Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium

Live recordings are usually a shaky proposition from the get-go, best recommended only for die-hard fans of a band or those looking for a memento to remind them of their concertgoing experience. Add to that the hit-and-miss nature of most compilations, and you have one heck of an iffy purchase here. That said, if you're a fan of the 16 bands represented, which range from old fogies like Black Sabbath and stalwarts like Marilyn Manson to nu-metal poster boys like Slipknot, you might enjoy this wildly uneven offering, but everyone else should stay far, far away. Ozzy and company are always good for a nostalgic laugh, and newcomers like Black Label Society and Disturbed show that the aggro-rock genre shouldn't be written off outright. But there are far too many tepid lightweights like Papa Roach and Linkin Park to make Ozzfest 2001 worth more than a cursory listen.