Okay people â I went to Ozzfest but only managed to see two acts. Chalk it up to poor timing and only two available cashpoints (WTF?) I realise that the barrage of profanity hurtling my way is likely do some serious damage â perhaps I can provide some solace by saying that missing Murder Dolls (and even Steel Panther) forced me to give myself a mental slap in the face. Before you, reader and metal fan, become too pleased with my own-self berating; if I am honest, Korn was my top priority (call me a metal snob)and I as sure as hell did not miss them.
To start at the end: with Ozzy. The man is entertaining. The Prince of Darkness enthused (euphemism) the crowd as he stood mid-stage with arms lifted and golden firework sparkles raining down on him as the intro to the infamous “Mr Crowley” invaded the auditorium. Sadly, I canât give a heads-up on any other songs on the setlist as I donât know any (and Iâd be much obliged if I was not placed on the hit list of any psycho-fans out there⊠thanks in advance). The sixty-two-year old metal icon evil-eye balled crowd-members, irrespective of his slightly protruding jelly belly, the smiles in between songs, and the glistening silver angel wings on the back of his black shirt â you would be right if you think I am being a tad facetious, patronising perhaps. But he is just so⊠cute and loveable â like an old man should be. The fact of the matter is: Ozzy doesnât pull quite the same punch that he did back in his âSabbath daysâ. I will, however, dish out a double dose of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to Mr PoD for hauling together a great line-up for Ozzfest 2010, and for a stellar impersonation of Edward Cullen (featured in the hilarious promo vid before his performance). I am also glad I got to see the old git before he succeeds in kicking his perennial bucket.
Now for the important stuff (and if you donât like Korn â sorry for you!). Some people grew up with Sabbath, which makes Ozzy Osbourne special to the little old grandpa with the orange hat sitting amongst a pretty random mix of old and new-school metal fans collected to witness the legend of Ozzy. I grew up with Korn: call me a child of the 90s â a generation X-er if you like. So, for me, every Korn song has a special memory attached to it and when I hear those slapping bass riffs I like to bang my head as if it was still 1994 â and thatâs exactly what Ozzfest gave me the chance to do. In a nutshell: Jonathan Davis saves his energy for his singing and refrains from talking a bunch of bullshit (that a majority of megalomaniacal frontmen often like to do) and launches straight into âRight Nowâ. The band plays three songs off latest album Korn III: Remember Who You Are, including “Oildale (Leave Me Alone)” and âLet the Guilt Goâ. Korn favourite âFreak On A Leashâ is preceded by a killer drum solo by newest band member Ray Luzier (um⊠David who?) and fans are treated to JD on pipes for âShoots and Laddersâ. Other old tracks favoured by the band on Ozzfest night are âHere to Stayâ, âDid My Timeâ, âFalling Away From Meâ, âBlindâ and finale âGot the Lifeâ.
Some pyros, some KoĐŻn and a little bit (or a lot) of whiplash – YES PLEASE! What a party!
