8 Bands That Should Headline the Ozzfest Revival

Whether you like it or not, these acts would be perfect to top the bill at a revived Ozzfest.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:47am

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The article discusses the possibility of Ozzfest, the iconic metal festival, making a comeback. It suggests eight bands that would be ideal headliners for the revived festival, including Slipknot, Lamb of God, Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold, Knocked Loose, Ghost, Sleep Token, and Turnstile.

Why it matters

Ozzfest was a seminal event in the metal music scene, and its potential revival would be exciting news for fans of heavy music. The article's suggestions for headliners reflect the evolving landscape of the genre, with a mix of established acts and rising stars that could bring a fresh energy to the festival.

The details

The article notes that the original Ozzfest featured Ozzy Osbourne, either solo or with Black Sabbath, as a frequent headliner, along with other big names like Judas Priest, Slayer, Pantera, Slipknot, System of a Down, Korn, and Rob Zombie. It then proposes eight bands that could take on the headlining duties for a revived Ozzfest: Slipknot, Lamb of God, Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold, Knocked Loose, Ghost, Sleep Token, and Turnstile. The article provides a brief explanation for why each of these acts would be a suitable choice, highlighting their commercial success, critical acclaim, and strong fan bases within the metal community.

  • The original Ozzfest ran for many years, with the first festival taking place in 1996.
  • Sharon Osbourne, the wife of the late Ozzy Osbourne, has recently been in talks to bring Ozzfest back.

The players

Ozzy Osbourne

The legendary metal singer who frequently headlined the original Ozzfest, either solo or with his band Black Sabbath.

Sharon Osbourne

The wife of Ozzy Osbourne and a key figure in the potential revival of Ozzfest, as she has been in talks to bring the festival back.

Slipknot

A metal band that has previously served as direct support to Ozzy Osbourne or Black Sabbath on Ozzfest.

Lamb of God

A metal band that has previously served as direct support to Ozzy Osbourne or Black Sabbath on Ozzfest.

Deftones

A metal band that has played feature slots on the main stage of Ozzfest in the past.

Avenged Sevenfold

A metal band that has played feature slots on the main stage of Ozzfest in the past.

Knocked Loose

A rising star in the hardcore metal scene, known for their 2021 EP "A Tear in the Fabric of Life" and their 2024 album "You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To".

Ghost

A popular and divisive metal band, often referred to as the "Satanic Beach Boys" due to their masked gimmick and controversial occult themes.

Sleep Token

A modern metal band that is considered highly controversial within the metal scene, known for their theatrical performances and occult-inspired imagery.

Turnstile

A hardcore band that has achieved mainstream success and critical acclaim, with their 2025 album "Never Enough" earning them four Grammy nominations.

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The takeaway

The potential revival of Ozzfest presents an opportunity to showcase the evolving landscape of the metal music scene, with a mix of established acts and rising stars that could bring a fresh energy to the iconic festival. The article's suggestions for headliners reflect the diverse range of styles and approaches within the genre, from the more traditional metal of Slipknot and Lamb of God to the more experimental and controversial acts like Ghost and Sleep Token.