"Come join us", said OZZY and Sharon OSBOURNE February 6th at the Los Angeles press conference to unveil the bombshell: this year’s 12th annual OZZFest will be known as “FreeFest.” Ozzy and Sharon's statement - with tour producer Live Nation - was an invitation for other artists to join Ozzy by performing for free, thus making the tickets to the summer’s premiere touring concert festival entirely free for fans.

This bold invitation to perform in front of tens of thousands of frenzied rock kids has already been accepted by such artists as LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED and cutting-edge Finnish act LORDI, who will lead the charge with Ozzy in this historic move that redefines a concert industry marred by rising ticket prices. Lamb Of God and Lordi will perform on the main stage with Ozzy, while Hatebreed will headline OZZFest’s reliably down and dirty second stage with MONDO GENERATOR, ANKLA, CIRCUS DIABLO, NILE and THE SHOWDOWN. These are only the first artists who have stepped forward to be part of this ground-breaking touring extravaganza, with more artists to be announced in the coming weeks for the main and second stages.

The 24-city earth-pounding OZZFest will now launch July 12th in Seattle, WA at the White River Amphitheatre. The tour was originally announced to start July 7th in Southern California but had to be moved to accommodate the extension of Ozzy’s European tour. OZZFest will also hit Seattle, WA, George, WA, Sacramento, CA, Mountain View, CA, Devore, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, St. Louis, MO, Columbus, OH, Tinley Park, IL, East Troy, WI, Indianapolis, IN, Holmdel, NJ, Hartford, CT, Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, Charlotte, NC and West Palm Beach, FL.

As OZZFest’s founder and namesake, Ozzy will make his triumphant return to the headlining position on this year's mainstage after surprising fans last year by performing on the second stage at a handful of dates. Audiences can expect the Prince of Darkness to unveil new songs from his forthcoming studio album (release date TBA), Ozzy’s first disc of new material since 2001.

To gain entry into this year’s OZZFest, fans will go to www.ozzfest.com or www.livenation.com to find links that will direct them to special sponsor sites where tickets can be secured. Select sponsors will have a unique opportunity to engage fans one-on-one utilizing one of music’s best known brands. Tickets will be available for download on June 12. Stay tuned to www.ozzfest.com and www.livenation.com in the coming weeks for more ticketing information.

Artist quotes:

D. Randall, vocalist, Lamb Of God: "OZZFest! OZZFest!" When we left OZZFest three years ago, that was a mantra that burned itself into our collective subconscious, one that we repeat to this day in an almost autistic manner. To know once the power, the glory, the sheer brutality of the parking lot circus stupidity that is OzzFest is to be destined to repeat it. The fangs are out- our souls (and livers) needed three years to recover from the last run, but we are back and couldn't be more excited! BUHWHUUURHHH! OZZFest? Bring it on! This time we have age and wis(dumb) on our side- be warned. It will be OVER this summer.”

Jamey Jasta, lead singer of Hatebreed: "We are absolutely honored and beyond excited to be the sole headliner of the OZZFest 2007 Second Stage. We had a great time on the Main Stage last year but it was obvious that our fans wanted to see us in the setting that they know and love. Having co-headlined the second stage twice in the past, once with Down in 2002 and again with Slipknot in 2004, it's a great achievement for us to now be able to close the show on the second stage and truly make OZZFest history with our fifth appearance on the world's best tour. We can't wait to demolish the US once again, spending another crazy summer with Ozzy and his traveling circus of metal mayhem!!!! See you on the road!"

Mr. Lordi, Lordi: “It is a great honour for us to be on OZZFest and obviously it’s gonna be a great opportunity for us to show the people in the U.S. what we can do…or what they think we can do. [laughs] My best friend is a huge Ozzy fan he’s really jealous of the whole thing. I’m gonna try and remember to pick him up an OZZFest t-shirt when we return to Finland. For us the idea of playing OZZFest is still hard to believe. I’ll believe it when we’re there.”

Stay tuned for further information about ticket distribution.