You have to hand it to Sharon Osbourne for getting the entire music industry’s panties in a wrinkle when she announced that Ozzfest was going to be free this year. That’s pretty metal. For all the nay-saying and hand-wringing, it seems to be a successful idea so far. The venues are still making money; Sharon’s still making money and the bands are getting exposure (and selling a lot of $30 T-shirts).

Unlike last year, when Ozzfest pulls into the Verizon Wireless Music Center Aug. 14, the “Prince of Darkness” will actually headline the proceedings. Of course, the line up isn’t as strong as in years past, featuring bands like Static X and Hatebreed, whose best days died with the nü-metal movement. However, the bumper-crop of underground metal bands on the second stage offer genuine gems to show up early for.

Sounding like a cross between Napalm Death and Iron Maiden, Vancouver, B.C.’s Three Inches of Blood may just be the tightest, best band on the bill. ChthoniC (yes it’s spelled that way) offer up bizarre Taiwanese prog-metal. Elsewhere, there’s Polish black metal from Behemoth, Finnish glam/prog/death metal from Lordi and good ol’ fashioned American break-neck metal from Richmond, Va.’s Lamb of God.  The chicks will dig In This Moment, while the dudes will dig on Devil Driver, the mid-tour replacement for Mondo Generator, who, sadly, only made it five shows before incurring the wrath of Sharon and getting kicked off the tour.

But, at the end of the day, it all comes down to Ozzy Osbourne, whose new album, Black Rain, finds him sounding better then he has in ages. Plus, you know all the hits from “Crazy Train” to “Mama I’m Coming Home” will be trotted out. While an Ozzfest with the resurrected Dio-era Sabbath line up would have been more welcome, you can’t complain about a free ticket to see one of the founding fathers of metal ply his trade. Go to Ozzfest.com for the free tickets.