This past weekend saw the first (and some would hope last) attempt at a virtual Ozzfest. The 2022 version of the once-iconic festival brand was part of the sophomore edition of the Metaverse Music Festival from Decentraland, the world’s largest user-owned and operated virtual social world.
The event, which looked a lot like “Guitar Hero,” featured virtual “performances” by The Raven Age, Britof, Skid Row, Megadeth, Black Label Society, Motorhead and Ozzy Osbourne.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing Ozzfest to the metaverse,” Osbourne said in a press release prior to the event. “This allows me and the other bands on the bill to reach our fans in a new innovative way.”
MetalSucks writer Hesher Keenan was among those not impressed, and it’s hard to argue with him. “The virtual b*stardization of a once mighty metal festival was a hodge podge of lazy bullsh*t,” he wrote.
“The VR show could have been cool, but what we got was either the chance to watch YouTube videos of the song in question, or to see a digital facsimile of either Lemmy or Ozzy stiffly ‘performing’ on stage. No backing band, just the two legendary performers looking stiff as hell.”
Keenan went on to point out that pop artists have done similar virtual spaces shows that are “actual performances,” and not prerecorded music or the band’s studio track. He also said those artists had a lot more going on visually. Basically, the whole thing looks like a hokey animated music video.
“I’m sorry but it needs to be said, Ozzfest Metaverse is an abomination,” wrote @MercyfulKate.
Other reactions on Twitter: “What an awful cash grabbing idea.” “Total waste of time. A complete joke. Pathetic.”
“I had educational cd roms that looked better than this but at least those taught me algebra.”
“I love Motorhead but playing Motorhead over some 90s shockwave graphics and calling it a festival is pathetic.”
“Even free I still feel like I got ripped off watching that.”
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