METAL MELTDOWN
In To the Ozzfest Cauldron
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| >> Check out our interview with David Penick of Depswa. >> |
It was loud. It was brutal.
It was boiling. It was Metal at it's finest - the 2003 version of Ozzfest.
This Ozzfest featured 20 bands on two stages that inflicted over 13 hours of musical
destruction.
Los Angeles-based Depswa
was one of the morning bands that got the second stage crowd in to a frenzy. Singer
Jeremy Penick (who resembles “The Shield’ star Michael Chiklis) pounded out a
wide range of vocal sounds. He can go from melodic to ear shattering rage in one
stunning swoop. Depswa's performance was compelling, raucous, and powerful. [Interview / Photos]
Another band given the task of trying to get it going early in day
was Endo, who did an admirable job
considering the circumstances. These guys didn’t let the situation discourage
them – they gave everyone that showed up early something to get in to. [Interview / Photos]
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>> Check
out our interview with |
Buzz band The
Revolution Smile showed why there is so much excitement out there about them.
The majority of the crowd seemed unfamiliar with them initially, but quickly got
into the Rev Smile sound and it wasn’t long before the fans were firmly behind them.
Singer Shaun Lopez and his mates showed impressive versatility in their set. [Interview / Photos]
A sonic explosion occurred when Motorgrater hit the
stage. They were by far the most enjoyable band to watch. Their look and sound is
ultra-tribal fury. They perform in black and white war paint from head to toe, while
singer Ghost is done up in white war paint only, thus the moniker. Motorgater's
instruments appear as if they were gathered and assembled at the local Pick-A-Part.
[Photos Coming Soon!]
Killswitch Engage was the band with the biggest
buzz at this year’s Ozzfest. Everyone wanted to see them, especially some of
the performers from the main stage that had huddled around the second stage during the
K.E. set. Their stage presence was loaded with charisma and energy. It was apparent
that Killswitch delivered what the crowd and main stagers had eagerly anticipated. [Photos
Coming Soon!]
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>>
Motorgrater were one of the |
Shadows Fall dealt an extraordinary
performance full of enormous talent and true musicianship. In this day of drop-tuned
guitars and non- existing solos, Shadows Fall is a breathe of fresh air with their twin
guitar attack. Guitarists Matthew Bachand and Jonathan Donais proved that the art of shred
is not dead with piercing guitar solos that rival those from the 80's glory days of
shredding. [Photos Coming Soon!]
Thrash-metal veterans Voivod cranked out a loud and thunderous set. Old and new Voivod fans loved every minute of it. The addition of bassist Jason Newsted added a hard-hitting jolt to their already huge sound. It was great seeing Jason have fun on stage again. [Photos Coming Soon!]
[Photos of Memento, Hotwire and Grade
8 also Coming Soon]
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| >> Hotwire's Russ Martin. >> |
The main stage had solid performances from Chevelle,
Disturbed, and Marilyn Manson. Local boys Korn delivered a near perfect set of epic
proportion. Korn clearly owned the main stage this year. Ozzy was,
well.........Ozzy. The self-proclaimed "Prince of Fucking Darkness" was
entertaining and unpredictable as always. The show covered Ozzy's entire career,
including the Black Sabbath days. A touching moment occurred when Ozzy stopped the
show before going into the Sabbath classic "Iron Man". He brought out his
wife/manager Sharon, and announced that she was cancer-free and proclaimed that she was
‘Iron Woman.’
Ozzy’s guitarist Zakk Wylde without a doubt stole the show.
He took Randy Rhoads' classic Ozzy songs and elevated them to a higher level.
Perhaps the loudest ovation from the Ozzfest crowd was when Zakk played a wicked
version of the "Star Spangled Banner" during his guitar solo.
Ozzfest 2003 was filled with memorable moments and left everyone
looking forward to Ozzfest 2004.
Story and Photos by Vince Jimenez, VOX Staff Writer.
