Ozzfest 2007 was an exciting Metal event without question with numerous bands to enjoy across the day. The show was discussed in full on THIS LINK; Now please enjoy some images from the Static X set.
Continue reading Static X: Live Photos @ PNC Bank Arts Center (8/16/2007)
This year Ozzfest was going to be free and also find some of the most brutal of the Metal bands around as a part of it. Getting the ticket was easy if you followed some details and the capacity crowd affair found Ozzy taking the stage with the likes of Lamb Of God, Static X, Lordi, Black Tide, Hatebreed, Behemoth, Devildriver, In This Moment, Nile, and Chthonic as the Metal lead offs. Our travel to the show caused us some delays and hence missing a few acts but we were there to bring you the scoop so to see more just keep scrolling down past the logo. It was an incredible day of Metal under the blistering heat of the summer sun.
Artist: Ozzy Osbourne (Ozzfest)
Venue: PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ)
Opener: Lamb Of God, Static-X, Lordi
Date: 8/16/2007
Label: Epic Records
In 2007 it was decided that instead of charging an incredible amount for tickets that the Ozzfest event would be free of charge and be aptly referred to as “Freefest”. If the Metal Legions wanted access to the show they would need to follow advertising and sponsor promotional links or purchase the new Ozzy Osbourne album in order to potentially be allotted a pair of tickets. This might sound pretty straightforward but it was actually a little more confusing that many had expected it to be. There was talk of redeeming issues and continual internet run around which I can attest to being true as I tried to help my friend get his tickets for the area appearance in my vicinity. Since the show was going to be free it would mean that the bands themselves would not be paid and instead get all their operating capital from merchandise sales at each stop on the tour. Resultant of this the now free event would not attract what some people considered to be “top tier bands” and instead drew groups like Lordi, Behemoth, Hatebreed, Lamb Of God and Static X to its stages. I really had a problem with people who were making that statement because while a band like Disturbed and System Of A Down might be good and at times quite heavy, when compared to some of the bands that I just named, come up very short in terms of being in touch with the actual Metal scene of today. These “underground Metal upstarts” for the roster in 2007 would quite possibly go down in history as the MOST relevant lineup based on what is happening in the Metal world right now. This aspect appealed to me as both a journalist and fan of Heavy Metal music overall.
Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne’s “Ozzfest” @ PNC Bank Arts Center (8/16/2007)
Artist: Static X
Title: “Cannibal”
Label: Reprise Records
Release Date: 4/3/2007
Genre: Industrial Metal
Rating: 4/5
It’d definitely true that there are not many bands that sound like Static X nor are there many who are able to infuse the levels of Techno and Industrial vibe into Heavy Metal music as easily as they seem to do. It’s been over thirteen years since the band formed and they have been continually impressing and surprising their fan base with what they can do and now with their fifth recording “Cannibal” – they show that they stand poised once again to repeat the process despite the ever-changing climate of the music buying public. They are still led by Wayne Static as you would expect but this time around the recording finds the band with their fifth different lineup in terms of the recording of the new music. It’s not necessarily a bad thing as these changes mark the return of their original guitar player Koichi Fukuda who I am certain will be a welcome face in the eyes of the bands fan base. Drumming is done by Nick Oshiro and the bass assault by Tony Campos who together complete the four-piece Industrial Metal Masters. As I spun the CD, I was pleased to find that despite these lineup shifts the listener will still find the aggressive and powerful sound that makes Static-X such a special band to the world of music and truly second to none against those who aim to also use this style. They begin the attack right away with the title track “Cannibal” – and it’s a song that is a not so subtle hint at the overall assault that is looming on the other tracks.
Continue reading “Cannibal” by Static X
