Review: OZZFEST Turns To Sweatfest

The Philadelphia Inquirer has published several photos taken at yesterday's (July 19) Ozzfest stop in Camden, New Jersey. Check them out at this location. An excerpt from David Hiltbrand's review of the day-long event follows:

"Some of the bands performing on the second stage are SOILWORK, TRIVIUM and MASTODON. HEAT PROSTRATION was a late, unannounced addition. EMS techs stand on the ramparts in front of the stage scanning the crowd for droppers.

"Fortunately, the Ozzfest audience gives up its dead. As soon as someone crumples to the ground, the body is lifted up and crowd-surfed, hand over hand, to the front to receive medical attention.

"Adam Riordan, 17, of Philadelphia, has retreated to the fringe of the crowd. 'I came for the mosh pit,' he says gingerly, 'but I got kicked in the mouth.'

"Ozzfest veterans like Joe Chernowski, 36, of Philadelphia, who is there with his wife, Joan, know you have to pace yourself. 'We may have to hide in the shade for a while if we're going to survive until tonight,' he says.

"Over the years, Chernowski has attended the festival in many cities, but he likes Camden best. 'I think it's killer that you have the city skyline as a backdrop,' he says. 'And the fans in Philly are pretty fanatical.'

"Shane Keen, 22, of Allentown, has taken refuge in the air-conditioned Tweeter lobby. He's dressed all in maroon, down to his spangly boots. His long, blond hair is braided.

"At the moment Keen is nursing his hurt feelings. One of the bands he came to see, ARCH ENEMY, just canceled. 'Their bus broke down,' he says bitterly. 'So far this isn't so good. The lineup was better last year, and it's way too hot.'

"The previous year was most memorable, of course, because the show's namesake, Ozzy Osbourne, bailed at the last minute. Krysta Kjelle, 19, of Edison, N.J., who travels with the show and works at a balloon-popping concession, recalls the aftermath.

"'We thought they were going to riot. We shut down all the booths and ran,' she says. 'But I love working Ozzfest. It's an awesome feeling meeting 30,000 people a day.'"

Read the rest of the review at this location.