OZZFEST… METALLICA ARRIVES SATURDAY, AUGUST 9TH, 2008 DALLAS, TEXAS METALLICA JOINS OZZFEST FOR A ONE-DAY STADIUM SPECTACULAR

 
 
Dallas, TX (May 20, 2008) – 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. 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.
 
Tickets for this year's OZZFest will go on sale Saturday, May 31.  For up-to-the-minute details, go to www.Ozzfest.com. This year's OZZFest sponsors include Jägermeister, Monster Energy Drink, ESP Guitars and title sponsor Affliction Clothing.
 
About Metallica:
Formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, Metallica's fast tempos, instrumental prowess and aggressive musicianship originally placed them as one of the "Big Four" of the thrash metal genre, alongside Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax.  But the group–consisting of drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo–has gone on to expand their vision and become one of the most commercially successful and influential musical acts ever.  The band's 1986 release Master of Puppets is considered one of the most influential metal albums ever, while their 1991 self-titled album catapulted them to further fame, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 15 million copies, making it the 25th highest-selling album in the U.S.  With over 100 million records sold worldwide, including 57 million in the United States alone, the band has won seven Grammy Awards, and has had four albums peak at #1 on the Billboard 200.  Metallica has released eight studio albums, two live albums and two EPs, and is currently working on their ninth studio album with producer Rick Rubin, set for a 2008 release. 
 
About OZZFest: 
Since 1996, OZZFest has been a virtual breeding ground for rising bands. The festival has been instrumental in igniting the careers of platinum-selling artists like System of a Down, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Incubus, Slipknot, Queens of the Stone Age, Godsmack, Avenged Sevenfold, Mudvayne, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage and Lacuna Coil, among others. It was cited as "one of rock's biggest juggernauts" in the cover feature of Sunday's New York Times' "Arts & Leisure" section (6/25/06).  
 
About AEG Live:
AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring for a variety of programming, and multi-media production.  AEG Live, the nation's second-largest concert promotion and touring company, is comprised of special event, broadcast and exhibition divisions, fourteen regional offices, and numerous state-of-the-art venues nationwide.  The company's national promotion arm is currently producing tours and productions including Bette Midler "The Showgirl Must Go On" and Cher at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas; and "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," an international tour of the artifacts of King Tut.  Recent and upcoming promoted concert tours have included artists such as Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi, Hannah Montana, Spice Girls, Prince, Christina Aguilera, Kenny Chesney, So You Think You Can Dance, Paul McCartney, High School Musical, American Idols Live and The Color Purple.  Goldenvoice, the company's Southern California-based regional promotion division, created and operates the award-winning annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival as well as Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival. The company operates NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie in Texas, NOKIA Theatre Times Square, and recently opened NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE. For more information, go to www.aeglive.com.

 

 

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