OZZFEST RUMORS BEGIN TO SWIRL

On the heels of the recent announcement of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour, the rumor mill has begun to churn with band names said to be involved in Ozzfest negotiations. According to SMNnews.com, *rumored* (not confirmed) bands are as follows:

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

We’re not sure whether this is pure speculation based on who will be touring this summer and hasn’t already committed to a different package or whether this is insider knowledge, but there are certainly some interesting prospects in there. And if it shapes up as above, you know what, that’s a pretty killer lineup, definitely on the same suck-to-awesome ratio as the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour. I’ve already expressed my excitement about seeing a Stone Temple Pilots reunion, and with band members coming out in the press as saying it’s happening, Ozzfet would certainly be a possibility. Serj Tankian makes sense and would be pretty cool (released an album this past fall); same with Killswitch Engage (did Warped Tour last summer, time for a metal tour), Dillinger Escape Plan (new album out), and Between the Buried and Me. Testament have a new album on the way, and Filter announced today that they have a new album coming out in May. The Richard Patrick / STP dynamic could be interesting given their history in Army of Anyone, but presumably they’re all on good terms. Cavalera Conspiracy would certainly be fun… and though I hate to say it, an Ozzy show sounds like a snoozefest at this point in his career. The only weak links would be Bullet For My Valentine and Fair to Midland (whoever the fuck that is).

Not a bad tour at all. If it ends up this way.

-VN