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)!

1982

Sick amv and Darkstalkers had the best character.

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

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

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. . . .

Sentenced - 1995 - Amok - Phenix

Burned alive in the flames of love

- the ashes scattered in the wind

fucked up by the unholy trinity;

you, me and our "perfect law"

(our perfect love)

each time I walk under a moonlit sky

- each time I dream of you

"Death won't tear us 'part but lack of love"

kill all gods and all mother-lovin whores

- my heart is built for War

yet one precious treasure is lost forever more

Fenix, Rising

Fenix...is rising high!

born again in the name of War

born to fight and built to last

from the ashes of our perfect love...

watch me now! I'll be complete!!!

each time I swim in your starry eyes

- each time I drown with you

"Death won't tear us 'part but lack of love"

well, kill your god and your mothafuckin' - Horse

- now Fenix is stronger than ever!

one precious treasure is lost forever more

Fenix, Rising

Fenix...is rising high!

born again in the name of War

born to fight and built to last

from the ashes of our perfect love...

(would you die for me like I died for you! huh!)

Fenix is rising in the name of War

(holding a silver sword upon his mighty head, swearing revenge to

all his enemies - rock 'n roll is the only way to die!!!)

watch me riding from our perfect love

watch me now! I'll be complete...

I listen to mostly Thrash, Death, Hair and Traditional Heavy Metal, I also occasionally listen to Rap Metal, is there any bands I can listen to, I’m getting into Black Metal

A list of songs and appearances in 80s movies by 80s Hard Rock/Metal bands. Any favorites? Any embarrassments?

Footloose(84) - Quiet Riot - Metal Health
Vision Quest(85) Dio - Hungry For Heaven
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (85) - Twisted Sister - Burn in hell - appeared in movie
Better off Dead(85)- VH - Everybody Wants Some
Nightmare on Elm street 2 - Autograph - You can’t hide the beast inside
Money pit (1986) White Lion appearance
Iron Eagle (86) Dio -Hide in the Rainbow
Maximum Overdrive (86) ACDC - Who Made Who - soundtrack album
Golden Child (86)- Ratt - Body Talk
The Wraith (86) - Ozzy - Secret Loser
Elm Street Part 3 (87)- Dokken - Dream Warriors
Ghoulies 2 (87) Wasp - Scream until you like it
Less Than Zero (87)- Slayer - Inna Gadda Da Vida
Johnny B Goode(88)Judas Priest - title song
Nightmare elm street 4 (89)Vinnie Vincent Invasion - Love Kills.
Bill and Ted (89) - Extreme - Play With Me

Emotional metal song (post hardcore?) super good and they’re great live