Ozzfest 2004 @ PNC Arts Center- Holmdel, NJ 7/16/04

Thats right it is that fuckin time again people! Time for the best show of the summer now running 7 years straight and you better believe I haven't missed any of them. Ozzfest took N.J. by storm and the bands kick some FUCKIN heads in. We arrived late this year around 2:00pm. I decided that 14 hrs was too long this year so that was that. I saw every band that I wanted too this year. Me and Steve Miller breezed right into the huge party in the parking lot.We start to partake in the festivities right away and the rest is history.

First up Lamb Of God: They take the 2nd stage about a 1/2 hour before scheduled.I was looking forward in checking this band out and they did not disappoint. Lamb Of God kicked FUCKIN Ass. The pit was going in full swing and the 2nd stage was jammed packed. I watch the 2nd stage every year from right outside the fence . You can see everything and its less crowded plus you get to party unrestricted out there. They do a 30 min set and they were great.

Next Hatebreed: You could feel the crowds anticipation for this one. Hatebreed take the stage and starts belting out some of the best hardcore going today and the crowd knows it. The pit was going the heaviest of the day. Several times between songs Jamie yells out over the mic we need a medic out hear and they do not start another song until that person is helped .This happened around 3 times and hats off to Hatebreed for waiting each time to restart there set. Allot of people got fucked up in the pit but they knew what they were in for. Jamie's voice was right on and Hatebreed was powerful period. There last song "I Will Be Heard" was sung by everyone in the pit and it was moving to hear a thousand kids sing along, it sent chills down my back. Hatebreed was defiantly on top of their game and it was a classic show. This is about my 8th time seeing Hatebreed and they seem to really be on top of the Hardcore world. Great job boys!!!!!!!

Next up SlipKnot: Again everyone was waiting for this years headliners of the 2nd stage. That is everyone besides me, I have seen SlipKnot about 6 times and I believe they are just so-so. That's my option but all the kids disagreed with me today and ripped the shit out of the place. There were bodies flying every where and blood was defiantly shed during their set. The sound was great and the crowd gave them much respect. They did about a 40 min. set and again I thought they were so-so.

Allright Main stage time First up. Black Label Society: Zakk Wylde unleashes his madness once again and it was incredible as always. Black Labels sound was tight and Zakk had a blast up there. The place was about 1/2 full. A Fuckin shame allot of people missed a hell of a set by Black Label. I was hoping that Ozzy would come out during "Still Born" But he didn't. Black Label did a 1/2 hour set and were great.

Next up Super Joint Ritual: Phil takes the stage with Super Joint by storm. He starts right in insulting people and causing mayhem. There are huge Pot leafs that lightup on stage and Super Joint lets it rip. Their sound was perfect, again about 1/2 the place is full. Phil thanks everyone for throwing joints up to him.Phil starts yelling for everyone on the lawn to come on down to the front, trying to start some major shit on the floor. Well it didn't work he then starts saying how everyone at last nights Ozzfest @ Jones Beach in NY were a bunch of fuckin pussys and the NJ crowd had them beat without even trying. Again I just think he was talking shit. Super Joint took no prisoners and put on one hell of a powerful set. Phil has defiantly gotten back on top {since Pantera Broke up} This band defiantly was better than his last{Down} who put on a so-so set 2 years ago on Ozzfest. Overall this band kick Fuckin ass and even if you don't like Phil's ranting on stage he is still one of today's best Hardcore singers. I really enjoyed their set and even liked all the negative shit that was slung around. Great fuckinjob Super Joint.

Next up was Dimmu Borgie: This band was nothing special but still put on one hell of a live show. Everyone including me used this time to get another beer and use the pisser. They were not as good as I was expecting being on the main stage and all. But still they did there job and got a great response and more important they gained a shit load of fans.

Next up THE FUCKING HARDCORE LEGENDS SLAYER:The stage is stacked with Marshall's and Slayer let it Fuckin rip opening with"War Ensembal" The PNC is now jammed packed.Everyone was waiting for these Hardcore giants and they did not disappoint. My seats are right next to the sound board and it is a pleasure to see Slayer crew at work. One guy ran the sound board and he had them dialed in.They go right into "Die by the Sword" and then "Mandatory Suicide" The crowd is going fuckin crazy and the pit started up on the hill. Slayer then do "Dead Skin Mask." Slayer had defiantly taken over Ozzfest and everyone new it. Kerry and Jeff had them guitars fuckin smoking and they proved why they are the best Hardcore band in the business. Slayer was FUCKIN GREATand they alone where worth the price of admission.

Next Up Judas Priest: Everyone was waiting for this moment including me. Rob Halford has put his gayness aside and decided to rejoin one of the best bands in heavy metal history. I can say this about Rob because there is not a bigger Priest fan than me. I have seen them 16 times before this all with Rob singing. I never saw Priest without him, why bother. I was also a huge fan of his other band "Fight" and got to meet Rob during this period in Asbury Park. Alright enough Fuckin shit lets get down to their music.They open with "Electric Eye," KK Downing lets the guitar fuckin shred. Halford is dressed in a full leather suit {long sleeve coat in all} he must have been roasting. The crowd erupts and they go right into "Rebel Gone" and then into "Heading to the Highway" Rob's voice is right on like it hasn't been over 10 years since the last show Priest played tougher. He proves this belting out "Sworn to Avenge" and then a real fuckin classic "Victim Of Changes." Judas Priest were back and just as good as ever. That song brought back memories from 1981 with Judas Priest and Iron Maiden's super tours. (those were the fuckin days )They then Do "Breaking the Law" and one of my favorites and heavier songs "Pain Killer." Rob belted these out hitting every high note and it sounded incredible. This guy is in his fuckin mid-60's yes that's right 60's and he has more power on the mic than anyone alive.

Halford comes out in vintage form with his Harley and breaks into "Hell Bent for Leather" then then do "Living After Midnight" for encore. Judas Priest is defiantly back with a Vengeance this show which was my 17th time seeing Priest and was just as good as any of the other classic that Priest put on. Pure Metal Perfection

Next up the real king of rock& roll Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath:
A Black Sabbath medley starts blasting away pre-recorded. Ozzy and Sabbath take the Stage opening with "War Pigs" the sound is powerful and crystal clear. This year Ozzy isn't running all over and is pretty still up there. We all no about the accident that almost took his life and he has his own doctor on tour with him to make sure things are alright with his health. Hats of to Sharon Osbourne the marketing genius with those Ozzfest shirts with the Demon ridding the Quad.Ozzy then breaks into "NIB" and "Into Fairies were Boots." I start to make my way up even closer to the stage . I did not write down a set list after this I took this time for myself singing along with the master himself. Everybody up close sang along to every song and we had a Fuckin Blast. Some of the songs in the set were "Into the Void," "Black Sabbath," "Sweet Leaf," "Snow Blind," "Iron Man," and "Paranoid" along with a shit load more of classics. Black Sabbath played a solid hour of great shit, a little short I thought but under the circumstance it was defiantly long enough. Buy the way Geezier Butter, Tony Imomie, and Bill Ward all looked great and there sound was tight. Ozzy fucked up a couple of time but come on he's singing material that he written 30 years ago. This was my 5th time seeing Black Sabbath with Ozzy and it was FUCKIN Great. From 1 to 10 this show gets an 11. Come on Hatebreed, Slayer, Priest and Black Sabbath plus all the other kick ass hardcore bands this show was one of the best Ozzfest's ever. They will be back in NJ on August 26th @ The Tweeter Center In Camden. Get the Fuck out there and see Rock & Roll history. Camden is a Fuckin slum but it will be worth the risk I promise and Hope to see you all there.

By Brandon Dilks
Manager - Nuse

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