Ozzfest is one of the most recognizable summer concerts series in the history of music. Chances are that even if you don’t like or know anything about heavy metal, you know the name of this festival. The festival got its start in the mid-90s when the organizers of the then-popular Lollapalooza festival wouldn’t let legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne on the bill.
Headlining his very own festival the tour has become a top grossing multimillion dollar machine that over the years has also included such artists as Korn, Marilyn Manson, Chevelle, POD, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and genre godfathers, Black Sabbath, among a host of others.
This year’s installment of Ozzfest has been one of the most controversial ones to date. This time the controversy stems from the problem of free tickets. All tickets to all festival dates were distributed free of charge through tour sponsors (most notably, Live Nation and Monster Energy Drink). While perhaps a good thought, it hasn’t worked out well as the print-them-yourself system initially crashed when Live Nation’s Web site become overwhelmed by ticket redemption.
e-Bay has also been problematic as people are printing out multiple copies of their tickets and attempting to sell them. If you have purchased a home-printed ticket, beware, as only the first barcode scanned will allow you access to the event. Despite the fact that 48 hours into ticket redemption all dates were announced as officially sold out, the organizers wisely withheld some tickets. It was announced after the tour had begun that you could still get tickets the day of the show at the venue while supplies last. So if you don’t have tickets and are up for an early morning, you still have a chance.
A lot has been said about this year’s lineup, as many of the bands are still trying to make a name for themselves and are relatively unknown. For me, this is the beauty of a festival. This is how you can discover a whole new world of bands you love while still seeing major mainstage players like Lamb of God, Static X, and the Ozzman himself, all of which are the bands you are likely familiar with.
As a music writer, I have attended the last six Ozzfests and am familiar with all of the bands on this year’s bill, so let me say this plain and simple: If you are a fan of heavy metal or hard music, then do not miss this year’s Ozzfest, as it is easily the best lineup they have had in years.
2007’s second stage, featuring bands on the rise, features Nile, Ankla, The Showdown, 3 Inches of Blood, Daath, Chthonic and In This Moment in revolving 20-minutes slots while the stage is headlined by Devildriver (who last week stepped in to replace Nick Oliveri’s Mondo Generator), Behemoth and Hatebreed.
While all of these bands are worth your time, I highly suggest checking out Chthonic (pronounced Thonic). This Asian extreme metal band is hailed in their home as the “Black Sabbath of Asia” and have been making noise elsewhere in the world due to their heavy and fats style as well as their use of some traditional Asian instruments.
I also suggest not missing In This Moment, a critically acclaimed new band fronted by Maria Brink. Their sound is a bit more likely to be heard on the radio than some of the other bands and their energy is infectious. Christian rockers The Showdown may be the odd man out this year due to their lyrical approach, but don’t underestimate them, as they put on a great show.
This year’s mainstage isn’t as traditional as the last few have tours have been. There are no classic bands aboard (i.e., Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Iron Maiden, etc.) and no flavor-of-the-moment bands, but what you get is a solid night of mid-level performers capped off by Osbourne & Co.
Opening the stage are Finland’s Lordi. Lordi are winners of the Eurovision song contest and will certainly be an interesting set. The band dress up like monsters (similar to Gwar in presentation) and boast a straightforward hard rock sound akin to Motorhead and Twisted Sister.
Static X will also appear early on in the evening. The band has a fresh new album entitled “Cannibal” and is enjoying a resurgence in popularity after a hiatus.
In direct support to Osbourne is Lamb of God, certainly one of the most critically acclaimed bands in heavy music right now. The night is brought to a close, of course, by the touring festival’s namesake, this year performing as a solo artist in support of his latest studio effort, “Black Rain.”
All in all, this is a great lineup that will undoubtedly exceed the expectations of fans of heavy music. This is a year that you really have to take a chance and go check it out for yourself, but if you take my word for it, then I know you’ll come home happy with a ton of new favorite bands.
This year’s stop rolls into Post-Gazette Pavilion (Star Lake) in Burgettstown, Pa., on Aug. 24. The show starts at noon and gates open an hour before.
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Submitted Photo
August 15, 2007
Ozzfest’s ‘Freefest’ rolls into area Aug. 24
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Listen to the music playing in your head
Summer is the perfect time for outdoor concerts. And North Central West Virginia is conveniently located amid the many venues that offer music ranging from country to pop to rock and more.
The following is a list of concerts scheduled throughout the summer in the area. -
TRF: three days of excitement
Whether you like country, pop or magic, you will enjoy the entertainment at this year's Three Rivers Festival.
From now through Saturday night, Palatine Park will be a hub of music, laughter and excitement at the 30th annual festival.
The following entertainment will take place at the Palatine Park Main Stage and is free of charge. -
Town & Gown Players set summer productions
The play’s the thing this summer, courtesy of the FSU School of Fine Arts and Town & Gown Players.
• “Always, Patsy Cline” will be presented at 8 p.m. May 30-31 and June 4-6, 12-13 at the Pricketts Fort State Park Amphitheatre.
Directed by Troy Snyder, this is the story of the friendship between Houston housewife Louise Seger and legendary country singer Patsy Cline. - Fairmont filmmaker part of ‘Faces of Schlock’ premiere in Morgantown The Warner Theatre in Morgantown will host the world premiere screening of “Faces of Schlock” at midnight Saturday. The film is a horror-comedy anthology, featuring four different short films from horror directors from four different states, including West Virginia filmmaker Justin Channell, Henrique Couto (Ohio), Chris LaMartina (Maryland) and Andrew Shearer (Georgia).
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Tony Orlando kicks off WVPT summer season May 15
No entertainer can move and excite an audience like Tony Orlando. One of America’s most endearing and enduring stars. Tony and America celebrated the 34th anniversary of his recording of “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.”
Orlando will kick off the summer season for West Virginia Public Theatre’s 25th anniversary at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Chestnut Ridge Community Church Threatre, 2223 Cheat Road, Morgantown. -
Mountain Lakes Amphitheater has music for you this summer
If you like country, bluegrass or gospel music, Mountain Lakes Amphitheater has what you want.
The entertainment complex, located in Sutton, kicks off its 2009 concert season.
• May 9: Country star Randy Travis at 7 p.m. Opening act is The Davisson Brothers. Advance tickets are $35. -
‘Rat Pack Is Back’ goes beyond cool at the CAC
The Rat Pack — Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, Dean Martin and “the chairman of the board” Frank Sinatra — was the ultimate in cool and hip. In the 1960s, the four sang, bantered and joked their way on stages in Vegas and around the world.
The “swingin’ and swaggerin’ of old Las Vegas nightlife” is coming to Morgantown when “The Rat Pack is Back: The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean” hits the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center stage. -
Memories of Number 9
A play to be performed at Fairmont State will explore the memories and effects of the 1968 Farmington Number Nine mine disaster.
“Stories from the Farmington Mine Disaster,” a devised performance piece, will be presented May 1-2 and 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. and May 3 at 2 p.m. in Room 314 of Wallman Hall. -
‘So you want to be your own ...’
Building your dream house should not be a nightmare.
Fairmont native Dave Rudy has written a book — inspired by his own experiences — on how to have your house built. from deciding what style and where to build to what to build with to financing to even legal recourse. -
Come and listen to a story
Looking for something different to do this weekend?
Come listen to some blues. Listen to some stories.
The West Virginia Blues Society is holding a “Blues Night Out” Saturday at Christopher’s Banquet & Conference Center, 104 Van Kirk Drive, Fairmont. - More Ticket Headlines
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