They know that will come, though.
For now, the band is working with a skeleton 30-minute set that they say they should be able to alter as needed. More difficult than that is the performance aspect: The band wants to put on a good show—but because of its members' involvements in other projects—bass player Casey Orr performs with GWAR, guitarist Mike Sciacca plays with Ministry—it's not like Rigor Mortis plays a thrash metal show every week anymore.
Apocalyptica
Witchcraft plays the second stage at this year's fest. And it might take some magic to keep Ozzfest here in the future too.
Related Content
More About
"We'll rehearse for four days straight the week before," Corbitt says. "That's the way we used to practice."
It'll be like getting back on an exercise routine, Harrison explains.
"You don't forget the songs," he says. "But you do forget how much endurance is involved. It hurts to play these songs. It's like going for a five-mile run after not running for a long time. You're gonna be sore."
When he walks, you can tell he knows what he's talking about; after years of performing as a metal drummer, there's a noticeable limp in Harrison's gait. "These songs are just so goddamn fast," he says, shaking his head.
Mentally, though, Corbitt and Harrison are prepared.
"As a band, you're always looking at these lineups and saying, 'Why the hell aren't we on there?'" Corbitt says. "Well, now we are, and we're excited."
Well, as excited as they'll allow themselves to be.
"We're on the third stage," Harrison says. "It's not like we're opening up for Metallica or anything. We're just gonna play."
Corbitt laughs.
"But it's Ozzfest," he reminds his band mate. "I've always seen it as a larger thing. I don't know why exactly, except for that it's Ozzfest."
"Yeah," Harrison responds after mulling over Corbitt's sentiment. "It's a pretty big deal. No matter where you're looking from, that lineup is a pretty big deal."
Then he laughs.
"That's just our luck, though," he says. "'Hey, you're on Ozzfest! But just for one day...''
"Yeah," he adds after another pause. "It'd be great if they made it a regular thing."
————
OZZ-FACT 1
In 2005, during Iron Maiden’s final performance on a stint in which the band joined Ozzfest’s lineup for a time, the band suffered multiple power losses and faced an angry crowd, which threw food and trash onstage at the band. Conspiracy theorists believe Sharon Osbourne cut the band’s power after hearing Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson speak badly about the tour.
OZZ-FACT2
“It’s supposed to be this variety show,” Ozzy says, “And I fucking hate the term. I guess it’s going to be more skits and comedy than anything else.”
OZZ-FACT3
In 2004, Dallas’ own A Dozen Furies rose to national fame when it competed on, and eventually won, MTV’s Battle for Ozzfest show. With the title, the band got a touring spot in the 10th anniversary Ozzfest tour, $65,000 in cash, a record deal and gear from Gibson guitars—as well as the stigma of being a reality TV-spawned band. A year-and-a-half later, the band broke up.
OZZ-FACT4
On Thursday, August 7, at The Loft, 10 local metal acts will perform in a battle of the bands called Garage to Ozz, in an effort to become the final band booked to the Texas stage. The bands competing: Blacktooth, Brotherhood, Debri, Early Pearl, Calling All War, Moving Atlas, Rivethead, Serosia, Born 2 Nothing and Stir the Silence.
OZZ-FACT5 The only person before Falgoust to perform as the vocalist for two acts during one Ozzfest show is Ozzy himself, who, in the festival’s 1998 tour of Europe, performed a set with his band Black Sabbath and another one under his solo banner.
