Man Sentenced To Six Years After Ozzfest Crime

Blabbermouth.net reports: Illinois' The Herald News reports that a 33-year-old Crest Hill man has been sentenced to six years behind bars for sexually assaulting a woman at Tinley Park's First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre during Ozzfest 2006.

Patrick Miller pleaded guilty Monday (August 4) to one count of criminal sexual assault in a Bridgeview courtroom, according to Cook County state's attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton. Circuit Judge Colleen McSweeney-Moore set Miller's sentence.

Immediately after the July 16, 2006, concert attack — which occurred in a secluded, grassy area west of the amphitheater, near 191st Street and east of Harlem Avenue — Tinley Park police were able to recover evidence from the victim and the crime scene. However, it took nearly a year for a state-run crime lab to process evidence and match up a suspect, police Cmdr. Phil Valois said. During that time, police continued their investigation trying to track down a suspect.

Read the full article at The Herald News.

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Report

Monsters of Rock

Nearly 20,000 hard rock and metal fans braved the heat on Saturday to show their support for the one-off, one-day Monsters of Rock in Calgary, AB. While the line to get into McMahon Stadium stretched over a football field in length as ticket holders went through to the necessary ticket scans and bag checks, Zimmers Hole grabbed the stage by the bull horns and audibly spurred concert goers as they trickled in. Zimmers Hole, fronted by Chris Valagao (who later signed autographs wearing nothing but red body paint and a butt flap), gave a short, but high energy sampling of funny, thrashy goodness. And it was super cool of Ozzy to have a Canadian band kick start the festivities. More...

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The Bitches are Back

Known for her arsenal of BC Rich guitars - affectionately called "bitches" by those who play them - and her talent for ripping things up as good as the next guy, Lita Ford shredded things up last night at Rocklahoma in Pryor, OK, a four day rock and metal fest featuring bands from the '80s like Queensrÿche, Warrant and Tesla.

Joining her on stage were Stet Howland (W.A.S.P.) on drums, Teddy Cook (Dio) on Bass, Michael T. Ross (Bent Pussycat) on keyboards, and Tom Cavanagh (Angel) on guitar.

According to Rocklahoma's official website this is Lita's first show in 15 years, not counting the warm-up gigs she did around New York earlier this month under the guise of a Lita Ford tribute act called Kiss Me Deadly.

After gaining notoriety for her guitar skills with The Runaways, Lita left the all-female rock group to forge a solo career in 1979, scoring huge hits with tunes like "Gotta Let It Go," "Kiss Me Deadly," and "Close My Eyes Forever," a duet with Ozzy Osbourne.

At the height of her career, Lita toured with some of the biggest acts in rock and metal, heavy hitters like Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, proving that girls could play guitar and helping introduce a once male-dominated genre to legions of head-banging chicks across the globe.

The Queen of Metal recently signed on with Coallier Entertainment , a New York-based label that also houses Foreigner and Twisted Sister on their roster. Does this mean we can expect a new album from the metal glamazon? This mother of two is keeping mum, but rumours of a press conference on Monday should reveal if her hiatus is finally over.

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Ozzfest Will Return As A Travelling Event In 2009

Sharon Osbourne was recently promoting the season of "America's Got Talent" on the "Opie And Anthony Show", during the phone call, she confirmed that Ozzfest 2009 will be a travelling festival once again, unlike this years which will be held solely in Dallas, Texas. You can hear the phone call at this location.

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Ozzy Osbourne Wins Libel Damages

Ozzy Osbourne has won a case against the newspaper the Daily Star, who claimed that he threw the Brit Awards into mayhem following a health scare. The paper alledged that organizers were considering sending him to hospital after Ozzy had toppled over a few times. All winnings from the case will be donated to the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program.

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Drowning Pool Singer Slams Papa Roach

Drowning Pool vocalist Ryan McCombs has posted two blogs recently regarding a show the band performed with Papa Roach, Alter Bridge and Rev Theory. Check them out below:

"The powers that be have been after me for some time to write another blog. Hell, at one point it was even suggested that I try to start some controversy with some other acts. You know the old 'no such thing as bad press' BS. It was suggested that I take a shot at Kid Rock one time. WHAT??? Here's a dude that marches the same path we do supporting our troops. Yeah, right, I'll get right on that.

"Actually, I will, but not at Kid Rock. Hell, I respect the guy — why would I do that?! I need a reason to be a prick. Anyone out there that knows me knows that much. So let me get to it. Let me make everyone happy.

"I'm sitting here in Mt. Clemens, Michigan at a radio show for WRIF, a bad-ass station up here in these parts. On the bill tonight was four bands that led us to look forward to this show tonight. REV THEORY, who we've been on the road with for a few shows here the past couple of weeks. ALTER BRIDGE, who I have no idea about, and PAPA ROACH, who happens to be 10th Street (our management) family of ours. Family, my ass. More...

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In This Moment Angry With Anti-Ozzfest Messages

IN THIS MOMENT have issued the following update:

"We have received a ton of messages in response to our Ozzfest 2008 announcement, there have been lots of questions and some confusion regarding Ozzfest 2008 and we feel that they need to be addressed. First off everyone is asking if Ozzfest 2008 is a one day show or if its a full tour, the press release states that it is a ONE DAY destination event, so yes everyone Ozzfest this year is ONE DAY August 9th in Dallas Texas. The fact that it will only be one day this year seems to have really pissed off a lot of people who don't live in Texas, we understand being disappointed about something like this because Ozzfest has become something alot of people have come to count on every year, it's ok to be disappointed, we get it, we would love to tour the whole country with this amazing package too, but guess what.....its only one show this year so we have to deal with it. The people who are bashing Ozzy and Sharon with words like "betrayed" or "fucked over" are way out of line. Ozzy and Sharon created this innovative festival that gave metal and rock lovers across the U.S. a chance to see a bunch of awesome bands each year, they also gave numerous underground bands a chance to play in front of thousands of people who otherwise would have never known about them, they blazed the trail for every other hard rock/metal festival out there today and they even made it free last year, people should show a little respect. Ozzy has been on tour for 11 months, if he decides not to do a full Ozzfest tour this year that's his business. Ozzy and Sharon have given In This Moment some amazing opportunities over the last 2 years and we have nothing but the utmost respect for them and what they do . That being said please stop sending messages bashing Ozzfest or the Osbournes, we won't post them, so it's a waste of your time. We love our fans and we know some of you are disappointed so let me assure you, we will be touring our asses off starting in September and we will be coming to your town. Hang tight, we love you all, see you soon."

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Two More Bands Confirmed For Ozzfest 2008

As previously reported, Ozzfest will be a one day even this year, taking place on August 9th in Dallas, Texas. Two more acts have been added to the "Texas Stage", namely The Destro and Within Chaos.

The lineup so far is as follows:

Main Stage: OZZY OSBOURNE, METALLICA, SERJ TANKIAN, HELLYEAH, JONATHAN DAVIS, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SHADOWS FALL, APOCALYPTICA, IN THIS MOMENT, All-Star Tribute To "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

Second Stage: SEVENDUST, DEVILDRIVER, KINGDOM OF SORROW, SOILENT GREEN, WITCHCRAFT, GOATWHORE.

Texas Stage: THE SWORD, DROWNING POOL, RIGOR MORTIS, WITHIN CHAOS, THE DESTRO.

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Headline News

Ozzfest 2008 Confirmed As One-Day Event

OZZFEST--the original and iconic hard rock festival--returns in 2008 as a one-day stadium spectacular on Saturday, August 9 in Dallas, Texas that teams OZZFEST founder and namesake Ozzy Osbourne (in his only U.S. concert appearance this summer) with Metallica (marking their OZZFEST debut).

Produced by Sharon Osbourne and AEG LIVE, the all-day festival at Pizza Hut Park in hard music-loving Dallas will feature three stages of non-stop talent (with many OZZFEST alumni) and reliably twisted OZZFEST side attractions.

The full main stage lineup will also 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 slain Pantera guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott. Second stage acts include Sevendust, Devildriver, Kingdom of Sorrow, Soilent Green, Witchcraft and Goatwhore. The Texas (third) stage—“an homage to the “many great metal bands that come from Texas,” says Sharon Osbourne--features The Sword, Drowning Pool and Rigor Mortis.

“Ozzy just finished an 11-month world tour so I think he deserves a summer off,” Sharon says about this year’s one-day OZZFEST. “We’re going to be a stadium destination festival for now--we have gone past doing the sheds every summer. We’ve given everyone else the blueprint and we have to keep evolving OZZFEST. This is just the beginning; AEG Live and I have a lot of new ideas for OZZFEST."

This year’s dynamic line-up encompasses artists who’ve played OZZFEST before in different incarnations such as Serj Tankian (System of a Down); 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.

“Ozzy has great relationships with all of the bands that have played OZZFEST,” says Sharon. “We’re the only real festival for harder edge bands and these artists have been very loyal to us--there is lots of love on this line-up."

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Dallas Ozzfest To Feature Metallica and Ozzy

Blabbermouth.net is reporting that this summer's Ozzfest will consist of two separate two-day (Saturday/Sunday) events — one of which will be held in Dallas — in late July/early August, with OZZY OSBOURNE headlining one day and METALLICA the other.

Reactivated Texas thrash/speed metallers RIGOR MORTIS have now announced via their MySpace page that they are confirmed for Ozzfest 2008 in Dallas on Saturday, August 9. METALLICA will apparently close out the show this night.

RIGOR MORTIS will perform with its original lineup consisting of Bruce Corbitt (TEXAS METAL ALLIANCE), Mike Scaccia (MINISTRY, REVOLTING COCKS, BLOHOLE), Casey Orr (GWAR, MITRA, X-COPS, THE HELLIONS, BLOHOLE), and Harden Harrison (MITRA, PERVIS, SPEEDEALER).

The Ozzfest reports come in the wake of this year's arrival of the metal-oriented Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour, which will play 30 North American amphitheaters during July and August, the time when Ozzfest is traditionally making its rounds.

Last year's Ozzfest offered free admission, with fans acquiring tickets mostly through sponsoring web sites. But the acts were not paid either, which resulted in a decidedly less than impressive main stage lineup. The Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour trek has already robbed Ozzfest of two potential main-stage heavyweights in DISTURBED and SLIPKNOT, with fan favorites DRAGONFORCE and MASTODON also taking part in the Mayhem tour.

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More Details On Ozzy's Monsters Of Rock Festival

With 3 Inches of Blood just confirmed for Ozzy's Monsters Of Rock concert that is to take place July 26th we will be at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Shadows Fall has now confirmed their participation. The planned lineup currently includes the following bands:

Ozzy Osbourne
Judas Priest
Serj Tankian
Hatebreed
Shadows Fall
Cavalera Conspiracy
Voivod
Testament
3 Inches of Blood
Priestess
Zimmers Hole
Dillinger Escape Plan

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3 Inches of Blood Sign On To Monsters Of Rock Fest

3 Inches Of Blood have officially signed on for Ozzy Osbourne's "Monsters Of Rock Festival" which will take place at the McMahon Stadium in Calgary, AB on July 26th. More details on the festival are expected in the coming weeks.

Also, rumors have been floating around about Ozzfest as of late. One of which, suggests that Metallica and Ozzy will be headlining the bill. With the tour also rumored to be 2 seperate two-day festivals. It's expected that within one or two weeks there's going to be an official announcement about this years Ozzfest.

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Ozzfest Coming To London?

Kerrang.com reports that Ozzfest 2008 is strongly rumored to be coming to the UK with a one-off show at London's 02 Arena on July 19.

OZZY OSBOURNE, who begins a series a South American tour on March 30 with KORN and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, looks set to headline the one-day extravaganza.

Although promoters and agents involved with the show are remaining tight-lipped, Kerrang.com believes that other bands in the running are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, ALICE IN CHAINS, SERJ TANKIAN, DIMMU BORGIR and LACUNA COIL.

As previously reported, the U.S. version of Ozzfest is rumored to be morphing into a two-day "destination festival" in Dallas. There has been no official word yet on what format Ozzfest will take or who will be on the bill.

The rumors come in the wake of this year's arrival of the metal-oriented Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour, which will play 30 North American amphitheaters during July and August, the time when Ozzfest is traditionally making its rounds.

Last year's Ozzfest offered free admission, with fans acquiring tickets mostly through sponsoring web sites. But the acts were not paid either, which resulted in a decidedly less than impressive main stage lineup. The Mayhem trek has already robbed Ozzfest of two potential main-stage heavyweights in DISTURBED and SLIPKNOT, with fan favorites DRAGONFORCE and MASTODON also taking part in the Mayhem tour.

OZZY OSBOURNE is likely to headline the U.S. Ozzfest as a solo act again, since his BLACK SABBATH bandmates are busy with their HEAVEN AND HELL offshoot.

The Mayhem tour is being co-produced by Kevin Lyman, who has the successful Warped and Taste of Chaos packages on his resume.

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Ozzy Osbourne Slams Reality TV

Speaking exclusively with Sunday News from his Los Angeles mansion, Ozzy Osbourne, the star of the hit show "The Osbournes", said he'd grown to hate reality TV.

"I'm sick and tired of it," Ozzy said.

"I don't like being on the TV we learned that the hard way with having cameras on us 24 hours a day from "The Osbournes" show.

"It seems that every time I turn on the TV they've got another bunch of celebrities with cameras in their faces following them around for a new show and I can't stand it.

"The only good reality show I can think of now is taking a whole bunch of kids, a wild animal and a bucket of dogshit," he laughs. "That's what I think of the whole thing."

But despite his growing disgust with the star-struck brand of reality TV he pioneered with his wife Sharon and kids Jack and Kelly, Ozzy has again found himself in front of the cameras.

Jack Osbourne has been following his heavy metal father around for a documentary on the legendary rocker.

"I knew nothing about it and I turned around one day and he had a camera on me, so I thought, so be it," Ozzy said.

"My son's like me in that way. He'd rather be behind the camera than in front of it."

Read the entire article at www.stuff.co.nz.

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Ozzfest To Become A "Destination Festival"?

Ozzfest, the long-running touring metal package, is rumored to be morphing into a two-day "destination festival" in Dallas. There has been no official word yet on what format Ozzfest will take or who will be on the bill.

The rumors come in the wake of this year's arrival of the metal-oriented Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour, which will play 30 North American amphitheaters during July and August, the time when Ozzfest is traditionally making its rounds.

Last year's Ozzfest offered free admission, with fans acquiring tickets mostly through sponsoring web sites. But the acts were not paid either, which resulted in a decidedly less than impressive main stage lineup. The Mayhem trek has already robbed Ozzfest of two potential main-stage heavyweights in DISTURBED and SLIPKNOT, with fan favorites DRAGONFORCE and MASTODON also taking part in the Mayhem tour.

OZZY OSBOURNE is likely to headline Ozzfest as a solo act again, since his BLACK SABBATH bandmates are busy with their HEAVEN AND HELL offshoot.

The Mayhem tour is being co-produced by Kevin Lyman, who has the successful Warped and Taste of Chaos packages on his resume.

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Ozzy Osbourne To Appear At Australian Grand Prix

According to Australia's Herald Sun, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne are expected to be guests at next month's Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The self-professed Prince of Darkness will play Rod Laver Arena on the Saturday of the GP, and is said to be planning a trip to the track, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge on the 89th floor of Eureka Tower.

Sunrise Music correspondent Molly Meldrum conducted an interview with Ozzy Osbourne during the recent U.S. leg of the singer's "Black Rain" tour. The full and uncut 45-minute chat can be viewed below.

OZZY OSBOURNE's latest CD, "Black Rain", was certified gold on December 14, 2007 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States.

"Black Rain" was reissued on November 20 as a "Special Limited-Edition Tour Package" featuring a bonus CD of live tracks and B-sides. The bonus CD includes the following cuts:

01. I Don't Wanna Stop (live)
02. Not Going Away (live)
03. Here For You (live)
04. Nightmare
05. Can't Save You
06. Love To Hate

"Black Rain" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart, with first-week sales of 152,000 copies. More...

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Ozzfest 2008 Rumours Begin To Surface

Bands for the limited run dates which will make up OZZFEST 2008 have started to surface. Like 2007, a shortened tour is expected, with rumored artists for this year’s lineup possibly featuring the likes of:

OZZY OSBOURNE
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
SERJ TANKIAN
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
CAVALERA CONSPIRACY
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
FILTER
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
TESTAMENT
FAIR TO MIDLAND

…more rumors TBA

It’s presently unclear whether the ‘freefest’ model will be adopted for this year or whether or not Ozzy will ship out by his lonesome or be joined by his fellow Birmingham compatriots for another BLACK SABBATH run.

Press from October of last year points to the likelihood of the former, rather than another reunion. The aging rocker was quoted as saying, “as far as I know” when quizzed over his headlining the summer roadshow. Regarding Sabbath he simply stated, “I’m the last person to be told anything. I’d love to do another [Black] Sabbath album. There are a bunch of things written. But the problem I’m having is it’s got to be at least on the same level as when we departed. If it’s not, then what’s the point in doing it?”

OZZFEST 2007 featured the following criterion:

1. Tickets/Entrance was free
2. Ozzy Osbourne headlined (…and debuted new music from Black Rain)
3. It was a 25-date haul that kicked off in LA on July 7

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Sevendust To Support Ozzy Osbourne In Australia

SEVENDUST will open for OZZY OSBOURNE on a string of Australian dates in March, which include:

March
15 - Melbourne, Australia - Rod Laver Arena
18 - Sydney, Australia - Acer Arena
20 - Brisbane, Australia - Brisbane Entertainment Centre

As previously reported, Sevendust are set to release their seventh studio album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow, on April 1st.

Hope & Sorrow was produced by Sean Groove, Morgan Rose and John Connolly in Atlanta, GA at Tree Sounds Studios. The release will be their second on the band’s wholly owned record label, 7Bros. Records under Warner Music Group.

For the first time since Animosity (2001), the band has collaborated with outside artists. As the record gets finalized over the next few weeks, identities of the guest appearances will surface - Sevendust felt bringing in some outside friends added a healthy dynamic for the project. Additionally, the band has signed on new management and feels like is a fresh new beginning for 2008!

"It was a challenging and exciting to write. We've spent so much time with angst over our career that is was nice to in a good head space for a change while working on this project." - Morgan Rose, drums

"There was a really relaxed vibe in the studio this time around. I think Hope and Sorrow shows a different side of Sevendust. Heavy but yet still growing in a direction that explores a lot of different things musically for us. I'm excited about the album." - LaJon Witherspoon, vocals

Confirmed tracklisting: 'Inside', 'Enough', 'Hope', 'Scapegoat', 'Fear', 'The Past', 'Prodigal Son', 'Lifeless', 'Sorrow', 'Contradiction', 'Walk Away'.

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Randy Rhoads Documentary "80 Percent Done"

Director Peter Margolis of Dakota Pictures has told Knoxville's Metro Pulse that he is "about 80 percent done shooting" his much-anticipated Randy Rhoads (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT) documentary film. "But the first 80 percent took as long as it's going to take for the last 20 percent," Margolis explained. "It's the same as if you've ever built a house. Pouring the concrete and putting up the walls is easy. It's the finishing touches, the final stuff, that takes forever....I work, too. I'm doing the film because it's something I want to do, but I can't ignore my career. I'm doing it around my schedule, so at times it's slow going. Realistically, it'll be summertime before I finish all the interviews, then trimming it, adding pictures and music.”

In 2005, Margolis, a veteran TV producer, director, and production manager who's worked, in varying capacities, on "NewsRadio", "Just Shoot Me!", and "The Larry Sanders Show", was working on a televised awards show in Los Angeles. He sat down for lunch with a camera operator he'd worked with several times but only knew casually. The operator told Margolis he was from Burbank, and Margolis told him he'd taken guitar lessons there from Rhoads in 1978 and '79.

"In the middle of L.A., where there are 5,000 camera operators, I was talking to the one guy who was Randy's guitar tech when he was in QUIET RIOT," Margolis says. The camera operator introduced Margolis to Lori Hollen, who had been president of the QUIET RIOT fan club when she was a teenager. A few weeks after Margolis met Hollen, he was pitching a documentary film to Randy's mother, Delores Rhoads, in her living room in Burbank.

"She'd been approached by writers, directors, filmmakers, and repeatedly said no," Margolis says. "She felt like it had to be someone who knew him. Anybody else couldn't understand what he was about and who he was."

Margolis and his crew started filming on March 19, 2007, when hundreds of fans gathered at Rhoads' grave in San Bernardino, Calif., to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death. Since then, Margolis has filmed almost 80 interviews, with Rhoads' family and friends and people who worked with him. The list of names includes Kelli Garni, the original bassist in QUIET RIOT; Carlos Cavazo, the guitarist in the "Metal Health" line-up of QUIET RIOT; Sarzo and his brother Robert, who was considered as a replacement for Rhoads in Ozzy's band; Jodi Raskin, Rhoads' girlfriend at the time of his death; Grover Jackson, whose company made Rhoads' signature guitars; Randy's brother Kelle, who's wearing the silver "RR" ring Rhoads had on when he died; and MOUNTAIN guitarist and '70s legend Leslie West, one of Rhoads' idols.

Margolis says he has a distribution deal lined up, but he also plans to shop the as-yet-untitled documentary at film festivals when it's done. More...

Read the full article at Metro Pulse.

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Judas Priest To Co-Headline Ozzfest 2008?

According to the The Metal Report, the two most anticipated summer tours for US hard rock and metal fans for 2008 are taking shape. From the creators of the Vans-Warped tour, we will see the debut of the Rockstar Mayhem tour, sponsored by Rockstar Energy drink which will compete against metal juggernaut, Ozzfest.

The Metal Report can confirm that SLIPKNOT, DISTURBED, and 5 FINGER DEATH PUNCH will in fact be apart of the Rockstar Mayhem tour line up.

As for Ozzfest, OZZY OSBOURNE stated he will headline each show with his solo band, featuring legendary guitarist ZAKK WYLDE. JUDAS PRIEST has been rumored to co-headline in 2008, however new rumors are now suggesting the band may tour with HEAVEN & HELL instead of Ozzfest. More news as it develops.

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