Whatever Happened to the Acts from Ozzfest’s First Lineup?

Ozzfest turned the launching pad for a lot of metallic and exhausting rock bands by means of the late ’90s into the 2000s, however what concerning the lineup that launched Ozzfest itself? Sure, you are nicely conscious of Ozzy Osbourne, the competition’s namesake, and his exploits each earlier than and after the launch of the vastly profitable branded touring competition, however what concerning the different acts?

Do you know that Ozzfest wasn’t even a touring competition in its inaugural yr? It was a two-stop occasion happening on the Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix on Oct. 25, 1996 and on the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion in San Bernardino, California on the outskirts of Los Angeles on Oct. 26, 1996.

That preliminary music weekend discovered 13 acts performing throughout two phases with Ozzy serving because the centerpiece, bringing quite a lot of heavy music to the forefront over the course of the single-day reveals. Future years would see Ozzfest increase to a touring competition, taking its model to the U.Okay., Germany, Belgium, Eire, Poland, the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Portugal, Israel and Japan. It could be each an enormous touring competition and later flip right into a single-destination occasion. The newest Ozzfests even noticed it pair with one other in style branded metallic fest, Knotfest, over two day runs in 2016 and 2017. The final Ozzfest got here as a single day cease on the Discussion board in Los Angeles on New Yr’s Eve in 2018.

However for this train, we’re taking it again to the very beginnings, revisiting the inaugural lineup of acts that performed Ozzfest within the fall of 1996, letting you realize the place they have been at on the time and the way their careers developed after that preliminary Ozzfest introduction. So let’s begin on the prime ….

Ozzy Osbourne

The place Was He Earlier than?

Ozzy Osbourne was basically beginning the third act of his profession. After Black Sabbath and a stellar solo profession, Ozzy introduced his preliminary retirement tour coinciding with the 1991 No Extra Tears album. However retirement wasn’t for Ozzy, who issued the Ozzmosis album in 1995 and returned to touring. After a number of lineup adjustments between the album and touring, Osbourne had a touring lineup of drummer Mike Bordin, bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Joe Holmes when the preliminary Ozzfest came about.

The preliminary Ozzfest took place as an concept after Ozzy was rebuffed by Lollapalooza, one of many main touring festivals of the ‘90s. Seen as a heavy different to the “different” competition, Sharon and Jack Osbourne booked a mixture of veteran acts and up-and-coming younger exhausting rock and metallic teams, whereas giving Ozzy the platform he rightfully deserved at this level in his legendary profession. The primary Ozzfest was held over two days in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Bernardino (Devore), California on Oct. 25 and 26, 1996, earlier than evolving right into a touring competition the next yr. Who knew on the time how influential and impactful it will develop into, as Ozzfest’s arrival appeared to sync up completely with a sea change within the music panorama favoring heavy nu-metal acts.

The place Was He After?

Ozzfest was the right platform to launch Ozzy 3.0. After optimistic returns from the inaugural two-day competition in ’96, Ozzfest expanded to a full fledged touring competition in ’97, with Osbourne utilizing a reunion with Black Sabbath to gas curiosity. By ’97, nu-metal was beginning to get a foothold at mainstream rock radio, and Ozzfest gave a lot of these new acts the excessive profile platform from which to launch their careers.

It didn’t harm Ozzy’s profession both, as Ozzy’s public prominence possible opened the door to The Osbournes actuality sequence, that catapulted the singer and his household into a brand new sort of celeb. That in flip introduced out extra followers to Ozzfest reveals and allowed Ozzy to energy by means of the 2000s with the Down To Earth, Below Cowl, Black Rain and Scream albums. On this third period of Ozzy’s profession, he turned beloved universally and noticed the door opened to future collaborations with Black Sabbath as nicely, serving to increase their profile within the course of.

Although Ozzfest has been much less outstanding lately as Ozzy has handled well being points, he stays actively recording, issuing the Odd Man and Affected person Quantity 9 albums already this decade.

Slayer

The place Have been They Earlier than?

In Might of 1996, Slayer launched their seventh studio album, Undisputed Angle. Icons of the thrash metallic scene of the ‘80s, the band was slumping a bit on the time because the album arrived to middling critiques and a No. 34 debut on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. The largely ignored album featured the songs “I Hate You,” “Gemini” and “Abolish Authorities/Superficial Love.”

The place Have been They After?

Ozzfest gave Slayer a strong increase at that time of their profession, which is why they possible returned to the competition two years later for the U.Okay. tour leg, in addition to in in 1999, 2002 and 2004, making them one among Ozzfest’s most frequent favorites. The band’s profession rebounded with the beginning of a brand new decade as they issued God Hates Us All, Christ Phantasm and World Painted Blood within the 2000s earlier than ending out their profession with 2015’s Repentless and a 2019 farewell tour.

Danzig

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Glenn Danzig had juggled varied bands all through his profession, and 2006 noticed the musician dabbling in slightly little bit of every part. He was touring beneath the Danzig identify in assist of his two-year-old album, Circle of Snakes, but additionally flexed his musical chops along with his classical music-leaning solo set Black Aria II previous to the Ozzfest reveals. Whereas touring beneath the Danzig identify, Glenn invited his former Misfits bandmate Doyle to play a particular set of Misfits songs throughout reveals.

The place Have been They After?

Propelled a bit by Ozzfest, Danzig invited former Samhain bassist Steve Zing to hitch him at choose reveals in late 1996, revisiting their Samhain materials. A Misplaced Tracks of Danzig compilation adopted in 1997, and Danzig continued to report with Deth Purple Sabaoth, Skeletons and Black Laden Crown spooling out over the subsequent decade. Danzig took an sudden flip in 2020 recording an album of covers dubbed Danzig Sings Elvis.

Biohazard

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Biohazard had a model new album in 1996, with Mata Leao arriving in June of that yr. The band’s fourth studio album cracked the Billboard 200 at No. 170, considerably down from their earlier outing. They launched the songs “Authority” and “A Lot to Study” from the outing, so Ozzfest ’96 gave them a shot to point out off a few of their music amongst metallic’s most interesting.

The place Have been They After?

Although a part of the preliminary Ozzfest invoice, the band didn’t return to Ozzfest over the remaining years. The band would launch 5 extra studio albums, however break up up in 2006, ultimately returning in 2008. A interval of inactivity and the pandemic stored the group off the radar for a interval, however the band was reportedly again working collectively in 2022, establishing some 2023 competition appearances with talks of a brand new album and documentary.

Sepultura

The place Have been They Earlier than?

The Brazilian groove metallic outfit Sepultura have been on prime of their sport, as evidenced by their 1996 album Roots turning into one among metallic’s seminal albums. However behind the scenes, bother was brewing as Max Cavalera’s stepson Dana Wells was killed in an accident and the remainder of the band was in search of to fireside their supervisor Gloria, who was Max’s spouse and Dana’s mom.

The place Have been They After?

As said, tensions have been constructing behind the scenes, however Cavalera was nonetheless a part of the group once they hit the stage in October 1996, not formally leaving the band till December of the identical yr. Derrick Inexperienced was quickly named to fill the void, and he’s remained the band’s frontman over 9 extra studio albums within the years since. The band’s industrial success has fallen off stateside, although they continue to be a favourite of metallic followers around the globe, with a brand new album anticipated in 2024.

Concern Manufacturing facility

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Although the album wasn’t a giant industrial hit, Concern Manufacturing facility have been touring in assist of their 1995 sophomore set Demanufacture, which might yield the songs “Reproduction” and “Canine Day Dawn” and later develop into considered one among, if not, their finest album. Nonetheless comparatively unknown on the time, they have been an early day performer on the principle stage at Ozzfest in 1996.

The place Have been They After?

It’s secure to say a lot greater issues have been forward for Concern Manufacturing facility, and Ozzfest performed a task in that. The band returned in 1997 for the primary touring yr of the competition, then continued to construct their identify on 1998’s U.Okay. Ozzfest dates, and being second-billed on the second stage in 1999. They’d discover a few of their greatest success with 1998’s Out of date and 2001’s Digimortal, issuing eight extra albums after their preliminary Ozzfest look. Inside strife took its toll on the group, with guitarist Dino Cazares at present serves because the lone remaining unique member after a sequence of lawsuits amongst their hottest lineup.

Neurosis

The place Have been They Earlier than?

By 1996, Neurosis have been fairly nicely established although not a vastly industrial act. That yr noticed them launch their fifth studio album, By means of Silver in Blood, in April. The epic and extra experimental assortment yielded a few of their finest critiques so far, and Ozzfest’s fundamental stage gave them an opportunity to point out off what they might do reside.

The place Have been They After?

Neurosis made an impression, ultimately touchdown a second stage Ozzfest spot in 1997, however that was the top of their Ozzfest run. The band would go on to launch seven extra studio albums after that preliminary Ozzfest. Singer-guitarist Scott Kelly would additionally develop into a frequent visitor on Mastodon’s albums as nicely. However issues took a flip for the more severe in 2019 when Kelly confessed to allegations of abuse towards his spouse and introduced his retirement from music and public life. The band expelled Kelly from the group, and nonetheless haven’t made an announcement regarding their future music plans.

Narcotic Gypsy

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Not each Ozzfest band was an enormous success story. Working example, Narcotic Gypsy, who opened the principle stage at Ozzfest ’96 selling their God Journey album. The four-piece outfit was led by singer Brent Petterson, enjoying a bass-heavy grungy model of music, with “Invisible Strings,” “My Ease” and “Damaged” serving as their hottest songs.

The place Have been They After?

Narcotic Gypsy seemingly fell off the map after their Ozzfest efficiency, with God Journey showing to be their solely launch and comparatively little hint of the band on the Web.

Second Stage

Earth Disaster

The place Have been They Earlier than?

In 1996, Earth Disaster have been nonetheless an up-and-coming hardcore outfit, who simply launched their influential sophomore set, Gomorrah’s Season Ends, a couple of week previous to their Ozzfest efficiency. After a formidable debut with 1995’s Destroy the Machines, there was sufficient buzz on the band for them to be given the headliner spot on the second stage.

The place Have been They After?

Although constructing a strong rep early of their profession, Earth Disaster began to tail off a bit commercially, issuing three extra studio albums earlier than splitting up in 2001, citing household duties. The band splintered into two acts — Freya and Remoted — earlier than ultimately reforming in 2007 and returning with 2009’s To the Dying album. They’ve since launched two extra albums, however have solely yielded a pair of EPs since their final full-length Salvation of the Innocents in 2014.

Powerman 5000

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Powerman 5000 have been nonetheless a pair years away from their huge industrial breakout once they hit the Ozzfest second stage in 1996, however there was sufficient buzz to offer them a strong slot on the invoice. The band had issued their debut album, The Blood-Splat Score System, a yr prior, incomes a trio of Boston Phoenix Readers Ballot awards. A yr later, they’d be picked up by DreamWorks, with their debut reissued beneath the title Mega!! Kung Fu Radio.

The place Have been They After?

Certainly breakout success would include 1999’s Tonight the Stars Revolt album, that includes their rock radio hit “When Worlds Collide.” The band hasn’t actually matched that success since, however have remained one among rock’s most prolific and constant teams with eight extra albums following within the 2000s. The newest was 2020’s The Noble Rot.

READ MORE: A Rating of Each Ozzfest Lineup From Worst to Greatest

Coal Chamber

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Ozzfest was actually a key launching level for Coal Chamber, who recorded their first album and launched it in February 1997, just some quick months after that look. The band’s begin might need come faster had it not been for a short bump within the street the place frontman Dez Fafara stop the group within the spring of 1995, solely to return a number of months later with the band reclaiming their report take care of Roadrunner within the course of.

The place Have been They After?

Ozzfest performed a key function in Coal Chamber’s growth over the subsequent few years. They joined the primary touring tour yr of Ozzfest in 1997, then hopped on board each the U.Okay. and U.S. editions of Ozzfest in 1998. This got here as Coal Chamber launched two of their greatest albums – their self-titled 1997 debut and 1999’s Chamber Music follow-up. Tensions started to mount in the course of the assist of 2002’s Darkish Days album. Bassist Rayna Foss exited after the album was recorded, whereas Fafara and Meegs Rascon had an onstage altercation. The group would hearth drummer Mike Cox later that yr, and by 2003 the band has break up with Fafara occurring to start out up DevilDriver. The group would ultimately reform in 2011, however by 2018 that they had break up once more. However simply final yr (2022), Coal Chamber reformed for the third time, with Fafara indicating that new music may observe.

Cellophane

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Very similar to Coal Chamber, Ozzfest was a little bit of a launching level for Cellophane, who would subject their self-titled debut album in 1997. The band, which shaped in 1995, bought signed to Virgin Data off the energy of a demo produced by Ross Robinson. After a small membership tour yielded some optimistic returns, they have been contacted about enjoying Ozzfest.

The place Have been They After?

The band loved some optimistic issues after their Ozzfest look, teaming up with producer Howard Benson for his or her 1997 debut album and touchdown the track “Down” on the soundtrack for the movie Wishmaster. However issues took a flip when singer Shannon Crawford opted for a solo profession throughout pre-production of their sophomore set. Basically, the band’s tenure was temporary, however it needs to be famous that bassist Doug Ardito rebounded nicely by becoming a member of up with Puddle of Mudd a number of years later. Drummer Mark Bistany additionally hung out with Otep and Puddle of Mudd and guitarist John Chase recorded with Michael Jackson.

King Norris

The place Have been They Earlier than?

Although comparatively unknown within the music scene, the band’s greatest declare to fame was that frontman Fred Norris was a well known radio persona on Howard Stern’s radio present.

The place Have been They After?

The group did ultimately parlay their performances right into a 1999 studio album, Animal, which leaned extra exhausting rock and metallic in sound.