“For the first time since its 1996 debut, OZZFEST–the annual musical event that celebrates hard rock and heavy metal–has created a special one-night-only New Year’s Eve celebration to ring in 2019.” writes the press release from MSO PR. This extravagant event rang in the new year in style for all the rock and metalheads of California, featuring an incredible lineup. Alongside the Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne, the main stage inside the forum featured the likes of Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Jonathan Davis, and Body Count! For early arrivers, the outdoor stage hosted horror junkie Wednesday 13, explosive metal band DevilDriver, and the famous Zakk Sabbath.

 

WEDNESDAY 13

 

It may be winter in Los Angeles, but Wednesday 13 made sure California saw snow at Ozzfest! With a crew member shooting ice at the crowd from a truck, Wednesday 13 was unforgettable as they took over the outdoor stage for a 2:30pm set. Getting the crowd pumped up to kick the festival off, Wednesday 13 has created a theatrical extravaganza that unites intense, passionate music with gore and dark imagery to make even the shyest of horror fans step up to the front. Some of the routines were custom-tailored for Ozzfest, while others featured beloved fan favorites.

 

 

DEVILDRIVER

 

DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, guitarists Mike Spreitzer and Neal Tiemann, drummer Austin D’Amond, and bassist Diego “Ashes” Ibarra. Since the release of their highly successful album, “Outlaws ‘Til The End: Vol 1”, the band has been on the road selling out shows left and right. This band is well known for their mosh pits, holding record sizes in European music festivals. Fans had already begun forming pits in the Forum parking lot before the band had even started playing music, gearing up for an explosive performance.

 

 

ZAKK SABBATH

 

An act that is pure fun and pure shredding joy, Zakk Sabbath is the Black Sabbath cover band featuring guitarist/vocalist Zakk Wylde, bassist Blasko, and drummer Joey Castillo. What makes it even better is that Zakk Wylde and Blasko both played (or are currently playing) for Ozzy Osbourne! The hour long shred-fest was met with the most unbelievable skill the audience had seen, likely inspiring hundreds of guitarists in the crowd to step up their game.

 

 

BODY COUNT

 

Los Angeles legends Body Count initiated the indoor festivities at the Forum, playing first on the main stage. Featuring Ice-T, Body Count “This is the group that dropped hip-hop attitude into heavy metal and hard rock music before Rage Against The Machine, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Hollywood Undead made records, despite nary an ounce of rapping over their mosh-pit inducing songs. Body Count is a full on metal band, fronted by a legendary rapper who drops knowledge, violent stories and verbal middle fingers, with a bellowing growl descended from some of punk rock’s most pissed off screamers.” writes the band’s record label Century Media.

 

The crowd roared for the act as they made their way on to the stage, with police lights and sirens lighting up the stage and Ice-T stepping out in an orange jumpsuit. The performance was energetic and wild, fueled by fun and excitement. The set opened with a tribute to Slayer via “Raining Blood” and “Postmortem.” The rest of the performance featured fan favorites and some fun stage antics, such as Ice-T showering his guitarist Ernie with water. However, the indoor seating arrangement was a bit of a qualm for the frontman, who found the implemented seats and lack of a pit something to comment on- stating “This is the first time in 10 years I’ve ever played without a moshpit.”

 

 

JONATHAN DAVIS

 

KoRn frontman Jonathan Davis bellowed out songs from his solo album, illuminating the venue in a moody red light. Throwing in “Forsaken” that many gothic fans knew from the film Queen of the Damned, the audience was enthralled with the man’s performance. Still playing with the same quirks and fun quipps from KoRn live performances, Jonathan Davis’ vocals are just as impressive as he is.

 

 

MARILYN MANSON

 

Marilyn Manson continued on next, playing a set list the spanned the man’s entire career (making many devoted Manson fans very happy!). Unfortunately, photographers were not permitted to capture images of Manson, otherwise we would be happy to show just how extravagant and unique the stage set up! Featuring a podium and a variety of mood-enducing accessories, Manson finished his set with his biggest hits.

 

ROB ZOMBIE

 

Rob Zombie is always a visual treat, and likely the most visually grabbing of the evening. Complete with wild costuming, props, and an expressive lighting arrangement- Rob Zombie riled the crowd up brilliantly before Osbourne. Despite feeling ill prior to the performance, Rob Zombie put his all into the set.

 

Zombie requested that fans put away their cell phones and just enjoy the set, to which many happily obliged. Rob’s set opened with the scintillating “Dead City Radio,” featured White Zombie standout “More Human Than Human,” as well as digging into some covers taking on Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” and the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter.”

 

The fun didn’t stop there, as Zombie invited Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx and Marilyn Manson on stage to perform. The set ended up “Dragula”, a beloved tune for many.

 

OZZY OSBOURNE

 

Anxiously anticipating the Prince of Darkness, fans were very excited to see Ozzy. Before the man of the hour made it unto the stage, the crowd was treated to to a video presentation featuring Ozzy throughout the years. Once the audience became fully invested in the evening’s festivities, the late night extravaganza began. The band started on time at 11:30pm, and shy of midnight, a giant disco ball descended from the middle of the Forum and Ozzy Osbourne confetti covered the venue when the clock hit midnight.

 

The year started off right in 2019 as fans were able to head home with plentiful memories to last a lifetime.