You've got to hand it to Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of Ozzy Osbourne. She really knows how to keep Ozzy not only in the game, but still vital. The Ozzfest is already an institution, coupling Ozzy and/or the almighty Black Sabbath sets with a full-day of cutting edge hard rock (dare we say metal anymore?). And each year it gets better and better.
Fortunately I attended the second of days in this area and avoided the 95 degree heat that plagued the first day. Its always fun walking around the Never Never Land amusements between the main and side-stage, where various booths supply revelers with games, activities, refreshments (like the $6 soda), tour merchandise, etc. And of course, the BODY-PAINTING BOOTH! Hands down, my favorite place to kill time waiting for the best acts where women of all shapes and sizes bare their breasts (and sometimes even more) to be painted up. What a concept! Bring your cameras, guys!
In addition to the breasts, some of the bands (there were bands? Just kidding!) were fantastic! Co-head-liner Rob Zombie rocked the house with a red hot set that was more White Zombie than White Zombie has been in years! Employing a giant screen displaying great old weird horror movie footage, giant light-up 666 Vegas props, and two gorgeous (and eerily synchronized) go-go dancers, Zombie kicked the rabid crowd in the ass with a half-White Zombie, half-Hellbilly Deluxe set.
Vocally, Zombie was no Pavorotti, but when has he ever been? And for a guy as established and respected as Zombie, he seemed to keep mentioning Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne for cheap applause quite often. But, still a great time was had by all, and Zombie is a true professional in the theatrical rock department, worthy of Cooper and well above Manson.
And, of course, we save the best for last, which is why I've waited until now to talk about the true kings of the Ozzfest and of metal, hard rock, or whatever you want to call this music in general -BLACK SABBATH!!! Not straying much from the set played a few months back at the Meadowlands and the Nassau Coliseum (except for the unfortunate omission of "Dirty Women"), Sabbath arose out of the floor as the air-raid sirens howled to signal the beginning of "War Pigs."
The entire time I kept thinking about being in high school and how important this band's music became to me then (and really never stopped), and how I never thought I'd ever get a chance to see the REAL Black Sabbath -Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler-live on stage together. And they sounded amazing, much better than on the abominable Reunion album. Ozzy was surprisingly on vocally. Sure, a few cracks here and there, but overall he had good command of the songs - and the lyrics (he didn't even have to read the monitor for the words to "Into The Void"), although his stage dialogue left a little to be desired. I don't think I've ever heard Ozzy's speaking voice so unintelligible (and that speaks volumes!). I was convinced at one point he was actually speaking French!
Tony's riffs thundered over Geezer's solid booming bass. Interestingly enough, this time around Ozzy gave Tony a guitar solo (though probably a concession that Ozzy himself needed as much as Tony). Even more interesting is the solo being mostly phrases from "Die Young" (a Ronnie James Dio-era number, for the uninitiated). The horror of it all! Tony playing Dio material on Ozzy's stage! Of course, Tony led safely back to the opening chords of "Snowblind" as Ozzy bellowed 'Mr. Tony Iommi!!!', most likely oblivious as to what that little piece of music was.
And Bill Ward - for a guy that everyone seems to have written off as near death (apparently former Sab replacement Vinny Appice is touring with them, credited as 'drummer if needed,' i.e. in case Bill keels over!) he was very solid and on the money. Not that Ozzy didn't seem to be trying to kill him! When introducing the band, Ozzy called out "Mr. Bill Ward!", which prompted Bill to stand up from the drum stool and wave then sit down. Then Ozzy called out again, "Mr. Bill Ward!" making Bill stand up again. Then a third time, then a fourth! Without exaggeration, he must've done that fourteen times! Now, even though it was cooler than the first show two nights ago, it was still balmy, hot summer weather. So, here's Bill - after two heart attacks, with a replacement drummer waiting in the wings like a circling buzzard, looking spent from years of hard living and with flab-breasts so big that the body-painting booth should have done him up - doing Ozzy Osbourne aerobics! It seemed like a gargantuan effort for him to stand up just once! I was frankly startled he was touring at all! Hanging with these guys is seriously bad for this Bill's health! I guess Ozzy figures splitting the money three ways is better than four!
The one thing I didn't appreciate is being teased during the encores. After "Iron Man," and "Children of the Grave," they left, came back, and we all know what comes next - the inevitable "Paranoid." A great song, but one we've heard a thousand times over the years. Instead, Tony, Geezer, and Bill start ripping into "Supernaut"! So, I'm here having a heart attack worthy of Bill Ward as every jaw drops, but then just before the vocals start...it turns into just plain old "Paranoid." Was that supposed to be funny? And I wouldn't mind, but it sounded sooooo good, too. It wouldn't hurt them to drop in another chestnut at the end just before "Paranoid". But, hey, who am I to bitch? This is the REAL BLACK SABBATH, alive and kicking my ass. They can play whatever the hell they want! I've seen the real Sab (twice now). I guess I can now die fulfilled. "Thank you, good night, we love you all..."