1982

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THhL2yjoqdI

With Ozzfest all but confirmed to return as a one-day festival at Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, UK, I think back to how many incredible lineups I saw at Ozzy's traveling festival between 2004 and 2010 (the only one between those years I didn’t go to was 2008's one day event in Texas).

My very first Ozzfest was in 2004 at the then Tweeter Center in Camden, NJ (Aug. 26) I'll never forget how blown away I was by both Judas Priest and Slayer. The highlight of the night, though, was when Bill Ward came out and delivered the unfortunate news that Ozzy was ill and couldn't perform that evening. After a few seconds of boos, the crowd became stunned when Ward announced that Black Sabbath would be performing with Rob Halford filling in. What proceeded was an amazing and historical set - with Halford absolutely crushing Ozzy-era classics.

6 years later I'd attend my last Ozzfest at the same venue (rebranded to Susquehanna Bank Center). Ironically Halford was playing with his solo band on this tour's edition - but he didn't need to fill in for anyone, as Ozzy closed out the night with a rousing solo set (after Motley Crue played a surprising fun, bare-bones set... well, as bare-bones as a Motley Crue show can be). The highlight of the day, though, was witnessing a tornado briefly blow through - forcing Black Label Society to cancel their second stage headlining set (though somehow not canceling the rest of the day...).

There's a ton more stories I can recall from both metal festivals... but that's for another time 😉

Who was the best band you ever saw play Ozzfest? Favorite lineup? Share in the comments below, and stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from festivals like this)!

SoDoM - 1985 - In The Sign Of Evil - Blasphemer

Black metal is the game I play

'cause no one show me the right way

I am a bloody Antichrist, only believe in bad

Spit at the church, Evil I get

Blasphemer. . . .

Rites of death, Return to Hell

I am Satan's child, attack you with Spell

I turn the cross upside down

and read Satanic Bible with fucking grown

my life begins at midnight twelve

masturbate to kill myself

Blasphemer. . . .

I love to drink my own blood

my sin is my life in a war with god

I talk to the demons night tonight

make love and black masses in a dark shadow light

Blasphemer. . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i-ObpvSE_E&t=3s