Ozzy Osbourne's Ozzfest: 10th Anniversary

Anthrax. Arch Enemy. In Flames. It Dies Today. Bury Your Dead. Sounds like a terrorist manifesto, and if Iron Maiden was on the list, we'd have the Bush administration's preferred method of dealing with terror suspects, too. But no, these are just some of the bands who appeared in 2005 at Ozzfest, the heavy metal noise-a-thon celebrating its 10th anniversary—captured on this 30-song compilation recorded in Dorington, England and Camden, NJ. Established as a head-banging alternative to all the other traveling festivals, Ozzfest "was an experiment that went crazy," says Ozzy Osbourne (in one of his few intelligible comments), and by now it's gig heaven for metal bands both new and established. Most of them sound identical, with their guitars grinding like a tank engine that won't start and "singers" all trying to sound like the voice of doom (exceptions include a Brit band called H.I.M., who actually show a passing familiarity with the concept of melody, and Wicked Wisdom, with actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, wife of Will, on vocals). But who cares? Ozzfest isn't just about the music, man. It's also about the fans—the ones bashing the crap out of each other in the giant mosh pit and getting really, really toasted (Rob Zombie's pithy summation of the experience: "It's hot, gnarly, and disgusting. It's fun."). Oh yeah, and as Sharon Osbourne points out, it's about business—big business, conducted with relentless efficiency. Of course, the climax comes when Ozzy and the Sab Four take the stage and deliver bone-crushing versions of "War Pigs," "Iron Man," and "Paranoid." Presented in DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, DVD extras include bonus interviews and performances, and the package also features an audio CD with 14 tracks. Still, the absence of Iron Maiden, among others, will rankle true metal-heads, making this an optional purchase. Aud: P. (S. Graham)