The largest North American heavy metal event of the year takes place this weekend (September 24 and 25) when Ozzfest Meets Knotfest rolls into the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino California. Legendary British metal pioneers, Black Sabbath will headline the Ozzfest portion of the festival on Saturday in one of their final performances in the United States. Sunday’s, Knotfest, will feature relative “newcomers” (when compared to the legendary Black Sabbath) Slipknot with their nine costumed members and modern style of metal. The 2 day festival will feature 36 acts performing on four stages set throughout the grounds. In addition to Black Sabbath and Slipknot, the main “Lemmy” stage will feature Disturbed, Megadeth, Opeth, Rival Sons, Anthrax, Slayer, Trivium and Black Label Society among others. Bands such as Sabaton, Suicidial Tendencies, Butcher Babies and Hatebreed will play the other stages.
In between watching the bands fans will be able to amuse themselves with carnival style sideshows and attractions. Festival go-ers can amuse themselves at the House of Hell Arena, billed as an interactive freak show combined with the “sickest” of carnival games. Players are invited to pitch a severed head in the Blood Dunk or visit the “Flush Tank”. If carnival rides are your scene, try a stint in the (Children of the) Grave-itron or a ride on the Ring of Fire. Travelling troupes of freaks performing stunts will entertain throughout the days as will the massive fueled fire displays
Ozzfest, was created by Ozzy and Sharon Osborne as an international travelling festival in 1996 and helped launch such acts as Drowning Pool, Coal Chamber and Marilyn Manson. Known for its carnival theme, Knotfest, was started in 2012 by Slipknot and at first toured the US and later expanded to Japan and Mexico. The first Ozzfest was held 20 years ago at The San Manuel Amphitheater and Festival Grounds.
