changes on the main stage (and lack of a paper schedule upon arrival) we missed several of the bands we wanted to see.
-Stupid drunks: Dom's story says it all. Drinking is cool, but semi-comatose, annoying, unchecked drunks are not.
-Price gouging: From $12 parking to $5 cokes, these bastards raped us for every penny.

Small club shows are where it's at...I'm done with festival shows.

Well, at least until I forget again...

Kent

[KMFDM ROB]

Kent, I couldn't agree more. Every year, I say (this is my last ozzfest) then I go again, and go "I wish it had been XXXX bands show!!!".

The prices were ridiculous. I'm kind of depressed I didn't run into too many rock pagers

[Jim Price]

It looks like we might have seen one of the last performances of Ozzy as a regular Ozzfest headliner. As reported on my music news prep service at the station today:

"Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne announced on Friday (August 12th) that this year's OzzFest would be his last as a headliner, either with Sabbath or as a solo performer. Osbourne issued a statement that read, "After 10 years, the OzzFest's name and reputation have been established. It's time for me to move on and do other things." The statement added that OzzFest would return in 2006, but that Osbourne would limit his performances to only a few selected cities.

Black Sabbath has been forced to miss several OzzFest performances on this run due to Osbourne's ongoing health problems. In the latest incident, Osbourne blew out his voice and stormed offstage during a performance in Auburn, Washington on Thursday (August 11th), according to the News Tribune. A critic reviewing the show reported that Sabbath was into its fourth song of the evening when Osbourne's voice "cracked hideously." Osbourne walked off, leaving his bandmates to jam until he finally returned several minutes later."

[RobTheDrummer]

"After 10 years, the OzzFest's name and reputation have been established. It's time for me to move on and do other things."

Like what.....Croak?