Ozzfest 2005 @ PNC Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ 7/26/05

This was the 10th anniversary for OZZFEST and it was the weakest Fucking line up yet. I know I've been there all 10 years now. This was the first year the PNC Shows weren't sold out. Was it because it was 99 degrees out? I don't think so, is it because the 2nd stage totally blew? thats my guess... We arrived around 11:45 am this year instead of our normal 9:00 am Ozzfest routine. When we got there Wicked Wisdom was playing, and there was about 100 kids watching their fucking horrible set. Jada Pinkett Smith better stick to the movies. I can honestly say people where disgusted with this band being on Ozzfest this year. Sharon Osbourne is a Fucking Marketing genius and I love her to death, but this was a big mistake. This band has no fucking right to be playing Ozzfest. No amount of money they paid to get on the line up is worth people thinking Ozzfest has turned into a joke. Every year I can't wait for this show and this year was no different... I wasn't disappointed. I knew the second stage line up months ago and I had a Fucking Blast as usual.

Let start this review with Killswitch Engage - It was the first time I saw these guys play. It was hot as Fuck but the pit was still moving, not much but it was moving. The crowd which was mostly younger kids gave them a good response. KillSwitch was pretty Fucking good. I saw a few people going out on stretchers and they played a solid 40 min. set.

Next up, Rob Zombie - We finally pack up the van and went inside. Rob had the most people show up for his set than any other 2nd stage act. This is no surprise as everyone was waiting to go inside for his set. Again it was hot as fuck and no shade to be found, no mosh pit either. The crowd had changed from mostly all kids to allot of freaky looking people. There where some strange fuckers in there. Rob's set was a little laid back then normal. He was doing allot of talking with the crowd instead of drilling threw his set as usual. The band was felling the heat and it showed. They played all their hits and although the set was more laid back than normal it was good, real good. It is always a pleasure to see Mr. Zombie and he was the one that officialy kicked of Ozzfest this year for me.

We recharge with a few more cold ones and make are way to the main stage.

Next Up, In Flames take the stage as soon as Rob Zombie is done and most people didn't even have a chance to make it to the main stage. Everyone finally makes their way over to check these guys out. They where pretty fuck good they have a good hardcore sound to their music. They played a good set that was only 20 minutes long but they got a decent response up there.

Onto Black Label Society. What can I say about their set. Zake Wylde is in my opinion the best Fucking metal guitarist out there. Black Label always play a loud solid set and this year was no different. They Kicked Fucking ass.

Up next was Shadows Fall. Another first for me. They have a good vibe on stage. There sound is tight and they played a good hard set. The crowd enjoyed them, I did see some moshing on the hill. If you get a chance to see these guys you should.

Now on to Mudvayne. I have seen these guys before it looked to me that they where trying to hard, some of there songs sounded forced. They did get the crowd behind them and thats what it is all about.

Ok... IRON FUCKING MAIDEN- They open with {Wrath Child}and Bruce Dickerson is in a British Army outfit running all over as usual and it isn't long before he breaks out his trusty British Flag and starts waving it like a Fucking nut. The crowd is hysteric as most of this years crowd came to see maiden and no one else. There next song is {The Trouper}. Maidens sound is dialed in loud and clear. All the boys look to be on top of the world pounding out their hits. {The Phantom} is next the crowd is going Fucking Ballistic. Dave Murray and Adrian Smith are ripening up the solos. Maiden then play {Run To the Hills} and then go right Into{ Number Of the Beast} and the Ozzfest Devil-Beast pops up on the stage. That thing looked Fucking fierce with smoke pouring out of it. It was strange, this is the first year it has appeared and during Maiden's set. It was Fucking Awesome! They soon break into {IronMaiden} with Eddie taking the stage, Eddie looked great as usual and this year he seems to have more movement. Dave Murray was inter acting with him. Then on his way off stage he was grabbing and slapping at Adrian and his guitar. It was Fucking wild and Classic IRON MAIDEN. They close with {Running Free} The only thing bad about their set was the time they played, only an hour. It was FUCKING GREAT, thanks for putting them on Sharon! It was worth all the other bullshit and made Ozzfest this year... well almost.

How Can you top that killer set by Iron Maiden? Well only one man can and he did. OZZY took the stage with Black Sabbath and we were Fucking off. Sabbath opens with {N.I.B} their sound is dialed in and sounds FUCKING AWESOME. Ozzy rips down his pants and moons the crowd. They then go into {War Pigs}. Ozzy's voice is FUCKING great, he sounds stronger than ever and clear as can be. Every year I say they sounded great and couldn't sound and better. This year they did Classic Black Sabbath at its Fucking Best. At this time I worked my way up front to sing along so my song list went out the window for the rest of the set. Although {Fairy's Wear Boots} was next I made my way up front and was glad to see Ozzy back on top of his game. Last year he stood in one spot and didn't move because of his broken neck. He still kicked ass but this year he's back to running around throwing water buckets in the crowd. Not as much as in the past but he's moving. The look an his face during some of these songs is Fucking Intense. I see were the madman name came from because he looked possessed for a few tunes. {Symptoms Of The Universe} was next which Sabbath nailed they then played a real rarity {Electric Funeral} which got the crowd even crazier. Next they go into {Iron Man} and then {Black Sabbath}. Ozzy's voice is still strong and clear. Sabbath then play {Paranoid} and then {Children Of the Grave}. This is were Ozzy ran into some problems. His voice was cracking up and it sounded like something popped. It was evident that something was wrong with his voice. They finished a little shaky but Ozzy finished the song. They went off stage and that was it!! They only played an hour ,when their set was suppose to be an hour and a half. Allot of people didn't even notice. But I did. I have seen Ozzy close to 30 times now and new something was wrong. Sure enough Black Sabbath did not perform the second night at the PNC. The official word was Ozzy was under the weather. But I know different. It is the beginning of the Ozzfest tour and they don't want the fans knowing if there is a problem. Ticket sales are already struggling. Hopefully The Ozzman voice returns very soon. The Fucker is out there giving it his all and he sounded FUCKING better the EVER!!

From a 1 to 10 this year Ozzfest gets a 7. It is usually by far the best show of the year.The line up was weaker than ever and it showed. Don't believe me check the ticket sales. Both PNC shows had tickets available at the gate. A first for Ozzfest at the PNC. Ozzfest usually sell out in record time. Hey It still was FUCKING GREAT and I had a blast as usual.

By Brandon Dilks
Manager - Nuse

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