(Live Review) VOLBEAT / HALESTORM / THE GHOST INSIDE - Tinley Park, Ill (8/22/25)
- Chris Tighe
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Greetings friends, fans, and followers and welcome to Beard Reviews episode #74.
Tonight, we checked out some music a bit apart from the Beard's usual bread and butter as we reviewed the metal rockabilly stylings of Danish band Volbeat, along with special guests Halestorm and The Ghost Inside.
With me as always was the maestro of mosh, Little Johnny who smiled broadly at tonight’s line up saying, “Bands from my era. Nice call Beard.”
We had decent, even if not spectacular, seats in the back of the middle section and our view was pretty straight on here at the cavernous Credit Union One Amphitheater in Tinley Park. As it was a beautiful evening with temperatures in the low 70 degrees, the Beard had the opportunity to enjoy some August music without sweating for a change.
Volbeat live review
First up from El Segundo California, were the metalcore stylings of ...
THE GHOST INSIDE
The Ghost Inside were Metalcore, but a more pedestrian type. Think Casper not Freddy Kruger.
The group had a black and white theme going. Their music was not in any way offensive and they certainly tried to pump up the crowd, but honestly this was not my style of music and I mostly just waited patiently for it to end.
Your thoughts Johnny?
"There was a Pit Beard, but nobody was circling or anything. The band guys yelled some and showed a little aggression, but it seemed more like a boy’s home than a prison yard. They were okay I guess."
The Ghost Inside 70/100
HALESTORM
Lzzy Hale has been making music since 1997 (although the band's official first album was 2009) and Halestorm have been touring yearly with the likes of Iron Maiden, I Prevail, Evanescence etc. The band averages a couple of hundred live shows each year and all their members are minimally twenty-year veterans.
This was the first time I felt Lzzy ever looked weathered. Granted, it was the final night of yet another long tour and I’m sure there was some exhaustion and relief to finally get off the road for a few weeks, but most of the set seemed to lack the usual boundless energy Halestorm brings.
Lzzy still has a great voice, and when adding in her guitar and keyboard chops is one multitalented lady so I always give points for that. Tonight though, I really enjoyed some of the newer songs more than the mega hits.
While the crowd popped for “I Get Off”, “Freak like Me” and “I Miss the Misery”, I favored newer tracks like “Broken Doll” “Darkness Always Wins” and a great “I Gave You Everything.”, all off 2025’s Everest which has a shot as one of the best new albums this year. (Ed: Who allowed you to vote, Beard?!)
Particularly on “I Gave You Everything,” Lzzy spit the venom of those lyrics out all the way to Credit Union One’s back lawn. I would really like to know the story behind that song. From the way she sounded, someone might be in a shallow grave out there on the road someplace.
Although Lzzy Hale seemed more tired than usual, and even Arejay was less impressive and exciting than in the past, Joe Hottinger remains underrated on guitar and the band was the set of the night for me.
Johnny?
"They are fun Beard. They make me jump around and that’s cool. That chick is looking older, but I bet she’d still rock my world in the sack. Plus, I love that drummer’s solo. Remember when he used those giant sticks?"
“It was yesterday Johnny so yes I remember.”
Halestorm: 87/100
VOLBEAT
Volbeat as headliners brought the lights, smoke, and effects, but after that Ghost set a few weeks ago, every other band is going to be chasing the best special effects award.
The crowd was super-hot for “Lola Montez,” singing loudly throughout. Unfortunately, I don’t know their stuff, so I was left behind on that one. Singer Michael Poulsen knew how to conduct a set and kept things engaging. I don’t dislike what Volbeat does musically. But I am not enamored by it either. Honestly, for me it just kind of is.
I did appreciate the partial “Ring of Fire” Johnny Cash piece leading into “Sad Mans Tongue.” Poulson flat out admitted they stole the riff from Cash for that one.
I will award points for “In the Barn of the Goat giving birth to Satan’s spawn in a Dying World of Doom” as the song title of the year. Also, when Poulsen encouraged the audience to make goat noises for that song, Johnny leaned over to me and asked, “Did the singer just tell us to Baaa like goats Beard?” “Yes he did.” Johnny thought about it for a minute then nodded saying, “It’s probably because he knows I’m an animal huh Beard?” “Well, Johnny…you are certainly…. something.”
Despite titles like “The Devils Bleeding Crown,” “Demonic Depression” and “The Devil Rages On,” Volbeat openly stated from the stage that they support no organized religion and their titles and lyrics are just “horror show troupe.” They even did a partial song tribute to OZZY by playing about half of "Children of the Grave” which actually sounded pretty close.
Lastly, on the final song “Still Counting” (which I did know and like), the act of bringing what looked like more than a hundred kids and audience members onto the stage provided a cool looking effect. With that many people on stage at one time my brain immediately thought “Wow, this looks like a Megadeth reunion set.”
What’d you think Johnny?
"They’re different Beard. Sort of heavy but not heavy. I mean they are catchy and even though they sing songs about the devil and stuff you can tell they don’t mean none of it. I guess they were fun."
"I agree little dude."
For me, Volbeat was a nice hour plus distraction from regular life. Just listen to the songs, watch the lights and guys playing on the stage. Enjoy the crowd and drink some IPAs. “Right on Beard. Now you’re talking.”Volbeat 84/100.
Well, that finishes episode #74 of Beard Reviews. Remember to follow all the Beard & Little Johnny material right here on your home for Metal Chris Tighes The Mighty Decibel. You can get all the great Beard videos of these shows by following thebeard0728 on TikTok, and of course friend or follow Mark McQueen on social media like Facebook and Instagram.
Until next time, this is the Beard saying, “Live Life” “Stay Heavy & “Horns Up.”