OZZFEST 2008…METALLICA AND OZZY OSBOURNE RAISE THE TEMPERATURE ON THE PLANET AT ONE-DAY STADIUM SPECTACULAR

It was a great day in Dallas.

The temperature: hot. The music: on fire. The crowd response: absolutely thunderous.

OZZFEST 2008 knocked it out of the park when two of the most colossal names in rock n’ roll–Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne–came together for a one-day stadium spectacular that was the defining metal event of the year. The AEG Live-promoted show on Saturday, August 9 grossed nearly $3.5 million and almost 30,000 fans got to experience a 13-hour show filled with legends, cutting-edge acts and OZZFEST alumni who ignited three stages at Pizza Hut Park in the hard music-loving state of Texas, including one devoted to the state’s bands.

Fans and critics agreed that both Ozzy (in his only U.S. concert appearance through the end of 2008) and Metallica (in their OZZFEST debut) delivered powerful and memorable sets. “Ozzy’s turn was his best in the area in years,” said Mike Daniel in his review of the show in the DALLAS MORNING NEWS (8/10/08), adding “…it was dramatic and brooding yet fun as a whole, especially during fantastic turns through ‘Bark at the Moon’ and ‘Suicide Solution.’” Writing in the FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM about Metallica’s set, Teresa Gubbins noted that “…Metallica’s performance was so sharp and intense, it could’ve cut glass. (8/11/08)”

Before the sun went down, the day had an emotional moment when Hellyeah’s set transitioned into a special one-time only all-star tribute to fallen Pantera guitarist and Texas native “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. The four-song tribute featured three Pantera classics (”Mouth for War,” “A New Level” and “Fucking Hostile”) and a moving version of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.” As musicians celebrated the achievements of Dimebag–whose December 2004 murder while performing onstage at a Columbus, Ohio club still has the hard rock/metal community reeling– video images of his life were shown on stage.

The musicians participating in the all-star tribute to Dimebag Darrell Abbott were:
Kerry King (Slayer) Scott Ian (Anthrax)
King Diamond Vinnie Paul (Pantera/Hellyeah)
Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) Mike Inez (Alice in Chains/Ozzy)
Lars Ulrich (Metallica) Nick Bowcott (Grim Reaper)
Chad Gray (Mudvayne/Hell Yeah) Bob Zilla (Damageplan/Hellyeah)
Max Cavalera (Sepultura/Soulfly/Cavalera Conspiracy)
Igor Cavalera (Sepultura/Cavalera Conspiracy)

“This year’s Ozzfest was a huge success,” said Sharon, “and we couldn’t be happier. There were so many great moments. We’re looking forward to coming back to Dallas next summer and hopefully expanding it to a two-day event.”

“Dallas was definitely the rock n’ roll capital of the world last Saturday,” said Randy Phillips, President and CEO of AEG Live. “Pairing Ozzy with Metallica, along with so many other great acts, was a match made in heaven for the 30,000 hardcore fans who were banging their heads at Ozzfest 2008. We can’t wait to see what Ozzy has up his sleeve for 2009, as Ozzfest just keeps getting more exciting every year.”

Why is OZZFEST such a unique event? It’s because of the family spirit th at surrounds the festival, and this year’s dynamic line-up encompassed artists who’ve played OZZFest before in different incarnations such as Serj Tankian (System of a Down); Robert Trujillo (Ozzy and now with Metallica), Jonathan Davis (Korn); Hellyeah’s Vinnie Paul (Pantera) and Chad Gray (Mudvayne); Kingdom of Sorrow’s Jamie Jasta (Hatebreed) and Kirk Windstein (Down); and Max Cavalera (Soulfly, Sepultura) of Cavalara Conspiracy. Other OZZFest graduates include Shadows Fall, Sevendust, Devildriver, Drowning Pool and In This Moment. The full line-up for OZZFEST 2008 was:

MAIN STAGE
Metallica ;
Ozzy Osbourne
Serj Tankian
Hell Yeah
Johnathan Davis
Cavalera Conspiracy
Shadows Fall
Apocalyptica
In This Moment

2ND STAGE
Sevendust
Devildriver
Kingdom Of Sorrow
Soilent Green
Witchcraft
Goatwhore

3RD STAGE
The Sword
Drowning Pool
Rigor Mortis
Within Chaos
Destro
Battle of The Bands Winners:
Debris (1st Place)
Black Tooth (2nd Place)

More than 13 years after Ozzy Osbourne started OZZFest, it remains the defining blueprint for hard rock tours and festivals that have come along since, and it has opened the door for so many of today’s hard rock and metal bands. This year’s OZZFest sponsors included Jägermeister, Monster Energy Drink, ESP Guitars and title sponsor Affliction Clothing.