Review written by: !?#@$%* (stu06642@aug.edu)
Review posted on: 08/26/98 10:33:22

To all who are downing Megadeth and Motorhead, remember who paved the 
way for bands like Soulfly and Sevendust, who rocked also by the way. 
 The only thing that Motorhead had going against them was a really 
bad sound tech.  Sevendust kicked.  Hell everyone was awesome.  Even 
Coal Chamber was good.  Regardless of what many not so musically 
inclined people said Megadeth was one of the highlights of the show. 
Ozzy?  Like you didn't know he was going to kick.  But if Ozzy was 
not there that the tour could have definitely been named Toolfest.  
Again, like you had to ask.  Toll rules in the studio and in stage.  
It was very refreshing to hear Sweat, which I haven't heard live 
since Lollapalooza back in '93.  Stinkfist was awesome as well, 
especially with the awesome bridge in the middle.  Rev. Melvin was 
also a welcome sight to add to the confused redneck faces of Raleigh. 
 I don't think they know what hit them.  The extended version of 
Pushit gave me more chills than I ever thought possible.  I felt like 
a girl at a New Kids concert ready to ball my eyes out and scream, 
MAYNARD!!!!!!!!!!!, at the top of my lungs.  If you've never seen 
Tool live you haven't lived.  I urge you to go to a Tool show and see 
for yourself what everyone on this page has been telling you for 
years.






Review written by: Richard Pryor (KevinL6@hotmail.com)
Review posted on: 08/23/98 19:53:08

We will make this short and sweet! We, along with 90% of the other 
people sat in the parking lot and drank beer wondering what the 
horrible screeching sound was coming from the stadium.  We later 
found out that it was none other than those old fogies Motorhead.  By 
the way....what the hell is that thing on his face..damn he's ugly.
Other than that, we basically thought everybody played well except 
for "korn" chamber.  We also thought that Megadeth was really good.  
You don't have to jump all over the stage while screaming and 
breaking things to put on a good show.  I guess some posers today 
just can't appreciate that.  The hightlight of the day was when Tool 
played "stinkfist" with King Buzz from the Melvins on lead guitar.  
That guy's a freaking God.  We're sure Ozzy put on a great show but 
we were tired and extremely intoxicated and decided to beat all the 
'necks' out of the place.  C-ya next time.  








Review written by: Fungus (fisher@radonc.unc.edu)
Review posted on: 08/06/98 17:02:14

Awesome.  The first time I've been able to see Tool in concert, and I was
NOT disappointed.  The sound quality was great, the light/visual show was
better, and the band was flawless.  I found the "Jerry Fah-well" act
highly amusing. 







Review written by: Master Reviewer (AOL.COM)
Review posted on: 08/05/98 13:04:41

Other reviews have pretty much described the experience.  Tool played 
 great.  Ozzy was cool.  Really put a lot of energy in his show.  
Some people have said the bands all sound the same.  Well they 
actually did but it was that type of festival and everyone should 
have expected that.  Otherwise, all the bands sounded good.  Tool 
didn't play as well as they have in the past but they still can play 
a better set on a bad night than others can at their best.  I guess 
they set the bar so high that it is hard for them to live up to their 
own standards.






Review written by: Brandon Myers (bmyers@dg-rtp.dg.com)
Review posted on: 08/05/98 11:34:16

Everything that can been said about Tool has already been said,
so I'll just talk about the other bands.  I was happy to see that
Motorhead was on the main stage for this concert; they rocked,
but the sound was terrible and they didn't play a single song
from their latest album.
Next was Sevendust, who I wasn't sure about, but they really
surprised me by kicking ass.
I skipped Coal Chamber, because if I wanted to hear the worst
parts of Marylyn Manson, Korn, and White Zombie all thrown together
and all the good parts removed, I would listen to the worst songs
by the three of these bands.
Soulfly and Limp Biskit blew goats.  I was expecting some good
music from these two, but all their songs sounded the same. 
Like crap.  I was so sick of Soulfly shouting their name in
every single song they played.
Megadeth rocked.  They did not play for 90 minutes; they played for
1 hour just like Tool.  People like to remember things how they want 
to, not how it happened.
Blazing solos, rocking riffs, anything you could want.  I admit that 
Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman, and even Ozzy Osbourne are spotlight
hogging, ego boosting pricks, but they put on a great show.
The crowd loved Megadeth.
Tool was great, but that has already been said. 

"Like some little piece of cloth really made a difference"

Ozzy rocked.  Those of you who left early missed out, not just
on some great music, but bare breasts too.
The videos were funny, but Ozzy did not play a single song off his
latest album, much like Motorhead.
Odd.






Review written by: loser (joker@jnent.com)
Review posted on: 08/04/98 02:17:41

the show in raleigh was damn good...the main reason i went was
to see TOOL. It was the third time i saw them and i still think 
that they are the best band ever. the only problem was that they 
didn't play long enough, megdeth went on before them and played
a lot longer..and they weren't very good. I was pissed...but at 
least that meant that it was darker outside when TOOL played so
they could turn on the giant screens and you could see all the
strange images that they always show at their concerts. they played
a slower version of "pushit" that was really good. one of the main 
things that i wanted to see was what maynard would be wearing. i 
liked the outfit, but it wasn't as cool as the white makeup at last 
years lollapalooza, that image still haunts me. i wasn't on the lawn 
but i was still far back so i didn't realize that it was maynard 
comming on stage b/c of the blonde wig...thankfully the rednecks that 
were sitting in front of me were gone the whole time tool was on so i 
didn't have to put up with thier bullshit. over all it was a good 
show, limp bizkit was really entertaining and it was pretty cool to 
see ozzy.






Review written by: chuk (casandra@backroads.net)
Review posted on: 08/03/98 16:12:06

    the ozzfest 98, or toolfest as i heard it being called
as i bailed after tool played to beat the traffic and 
sunburnt, bleeding, moshing rednecks, fucking rocked, 
despite the aweful soundman. tool was the pennical
of rocking grace fo the day for me and my gilfriend.
i hope to see tool in our brand new arena in greenville s.c.
if you build it they will come. i wish tool had played longer






Review written by: The_UltraSpank (bilechunks@yahoo.com)
Review posted on: 08/03/98 15:33:52

The Three best Performances at this Ozzfest are in this Order
1.TOOL : Show kicked ass , The music kicked ass, The video footage 
kicked ass, What more can I say? It was TOOL.I wished they 
could have played longer.
2.OZZY: It was great,But I expected More, Plus Ozzy didnt play 
long enough either.
3.UltraSpank:My personal fav. , Great show, lots of energy,got to 
meet the band,Awesome show.
note: Concerning the young lady who was crowd surfing and was 
violently getting her clothes ripped off,Im Glad me and my Friend 
kicked your asses and I said It once to all of you and Im gonna say 
it again,YOU ARE ALL FUCKING PIGS!(You Know who you are)






Review written by: Steve in N.C. (breakaway13@yahoo.com)
Review posted on: 08/03/98 10:35:48

An OzzFest Revue:
Upon arriving to the Walnut Creek Amphitheater (Raleigh, NC) at 
12:05pm, we (myself along with my fellow best friend/music critic) 
were able to ëtake iní most of the musical events that were 
showcased on this particular day.  The weather was perfect, as for 
weeks before we had been experiencing torrid heat and humidity 
conditions.  But today, mid-80ís and low humidity with a nice 
breeze.  The gods were considerate.
Below is a summary of the bands I was able to seeÖ
A System of a Down: They were entertaining.  Lead guitarist looked 
like a freak.  The drummer was sporting a button-down shirt complete 
with a tie.  Vocalist would state some non-conformist typical slew 
of words he (subconsciously) stole from many other more prominent 
bands between songs.  
Incubus:  I purchased this CD awhile ago to get familiar with some 
of the other bands that were going to attend the festival.  The CD 
was a pleasant surprise as was the group live at the concert.  The 
whole tone of their show was a positive note as the singer was 
gracious and very optimistic.  I thoroughly enjoyed their show.  
Hard with a jazzy side.
Snot: Typical angry rock with typical rhythms and themes.  Boring.
Sevendust: This is another CD I had purchased, and was quite 
surprised by their show.  The CD is a bit flat in terms of energy, 
but this band rocks!  Their drummer is bad ass.  Lead singer is 
really entertaining, but with his dark complexion and dark clothing, 
I would eventually lose him with my hypnotic stare at the stage. 
Limp Bizkit: These guys surprised me.  I didnít know much about 
them, but I will now investigate. 
The Melvins: What a disappointment these guys were.  First, they 
were on the second stage and they were early.  I have a couple of 
their CDís and their concert did not reflect as to the intensity of 
their music.  They must be in the middle of experiencing some sort 
of transformation that entails using a lot of reverb and feedback to 
express their music.  I will now demonstrate my ësoundsíÖ.  BooÖ.  
HissÖ.
Motorhead: They suck so badly, I wonít even go into it.
Megadeth: Ditto.  See above.  Suckage noted.

Tool: Rev. Maynard came out sporting his white suit and whitish wig
preaching to us (as he has been doing all summer).  Their setup was a bit
different, as Danny was on the left side of the stage and both Adam and
Justin were on the right stage.  This was fine for awhile, especially
considering I could watch everything Danny did on his kit (Note: I have
been drumming since the age of 11 , now 32).  But, there was this fucking
blue light that pelted us continuously right next to Adam.  So, I could
not bear looking in his vicinity almost the entire show.  I wonít go into
the order of the music (as I doubt I can recall), but I thought Tool was
lacking their usual energy.  This was the third time I have seen them
(first in New Orleans , second Raleigh ) so I set a standard for them to
be judged.  Like I said before, maybe it was because the sound guy(s)
sucked, but I think that was just part of the dilemma.  They were NOT as
tight as they usually are.  Could be from touring all summer and this was
the next to last show?  I donít know.  Needless to say, I was extremely
disappointed, as Tool was the main reason I forked out all this money ($38
ticket, $7 parking, $5 lemonade, $4 soft drinks, $5 (x2) beer, $2 (x3)
water, etcÖ) and I wanted a top notch performance.  Danny made a couple
mistakes as well, like mis-hitting his dome (cymbal) on specific portions
or just getting confined.  Not that big of deal, I know, but once I start
getting critical, I proceeded to pick everything apart.  Anyway, I think
they played for the mandatory 1-hour (Megadeth played for 90 minutes!),
they quit.  No encore.  So, good show.  I was pleased.  But, not the level
of performance that I have been to expect from these guys.  Could have
been a negative mood thing from my point of view, but my buddy said the
same thing, and he too is a huge Tool fan.  Letís all hope they come out
with a new album some time in the near future and it doesnít get off track
from their stainless music.  If I had to make a prediction, I would say
that they are going to lose a lot of us original Tool fans (from Opiateís
release) with their next recording.  Hopefully not. 

Ozzy: The metal man!  I was an Oz fan in the mid-80ís, so I wanted 
to see him one last time.  He has an appetizer of sorts for us with 
a video collage that depicted him as the main character in Titanic 
as he was being sketched by Leonardo ? (Whomever.  My wife and I are 
probably the only humans that have not seen this movie).  Ozzyspice 
was in a Spice Girlís video, a Hanson video, a Fiona Apple video, 
etc.  It was a hoot.  He then appeared and they proceeded to play 
the music that has defined his career for 30 years.  Looked like the 
drummer was the guy from Faith No More (he is awesome!) and the 
bassist looked just like Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves 
(?).  I have no idea who was playing guitar, but he could NOT quite 
hang with some of the riffs that Randy Rhodes and Jake E. Lee have 
recordedÖ(Not many can)  After 30 minutes, we bailed to beat the 
traffic.

In summary, the overall show was good.  Not great.  This was 
probably the best combination of percussionists I have experienced 
in one setting in a long time.  The sound on the main stage pretty 
much sucked.  It did progress as the night went on, but that could 
be related to the moods we set forth onto ourselvesÖ;-)  The second 
stage was definitely the highpoint of the show, even though Tool did 
not play there.  Incubus was the revelation of the show.  The low 
point was the idiot moshers that were obviously there not for the 
music but to fight.  What a bunch of Neanderthals.  Rating: 7.5 out 
of 10.  







Review written by: Mangore (mangore@hotmail.com)
Review posted on: 08/03/98 08:33:27

Allright honestly i think last years performance at lollapalooza was
a bit better, but the bands that surounded tool at ozzfest more than
made up for it. Coal Chamber and Soulfly kicked major ass and Ozzy
was much better than i expected. Tool as always is an emotional
experience, I didnt get there in time for MotorHead, oh darn, and 
Megadeth fucking sucked, those guys need to give up touring and stay
in the studio. Once again Tool is on another plane of existance and
cant be touched. Oh yeah I agree with the rev. on not getting into 
bars in raleigh I know the feeling, this place is full of lame mother
fuckers






Review written by: Nick Huinker (liquid-chipmunks@worldnet.att.net)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 18:38:26

I wrote a whole review (i'll post it to the newsgroup) but 
I dont want to junk up the page so here's the actual Tool 
excerpt:

....

Then we ran up to get a seat (well, standing area) for Tool. 
Finally they came on. It was really disappointing. Not them, 
but our position in the crowd. We hadn't gotten actual seats 
this year, and it turned out that they didn't show Tool on 
the video screens like at Lolla. But Tool were once again 
awesome. Here's the setlist as well as I can remember it:

Sweat
Swamp Song
Stinkfist (with Buzz and a different bridge than last year)
Eulogy
Sober (w/tim leary video and different intro)
Pushit (new slow version)
Opiate/Flood

This year Maynard actually did some talking between songs...
he talked about fundamentalist America and told about a few 
nights ago when they were staying at a hotel and they tried 
to go to some bars but kept getting refused entry because 
once their shirts weren't tucked in and another time they 
didn't have collars on their shirts. It was cool. I was 
disappointed that they wasted time playing Sweat because 
it's one of my less favorite Tool songs (actually, Flood 
isn't one of my favorites either but I liked the way they 
put them together.) I would have liked to hear Undertow 
or Part Of Me, but oh well. All the other songs they played 
last year, but I really like the new slower version of 
Pushit...if they recorded that and released it as a single, 
I think it would do very well. Anyway, they were great once 
again.

Oh yeah, and my friend taped the show so I'll let everyone 
know if it comes out good (he also got Melvins, Bizkit, 
Soulfly and Incubus I think)







Review written by: ToolMan (Toolfan544@aol.com)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 16:52:37

In so many words........ Tool is the greatest band in the world. 
First off, i have to shout out a big FUCK YOU to the guys behind me 
shouting for Ozzy when Tool played the slower version of pushit. 
These punks wouldn't know a good band because their brains are 
programmed. Not to dis Ozzy, because he is the rock god, but Tool is 
without question the best live band anyone can see. To hear them 
play the variety of songs from "Opiate", "Undertow", and "Aenima" 
made the whole day worth the wait. I think MJK ripped a hole into 
the biblebelt of N.C. with some of the most hillarious, yet powerful 
messages about these religious freaks who only want to control what 
you hear, control what you do, control what you say. If Tool ever 
creates a church for me to go to, i'm there every Sunday morning. 
I'll pay 35 dollars to see Tool anyday. I was also impressed with 
the other bands, including Megadeath and Soulfly. Great concert, 
great time. Thanks to all of the chicks who were themselves, and not 
trying to be someone else. Next year.......TOOLFEST. Because that is 
what it really is. I want to thank MJK's mother for giving birth to 
an incredibly talented man. He is God. Period.






Review written by: Master Reviewer (Rjohns@mindspring.com)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 16:39:05

Everybody covered everything already.  Just wanted to say that the 
new version of Pushit is one of the most powerful climaxing songs I 
have ever heard!  The slowly increasing power of the song just rips 
right into you.  This was a much better show than last years 
Lollapalooza show.  Opiate bridged into Flood was also amazing!






Review written by: sLy (MaDj37.aol.com)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 14:56:56

Very long review; enjoy....

My friends and I got to OzzFest at Walnut Creek Amplitheatre around 12:30. 
The wait to get into the show was pretty long, but we finally made it.  I
was expecting to find a lot of drunk rednecks, who were just there for
Ozzy staggering around the place, but I only saw a few, which was nice. 
To the left when you walk in was a few shops and the restrooms, then over
more to the left was the second stage.  Straight ahead when you walked in
was a huge hill with the main stage being behind that.  I got a shee t
with the bands and what time they would be coming out, and we went from
there.  We went to watch the Melvins first.  They were great.  Next was
Sevendust on the main stage.  I enjoyed them also.  We did that a lot,
just going from main stage to second s tage; trying to listen to lots of
bands.  Around 5:20, Limp Bizkit was supposed to play on the main stage,
so we headed over there.  Inbetween all the "fuck you"'s and Fred Durst
constantly running around the place and in the crowd, I heard some of
their songs. I found them amusing, but I am a fan of Limp Bizkit, so I
enjoyed the set.  Next was Metallica- I mean Megadeth.  Very loud.  Very
boring.  Very bad.  Then this band called Tool played.  What an amazing
performance. I was watching the stage to see the band walk out.  I didnt
even recognize them at first. I saw this big guy walk out in shorts and I
believe a sleeveless shirt, next was a little guy in a suit and funny
looking hair and a big book in his hand, then Justin came out right behind
them and
 I realized it was the band.  Adam came out right behind Justin.  Maynard
said what he had said in earlier shows when he was an evangelist.  They
opened with Sweat. MJK is the wackiest guy when he is singing.  Also, the
lighting was incredible for the sh ow.  When Maynard sang "There's no love
in fear," during Pushit, these bright red lights just glarred while he
held the note; incredile.  After Sweat, Maynard got out his bible and read
a verse, then saying it means we should all get naked and start fucki ng. 
In the middle of the show, Maynard got 2 people from off the stage to come
to him so they could be healed.  After they said what their problem was,
Maynard punched them, then said "Your healed!" , and then "See what
happens when you fuck with God."  Later in the show, Maynard talked about
how they tried to go into bars last night, but the people kicked them out
because they didnt tuck in their shirts or have a collar.  MJK then went
on to say that he realized this was a very fundalmentalist, christia n
city and that stuff happens here.  He said a lot more, but it would take
too long to type it up and I dont remember every single word and I dont
want to misquote someone.  But, just to sum up his story, he said that the
first ideas of religion was to lo ve everybody and that's what we need to
do, "love everyone unconditionally.....UNconditionally. So no, I will not
tuck my shirt in."  His last words, as he walked off stage were "turn off
the tv, read a book. jack off in a high powered fan, and Love Every one." 
Then he tossed his water bottle in the crowd. 

Set List:

Sweat
Swamp Song
Stinkfist / with Buzz from the Melvins- during this song he stripped to
his boxers like a Chip 'n Dale dancer.  It was very funny.
Eulogy
Sober
Pushit / slow version-amazing!!
Opiate
Flood






Review written by: kenan (ckenan@hotmail.com)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 12:29:38

Tool kicked ass once again.  MJK walked out wearing a television 
evangelist suit.  Being that this is NC, there were quite a few 
rednecks, marines, and fratboys that seemed to only have one goal: to 
start a mosh pit anywhere and everywhere they could.  I couldn't see 
half the show because of these dumb fucks.  Anyway, the set list went 
something like this:
1.  Sweat
2.  Swamp Song
3.  Stinkfist
4.  Eulogy
5.  Sober
6.  Pushit (slow version)
7.  Opiate
8.  Flood
 
I'm VERY glad they played "Flood"...that song kicked so much ass.  At 
the end of the concert, MJK said something like "See you next time." 
Hopefully they will be coming back.






Review written by: KurtDogg (KurtDogg@aol.com)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 12:29:32

Another great performance.
The setlist and all that has already been covered.
Reverend Maynard healed 2 young men on stage.
One had crabs and the other had a sore.
Amazing what the power of Jesus can do.
Amen.









Review written by: Brad Reichenbach (bradreich@mindspring.com)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 11:34:28

  What else can I say but TOOL just rocked.  By far the best act 
there.  This was the first time I had ever seen TOOL live, after 
following there music for the past five years.  I'm definitely going 
to see them again.  The slow version of pushit was awesome, and the 
crowd reaction to Stinkfist was tremendous.  A cat fight even broke 
out where I was standing.  Intense.  Too bad their new album won't be 
out for a while.

   Setlist:
     Sweat
     Stinkfist
     Eulogy
     Sober
     Pushit
     Swamp Song
     Flood

     (not necessarily in that order)







Review written by: James Simpson (jsimpson@atlas.faytech.cc.nc.us)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 11:02:49

What else can I say? TOOL fucking kicked ass!
Anyway, onto the setlist:
Sweat
Swamp Song
Stinkfist (w/Buzz from Melvins and extended)
Eulogy
Sober (intro by Dr. Timothy Leary and extended)
Pushit (new slow version kicks ass!)
Opiate
Flood
Maynard came out onstage with the evangelist suit on as in previous 
shows.  It probably fits this show more than previous cities on tour. 
  Maynard even made a point about it, while he discussed what had 
happened when the band tried to enter a few of the bars around 
Raleigh.  The first bar, Maynard stated that they had to tuck their 
shirts in before entering.  The second bar, Maynard was told that 
they had to have a shirt on with a collar.  "How strange it is that a 
little piece of extra fabric on a shirt can decide things in life."  
Well, thats the Fucking bible belt for ya!  Anyway, one of the better 
shows I have seen, even though Danny fucked up a couple of times!






Review written by: BGK (rablackf@bellsouth.net)
Review posted on: 08/02/98 10:59:27

reverend maynard and crew walked on stage and the rev. spoke a few 
words and they busted into it i must say this being my 5th time 
seeing tool this ranks as one of the best performances i have seen im 
looking forward to seeing them in knoxvile on monday