Day 2 of Fort Rock brought 30,000 fans for a second day of metal with a finale from the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. The weather was just as beautiful with some cloud covering making it even better than the day before for fans to enjoy nonstop music from 1-10PM.
Opening the day was Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown. The 4-man band walked on stage, and it felt like a rock concert from the hair band era. Their sound was the perfect fusion of classic rock inspiration with current rock styles. They’re currently on tour now, heading across the pond to the UK shortly. Catch them live if you’re able to!
Toothgrinder was next on the Yellow Stage. The progressive metal band came out of the gate with great energy, pumping everyone up. This weekend kicked off their tour with Bullet for My Valentine and Trivium. The set they played showed their skills with speed and intensity on guitar, making them the perfect act to join the veteran metal bands.
Sevendust graced the Black Stage mid-afternoon. Between songs, lead singer Lajon Witherspoon humbly addressed the audience thanking his fans for allowing him to live out his dream and perform. Throughout the set, he’d make a point to make eye contact and smiles to as many fans as possible. The connection made with the audience, and the incredible performance set a great precedent for their album released shortly after the festival.
Hollywood Undead made a dramatic entrance as each member came one at a time building anticipation, and their faces were all covered. They played the first song completely covered. Their set was probably the funnest one of the day as J-Dog and Charlie “fought” over their stage position, and Funny Man vogued for fans. They brought a young audience member for a song, and had the crowd chanting little Corey’s name.
Corey Taylor and Stonesour was one of the most anticipated acts of the weekend. Individually, each musician made an entrance on stage waving to the crowd. When Corey Taylor entered the stage with his britney spears shirt, the audience erupted in ear-piercing cheers. Throughout the energetic set, Corey Taylor looked right at home smiling whenever he could. There was constantly something to look at on stage between the band members performing, Corey throwing water into the crowd, a confetti gun, sparklers, and “wacky, waving, inflatable, arm-flailing tubemen.”
Breaking Benjamin finally came on stage as the perfect act to lead up to Ozzy. They came out to their latest single, “Red Cold River.” At a 70 minute set, they played a mix of their new songs, their classics, and even played the most epic cover of Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit.”
In a euphoric weekend of rock music, the festival ended on the highest note possible with Ozzy closing it out. The weekend was a success in this new venue for the festival, and hopefully, it will be held in Markham park next year and have as great a lineup as this year.
