One of the greatest things about the music world is that it is ever-evolving, with bands hitting the scene with new genres and musical styles. These artists take inspiration from multiple sources and create something fresh and exciting for the public. One band that has carved out a unique niche for themselves is Volbeat. For over two decades, they’ve been mixing metal, hard rock, and rockabilly styles to great success. With the release of their latest album, God of Angels Trust, they’ve hit the road again on their Greatest of All Tours to show why they are the GOATs of what they do. This multi-month tour sees Volbeat bringing different support bands with them, and when they came to the world-famous Kia Forum, the patrons of Los Angeles were ecstatic to see Halestorm and The Ghost Inside perform alongside them.

Opening the night were hometown heroes The Ghost Inside. Vocalist Jonathan Vigil made a point to let the crowd know that he had been attending basketball games and concerts with his dad at this venue since he was a little kid, and it was a surreal experience to now be performing on the Kia Forum stage. You could see Vigil taking in every moment of this milestone.

People were still trickling in for the start of the show, but Vigil performed as if they were headlining a sold-out arena. The dual guitar work of Zach Johnson and Chris Davis was an assault on the audience, delivering heavy riffs and chugs that got the crowd bouncing right from the start. Meanwhile, bassist Jim Riley pulled double duty as the band’s hype man, shouting at the crowd and pushing them to give more energy. All the while, drummer Andrew Tkaczyk pounded away on the kit, giving fans a beat to mosh to.

The Ghost Inside only had a short 30-minute set but made every second count, pouring their energy into songs like “Going Under,” “Dear Youth (Day 52),” “Earn It,” “Death Grip,” “Wash It Away,” and closing with “Aftermath.” This was just a taste of what The Ghost Inside can bring, and I’d love to see the kind of energy they deliver in a headlining set.

There are certain people who can enter a room and instantly captivate everyone in it. Lzzy Hale is one of those people. When Halestorm took the stage, the reaction Lzzy received shook the entire arena. As beloved as she is by fans, Halestorm is still a band, and every member gets their time to shine.

Lead guitarist Joe Hottinger writes driving guitar lines that amplify the intensity of Lzzy’s vocals but also takes moments to stand at the foot of the stage and dazzle with his iconic solos. Bassist Josh Smith is more reserved, holding down the low end and keeping the bassline fat and full. But it’s drummer Arejay Hale who often feels like he’s putting in the most work behind the kit. Along with keeping the rhythm flowing and contributing backing vocals, Arejay throws in stick tricks and wild antics, ensuring the audience never forgets he’s back there.

The band was in top form, delivering a setlist that included “Fallen Star,” “I Miss the Misery,” “Love Bites (And So Do I),” “WATCH OUT!,” “Amen,” “Darkness Always Wins,” “Freak Like Me,” “I Get Off,” “Everest,” and “Here’s to Us.”

Lzzy had recently performed at Ozzy Osbourne’s final show, and you could feel the love and admiration she carried for him in her performance. Donning a long, flowing cloak and a haircut that channeled mid-’80s Ozzy, Lzzy did everything she could to honor the Prince of Darkness. The entire band took a moment in the middle of their set to come to the foot of the stage and raise a toast with the crowd in Ozzy’s memory. They even ended their set with a cover of Ozzy’s “Perry Mason.” This wasn’t just a performance for Halestorm fans—it was a heartfelt tribute to a rock legend.

It was then time for some European rockabilly-infused metal as Volbeat took the stage. This band has always been an enigma, blending their Danish roots with rockabilly and psychobilly elements—genres that originated in the southern United States. Yet, by some glorious miracle, Volbeat seamlessly mixes their rock style with an American flair, creating a unique spin on metal music.

Vocalist and guitarist Michael Poulsen sings with a garbled twang that evokes the image of a southern storyteller. Paired with his upbeat and bright vocal delivery, there’s a romanticism to his inflection, especially in Volbeat’s more heartfelt songs. This is all wrapped around drummer Jon Larsen’s bouncing beats. Without playing a traditional dance rhythm, Larsen crafts a swing to his drumming that makes you want to grab your partner and start dancing. Bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen fills out the low end, while touring guitarist Flemming C. Lund rounds off Volbeat’s sound.

Volbeat had fans rocking out, screaming, and dancing through a set that spanned their entire career. Highlights included “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown,” “Lola Montez,” “Enlighten the Disorder (By a Monster’s Hand Part 2),” “Sad Man’s Tongue,” “Fallen,” “Shotgun Blues,” “By a Monster’s Hand,” “The Devil Rages On,” “Die to Live,” “Black Rose,” “Seal the Deal,” and “For Evigt.”

The band also honored Ozzy Osbourne during their set with an abridged cover of “Children of the Grave.” You could feel Ozzy’s presence throughout the show. For the finale, Volbeat invited the kids in the crowd on stage to sing along to their final song, “Still Counting.” It was heartwarming to see how many kids had been introduced to Volbeat by their parents and were rocking out because they’d found their own love for the music.

I had seen Volbeat once before as a direct support act, so their set wasn’t that long. Getting to now see them as headliners, fully immersed in a show they put their all into, showed me why this band is so beloved. Their music breathes so much life that you can’t help but be drawn into their world.

Halestorm also showed the crowd why they are so adored. It’s about time for them to headline their own world tour again—they’ve been traveling as a co-headliner or direct support for a while, and we all need more time with them performing the songs we love.

Volbeat still has a few weeks of dates left in the USA before heading back to Europe to finish the tour. If they haven’t passed through your city yet, don’t miss the chance to catch this show—you won’t regret it.