Ozzfest review

Sat, 20 Aug 2005 16:29:15 GMT

I just completed my ozzfest 2005 review. Here is the permalink to it.

[link]

Ozzfest 2005

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 02:23:44 GMT

Bristow, VA July 24 2005
Ozzfest 2005 featuring Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Black Label Society (these were my wanna see bands). Three words - Pure <bleeeeep> Armageddon! -or- Magic and Mayhem!

Here is my review -
It was as hot as purgatory, the heat sweltered and fashioned long lines at the beer stands. We were all on a high - a high that we were to have, probably, the best spots in the big top to see the big two - Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. Enthusiasm ran as high as the mercury in the thermometers. The second stage was where most of the action resides during the day and it was here that eddies of heat and dust swirled around frenzied fans as they moshed their heart out to nameless metalcore/hardcore bands. The FYE and official merchnadise tents received continued patronage as rabid fans lapped favorite band merchandise. I bestowed upon these stores my financial blessing through purchases of an awesome breath taking european issue of the current Iron Maiden tour. Fresh on the tracks of the recent Iommi release (which I love for its crushing riffs and rhythm section), I now own an Iommi shirt too. We were, of course, beguiled by our enthusiasm into buying BLS CDs in the hope of meeting the one, the only shred master - Zakk Wylde. To our anguish, we found that we were not the chosen few who actually got to meet and greet Zakk. But we did find convenient spots just outside the signing tent to catch a good glimpse of the 6+ foot beer guzzling guitar god. Soon after, we decided to skip Rob Zombie's act though I really wanted to see him perform a couple of songs that I like so that we could get real up close to the stage when the main stage acts came out to strut their stuff. It was during this wait that something that I have always noticed in almost all the concerts that I have attended - american fascination with neo-metal they have dubbed metalcore. The very existence of this genre, its purpose, its appeal totally escapes my mental faculties. Band after band sounding just the same with the same approach to song construction where the motto is 'its show business'. I have to draw special attention to two of these bands that made it to the main stage - Mudvayne and Shadows Fall. Shadows Fall hail from Massachussetts and the vocalist has the longest hair I have ever seen on a man/woman/animal. At 6+ feet, his hair in dreadlocks cascades down to his lower thigh/knee. But I just wish the music stood as tall as his did. The sooner the shadows fall on this band the better. Mudvayne was very experiental and their music deserved as much respect as their clown/gorilla suits. But the adoring american public gave these bands a lot of support while I watched impassively, all the while awaiting the arrival of the metal titans.
Before these clowns took the stage - the doom crew set up the BLS stage and with a flash Zakk was upon the crowd belting out awesome songs while working his guitar into a frenzy. You should have been there to see his wizardry on the fretboard - it was uplifting, exhilarating, contorted string bending orgasms with his (atleast I think it is) southernish accent singing about doom, death, war and angst against the ills of society. This guy is one cool dude - absolutely no airs, very connected with his fans and he knows he can play the guitar like no one. His show I shall not forget for a very long time to come. After his set was done, he hi-fived all the foaming-at-the-mouth fans (like me) at the front of the stage and took the doom crew with him as he left only to be followed by clowns. We were left berrating the fate of classic heavy metal when stalwarts of this genre retire.

As the clowns departed and the chosen moment drew nigh, the crowds surged against the barricades awaiting their overlords - the one, the only Iron Maiden. I have seen them 4 times till date and to me they are simply the best there was, the best there is, the best there will be. Fifty-five year old timers have more energy than this 24 year old young man. "Doctor, Doctor......" flitted out from the speakers and I knew from past experience that this was it, mayhem was about to descend on the crowd. With ear spliting screams from Bruce, all six charged out like bullets from a six-shooter and it was hard to figure out the proceedings for a few minutes as they all ran around all the time playing and singing. Bruce, as usual, was himself - simply the most energetic, comical, cynical vocalist with mind blowing power, range and melody. If you guys have seen "Pulp Fiction" then you will recollect this - 'some people think that they age fine like wine. But the truth is that most of them sour and turn out like vinegar.'. Bruce, on the other hand, has aged and matured to perfection. All the guitaristos - Adrian, Murray and Janick dazzled. Murray, to me, is like this kindly looking gentle guitar giant. He gently struts as though he were ball room dancing rather than belting out giddying solos. As usual, Nicko was his comic self and timed the whole show to perfection. And whats to say about the focal point of Maiden - Steve Harris. His fingers blazing across the bass fretboard sending out waves after wave of heart thumping bass lines. This concert, nay ritual was a celebration, an elevation of the self into another dimension!

The next act was from the grandfathers/inventors of heavy metal as we know it - Black Sabbath. Seminal in their contribution to the development of metal and doom, the old grandfatherly looking members of Black Sabbath trooped out and an ear shattering wail, much like an air raid siren on dope, issued forth from the wall of speakers signalling the start of War Pigs. I have to say something about Iommi here - he has remoulded himself into this stylish, suave, leather sporting, riff/lead behemoth who usually doesn't jump and clown around like Ozzy but delivers crushing riffs and blistering leads without mercy. I grew up reading about this 'sabbath sound' and how seminal it was. Nothing, I repeat, nothing could have prepared anyone for what was to come. Sledge hammer drone riffs, long fiery orgasmic solos, the hard hitting heavy drum lines, thumping bass and Ozzy's wails and buckets of water all turned out to be an awesome experience. Just simply awesome! I have no other words to describe the magnitude of the entire show. I just came away ecstatic, at peace with myself for having witnessed my personal heroes at a distance of 3 feet.

Hailz!

The Face of Metal

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 23:30:29 GMT

I can't wait to get into the pit at the Bristow edition of Ozzfest 2005! Even though I have seen Iron Maiden thrice and Black Sabbath once, I can't just sit still when I think of the enerygy, passion and quality of musicmanship of Iron Maiden and of course, who hasn't read about the Sabbath sound and the riff god Iommi? Until the point I had the good fortune to listen to Sabbath (albeit fronted by Halford) I only read about this mysterious but oft vaunted 'Sabbath Sound'. And once I heard it, it just blew me away (and probably half the stadium's parking lot). They are heavy. Period. They have continuously cranked up the speakers and fashioned out this sound that knows how to do only one thing - crush everything in its path.

Not to be discorteous to the other bands, but I am also extremely interested in seeing BLS, Bruce (solo show, in fact I am dying for this one) and all the other bands on the first stage. The bikers from our Judas Priest show said they will show up there too. Hope to catch you there and drink to metal! According to them, second stage main act Rob Zombie is just killer to watch. I must admit I did like a few of his songs like Dragula, Iron Hand (with Ozzy) and some others. July 23rd, I can't wait for it!

I wanted too make this point in addition to the reviews by Venus and Nazgul - the total lack of any sort of pretension and barriers amongst fans - I have always been greeted, talked to, treated to and have treated others to a few beers by anyone and everyone at these concerts. Everyone is approachable and everyone approaches you - its the biggest circle of friends you can have - and you don't need metal T-shirts to announce your alleigiance to any one particular band (of course, it does help as in our last case). I am proud to be a metal fan.

Up the Irons!

What Lies "Beyond The Realms of Death"?

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:46:36 GMT

June 21st 2005.
Staff Reporter,Reuters.

June 18th saw the Angel of Retribution ride the winds of destruction into Camden, New Jersey and massacre a large motley gathering of violent, drunk rebels. A mass post mortem revealed that all of these people died with a huge smile on their faces and heavy metal beating in their hearts.

Venus in Fear,
Read more about it here

In the Land of Mordor, where the shadows lie

What can I say especially in the face of articulate reviews of such high caliber? And in an attempt to answer my own question of what lies beyond the realms of death, my answer would have to be the Angel of Retribution. I would definitely like to mention my favorite songs of the show - Heck! I loved them all but I have a special corner in my heart for "Beyond the Realms of Death", "A Touch of Evil", "Victim of Changes", "Painkiller", "Judas Is Rising", "Deal With The Devil" and "Hell Rider".

Frost Bite: Music

Ozzfest review

Ozzfest 2005

The Face of Metal

What Lies "Beyond The Realms of Death"?