OZZFEST 2000

Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion in Devore, California

Story and Photos by Kelly MacGaunn


This year's line-up was quite impressive with Apartment 26, Taproot, Primer 55, Queens Of The Stone Age, Pantera, Godsmack, Static-X, Reveille, Shuvel, Soulfly, Pumpjack, Pitchshifter, Black Label Society, P.O.D., The Deadlights, Slaves On Dope, Disturbed, Kittie and of course Ozzy. Below is a re-cap on some of the bands on the bill.

SHUVEL:It's rare to find a band in which the two lead vocalists do not play instruments. Depite that Shuvel plays it well with Jeff Hollinger and Isaac Ayala on vocals, Ryan Stuber on guitar, Carlos Sandoval on bass and closing out Shuvel is Kyle Hollinger on drums. Playing songs off their debut album on Interscope entitled "Set It Off" they lit up the second stage getting the early morning crowd hopping.

	APARTMENT 26: Opening up the main stage was England's tech-rock band Apartment 26. Playing five songs off their current debut album "Hallucinating", they gave the crowd a stellar performance. They have a great live sound, definitly a band worth watching. To find out more about Apartment 26 check them out on the Mission Impossible 2 Soundtrack.

PRIMER 55:Third up on the second stage, we got a taste of the South with Memphis, Tennesse's very own Primer 55. They are touring in support of their current Island/Def Jam/Universal release "Introduction To Mayhem". They played a short but roudy set opening with "The Big Fuck You", "Supa Freak Love", "Loose" and crowd favorite "Set It Off". Check them out in a city near with Soulfly, Downset and Slaves On Dope.

SLAVES ON DOPE:Montreal's Slaves On Dope tore up the second stage with their harder and heavier style of music. With Jason Rockman on vocals, Rob Urbani on drums, Kevin Jardine on guitars and Frank Salvaggio on bass. Touring in support of their October 3rd debut album off of Priority and Divine Records "Inches From The Mainland". If you happened to miss them on this years Ozzfest you still have a chance to catch them in city near you with Soulfly, Primer 55 and Downset. Also, don't forget to pick yourself up a copy of "Inches From The Mainland" on October 3rd. You won't regret it!

REVEILLE:Fourth on the second stage and well worth the wait was Boston naitives Reveille. Once they hit they stage they got the crowd and the pit going, proving to the Southern California crowd that they deserved Boston's best new metal band award. They played five songs off their debut album "Laced" off of Elektra. A couple highlights off their set was "Butterfly", "Flesh And Blood" and "Judas".

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE: Third on the main stage was California natives Queens Of The Stone Age. Having last seen them with Smashing Pumpkins on their Arising Tour, Queens Of The Stone Age put on a great performance. Mixing both old and new songs for about a total of 30 minutes. They played current radio and crowd favorite "Feel Good Hit Of The Summer" off their recent album "R". For more info on Queens Of The Stone Age check out www.interscoprerecords.com.

TAPROOT: All songs were off their current debut album "Gift" on Atlantic Records. The gift truly was seeing this band perform live. They kept the crowd jumping as lead singer Steve Richards provided the crowd with soulful metal vocals throughout songs like "Smile", "Mentobe" and "1 Nite Stand". For more info on Taproot check out www.atlanticrecordings.com or check them out on the road with Incubus and The Deftones or on October 7th at the "Smoke Out".

METHODS OF MAYHEM: Tommy Lee is back and ready to rumble! It was great to see Lee a bunch of roles including vocals, guitar, and drums rather than just the drums with Motley Crue. Lee adds great adversity on stage. They played aggressive song's such as "Anger Management" intertwined with co-vocalist Tilo's rap skills. Tommy uses his lyrics and music as a venting ground from singers years of frustration. The crowd truly enjoyed their first pornographic single "Get Naked" featuring Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit and female rap artist Lil' Kim on their debut album "Methods Of Mayhem" on MCA Records. Fourth on the main stage they provided the audience with a strong fulfilled set. Opening with Tommy on the drums with co-drummer Stephen Perkins, which then lead into hit single "Get Naked". For more info on visit www.mcarecords.com.

P.O.D: Introducing Southern California's Christian hardcore metal band P.O.D.(Payable On Death). Their Atlantic records debut album "The Fundamentals of Southtown" was released last year and is doing exceptionally well. The album's first single "Southtown" was a hit on the main stream of radio along with their current single "Rock The Party (OFF THE HOOK)". On this album you will find them demonstrating their spiritual outlook in their lyrics intertwined with fuses of punk, alternative metal, hip-hop and good old fashioned rock n' roll. A great addition to the Ozzfest bill, you can find more about P.O.D at www.atlanticrecords.com.

DISTURBED: Straight out of the windy South Side of Chicago you will find the members of Disturbed. The most disturbing thing about this band is the fact that the lead singer, David Drainman starts they're set off in a straight jacket and confining mask. Fifth on the second stage, there catchy, addictive tunes and straight forward lyrics will leave a permanent impression on you. For example, they're current single "Stupify" which has hit main stream radio and is gaining Disturbed a wide spread fan base. Signing to Giant records, Disturbed was able to release there debut album "The Sickness". Definitely a band to watch for in the future.

INCUBUS:Incubus hit the main stage with much fan anticipation. A slight change of scenery from Ozzfest 98, but this was easily one of the best set's they've done so far this year. Singer Brandon Boyd did doulble duty as percussionist, with a bongo drum secured around his waist during half of their performance. He looked as impassioned as he sounded with songs such as "Stellar" and "Privilege". The thing that captures you with this band is that every memebr brings in a distinct and unique element that this band could not exist without. To check out more on Incubus visit www.enjoyincubus.com or pick up their new smashing album "Make Yourself". It's one of those got to have albums. Also, you can catch them on tour now with The Deftones and fellow Ozzfest band Taproot.

KITTIE:Throughout the day I heard people talking about Canadian metal band Kittie. Touring in support of their Ng/Artemis debut album "Spit". The crowd was in a frenzy as the four girls Talena, Fallon, Morgan and Mercades took the stage. When it came time for them to show their stuff, they put on an exhilerating performance. Opening with most recognized song "Brackish" and ending with new single "Charlotte". Kittie captivated the crowd througout their set. For more info on Kittie check out www.ngrecords.com or seeing them live openning up for Pantera soon in a city near you.

SOULFLY:Closing the second stage this year was none other than Soulfly. With Max on guitar/vocals, Joe on drums, Mikey on guitar and Marcello on bass, they proved to be the perfect band to close out the night. Opening with "Eye For An Eye" which led into crowd favorite "Refuse/Resist". They played a both old and new, new being "Primitive" and old being "Bleed". For more info on Soulfly check out www.roadrunnerrecords.com or catch them on their headlining tour with Slaves On Dope, Downset and Primer 55 in a city near you.

GODSMACK:One of my favorites this year was Boston natives Godsmack. Having last seen them at KROQ's annual Weenie Roast, their performance was phenominal once again. Playing crowd favorites like "Whatever", "Bad Religion", "Keep Away" and "Voodoo". They even played a surprise song off their new album in progress. For more info on Godsmack check them out on the road with Disturbed and Stone Temple Pilots. Also, pick up their new album which will be out on the night of October 31st.

PANTERA:Pantera is one of the vetran acts on this years bill. They are touring in support of the band's latest release "Reinventing The Steel". Their death-metal gutar riffs and chilling, passionate vocals filled the Blockbuster Pavilion throughout their speechless performance. As soon as Vinny Paul stepped out on stage the crowd nearly exploded. It seemed as if every one person in the Pavilion sang along to every song throughout their performance, never letting up. It was definitly a sight to see. Catch them again on their own headlining tour soon with openners Kittie.

OZZY:The intron movie was the highlight of Ozzfest! He made fun of movie American Pie and Sixth Sense. He was Iron man in the Gladiator and danced along with N'Sync in their "Bye, Bye Bye" video. He gave Britney Spears a sex toy and even wore an afro wig in Budwisers "Whatssup?" commercial. It was great. He had the audience in tears laughing. In typical Ozzy tradition he had these huge cannon water guns this water cannon, which he stepped climbed into and got lifted up 30 feet into the air and sprayed the crowd throughout his set. Some of the few songs he chose to play were "Crazy Train", "Mama" and classic "No More Tears". It was a highlight performance from rock legend Ozzy himself.

Hopefully we will be graced with another Ozzfest nest year. Until then all of us who went will just have to reminise on the good time we had and the good bands we had the chance to see.