Although much controversy surrounded the 10th annual Ozzfest, the highly popular touring festival remains the most spectacular event in all of heavy metal. This DVD offers fans a 150 minute glimpse of what the tour is all about, but in no way measures up to actually attending the event itself. Likely the most appealing aspect of this package is the extensive amount of interview footage viewers will find here, the behind-the-scenes type of footage that gives the average fan a glimpse of interviews, discussions and instances that they never would have been able to check out even if they had attended the event.
Clear Channel did a fine job with the production of this effort; it's everything that you would expect a DVD to be in terms of special features, bonus footage and length. There's nothing that you can complain about in the way that this is delivered, it is uncensored and honest, and the quality of the entire production is top quality.
Being the festival's tenth anniversary, the focus is rightly on Ozzy Osbourne. The British rocker provides plenty of entertainment throughout this entire film, coming off much of the time in a manner that is very personal and personable. In intertwining the behind-the-scenes footage with performances from the bands, you end up seeing a lot of the rock 'n' roll madman as the whole thing progresses and that is exactly as it should be. In many ways, this release is a grand victory in the career of an entertainer that has proven himself to be more dedicated to both heavy metal music and its fans for decades than any other artist in the field.
Reunited and seemingly invigorated, Anthrax issue an excellent rendition of their well-known 'Among The Living' track, 'Caught In A Mosh.' Give Scott Ian all the respect in the world, because the goateed guitarist graces the cover of this release alongside Osbourne, but Joey Belladonna makes this band what it is. To see them together, bashing out such a favorite is incredible. Newcomers Trivium must be considered as the hottest band in the metal scene today, but we see here with their performance of 'A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation' that their live sound could use a bit of refining. Somehow, the band does not match the intensity of the sound on their 'Ascendancy' album. Seriously lacking in the backing vocal department, we find that the other guys in the group must do more to get behind Corey when his voice gets tired, or the band is not ever going to sound the way they do on record in a live setting.
Rob Zombie was proud to take the second stage in a year in which he had no new music to offer. His stripped-down show contains much less visuals than fans are used to and for some reason; Zombie is taking on a father figure sort of mentality during his discourse with the members of the audience. Zombie has learned a few things from the Price of Darkness, however. During his performances, you'll see the super-spooky filmmaker throwing down two older cuts, 'Dragula', and a cut from his former band White Zombie, 'More Human Than Human.' Choosing to take the waifish John 5, a leftover from Marilyn Manson's outfit, on this tour was simply awful. Replacing Riggs with this boring looking flake could end up being the biggest mistake that the creative frontman has ever made in terms of shifting band personnel. Zombie just doesn't have the same feeling without the familiar axeman that contributed so much to Zombie's successful solo records.
There are definitely other downers here, including bad performances by Gizmachi and Wicked Wisdom and for absolutely no good reason at all, an appearance by the goofy Bowling For Soup, a band that in no fashion whatsoever belongs on such an important metal release before paying heed to Mudvayne, Shadows Fall and yes, even Iron Maiden. You will, however, count an amazing number of Maiden shirts here on both band members and fans.
Devotees of more extreme metal bands will without doubt dig that solid performances from Soilwork, A Dozen Furies and The Haunted make their way onto the DVD, each of these bands play well and given the experience of this tour, you can expect a lot of great things to come in the future from them. It Dies Today continues to impress as well and seem the band that will be most likely to provide a big hit with their next record from the entire crop of newer artists on this disc, the band has it really together and provide an entertaining visual appeal.
Velvet Revolver really establish themselves here as a group that's going to be sticking around the major leagues for a while. No longer a band that seems like a project, these guys are larger than life on stage, top hat and all. Scott Weiland has simply taken his performance to a level that he never realized with Stone Temple Pilots. Meanwhile, HIM gives the Download crowd a taste of their heavier material, turning in a powerful, driving 'Soul On Fire' that captivates the British audience. You might note that the then hard-partying Ville Valo's voice is a little rough. Easy there, Ville – you still have a long way to go.
Although the beef with Bruce is understandable, it is intensely disappointing that there is no Black Label Society performance here. Whatever the reason for the failure to include a performance from Zakk's band might me, it can't be good enough. An interview with the guitarist will not satisfy the fans and the omission may be considered as the most disappointing feature of this entire affair.
Still, the center focus is Ozzy and a highly impressive performance from his band, Black Sabbath, is the highlight of the entire production. Treating fans to long-time favorites 'War Pigs', 'Iron Man' and 'Paranoid', Black Sabbath emits an aura of doom, even as Osbourne grins from ear to ear like the metal madman that he truly is. Ozzy looks to be in the best shape of his career during these three tracks, healthy and with his voice being in fine form. Of all of the Sabbath members, however, Bill Ward sounds the most improved, issuing thundering beats with a degree of power and authority which the drummer has not displayed ever before. An excellent all-around performance, the Sabbath cuts are the main reason to check out this DVD and see the truest resurrection of the UK's greatest metal band as of yet.
A live CD adds value to the entire affair as well, so you can take your new Sabbath renditions on the road with you. Featuring several of the cuts that you'll find on the DVD, it bears a second mention that Bowling For Soup have no business being in this house.
For all of its disappointments, this remains a crucial video. Maybe it won't give you the same feeling as being at the actual event, but there is still enough excellent footage to make this release mandatory for any serious fan of heavy metal.
Review by: EF
Read Member Reviews
|
