By M&C News May 20, 2008, 15:30 GMT
Two of the most colossal names in rock n' roll-Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne are joining forces Saturday, August 9th, 2008, for a one-day stadium spectacular, OZZFest at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas, TX.
US heavy metal rock band Metallica's James Hetfield performs during their concert in Vienna, Austria on 05 July 2007. EPA/Helmut Fohringer
Worldwide superstars Metallica have chosen this next chapter in the evolution of OZZFest. Metallica's OZZFest debut represents one of the few shows the band will be playing in North America this year.
“I am absolutely honored that Metallica is performing on OZZFest," says Ozzy Osbourne. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said of this year's Ozzfest, "In 1986 Ozzy gave us our first break by taking us out on tour here in America, so whenever we get the call to play or hang together, of course our response is 'f*ck yeah... just tell us when and where and we'll be there.' We're psyched about our first Ozzfest experience and looking forward to hanging with all our metal buddies on what surely will be a great f*cking day in Dallas." Ozzy Osbourne himself will be making his only U.S. concert appearance through the end of 2008 at the wildly popular event which bears his name, marking the transformation of the pioneering festival he founded into a one-day extravaganza spanning three stages of top metal and hard rock acts. This year's OZZFest in Pizza Hut Park in the hard music-loving state of Texas will feature three stages of non-stop talent and reliably twisted OZZFest side attractions. The OZZFest 2008 bill will also feature some of the hardest rocking bands - many of whom have been a part of the OZZFest family and who will return to the OZZFest stage in support of a festival which has opened the door for so many of today's hard rock and metal bands. The full main stage lineup will spotlight performances by Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Hellyeah, Jonathan Davis (Korn), Cavalera Conspiracy, Shadows Fall, Apocalyptica and In This Moment. Also scheduled on the main stage is a special all-star tribute to fallen Pantera guitarist and Texas native "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.
Second stage acts include Sevendust, Devildriver, Kingdom of Sorrow, Soilent Green, Witchcraft and Goatwhore. The third Texas stage - "an homage to the many great metal bands that come from Texas," says Sharon Osbourne - will feature The Sword, Drowning Pool and Rigor Mortis. This year's dynamic line-up encompasses artists who've played OZZFest before in different incarnations such as Serj Tankian (System of a Down); Robert Trujillo (Ozzy and now with Metallica), Jonathan Davis (Korn); Hellyeah's Vinnie Paul (Pantera) and Chad Gray (Mudvayne); Kingdom of Sorrow's Jamie Jasta (Hatebreed) and Kirk Windstein (Down); and Max Cavalera (Soulfly, Sepultura) of Cavalara Conspiracy.
Other OZZFest graduates include Shadows Fall, Sevendust, Devildriver, Drowning Pool and In This Moment. "AEG is proud to work with Sharon Osbourne in bringing Metallica and Ozzfest together, making Dallas the capital of rock on August 9," said Randy Phillips, President & CEO, AEG Live. "And it's a testament to Ozzy, after 13 successful years of creating one of the truly great brands in hard rock, Ozzfest has attracted Metallica to close what will become a truly iconic day." More than 13 years after Ozzy Osbourne started OZZFest, it remains the defining blueprint for hard rock tours and festivals that have come along since. OZZFest is now evolving into a bigger and better stadium destination festival with headliners Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne leading the way.
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