Van Halen
Nissan Pavilion
Bristow, VA
August 21, 1998

Set List - Click here!

Review by Javier Gonzalez - jgonzalez@prfaa-govpr.org

Just two hours ago I saw the best concert I have seen in over two years. I have seen Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, the Tibetan Freedom Concert, and Metallica, among others in this time span, and I have to admit that Van Halen blew them all away.

Don't get me wrong, all of these concerts were great. I am talking about Eric Clapton playing "Sunshine Of Your Love" as his encore, and watching Radiohead -- probably my favorite 90's band -- in the Tibetan concert, and I still say Eddie, Alex, Mike, and Gary (yes him), are what keeps me faithful and hopeful that there are still ways to impress me.

Eddie is, well he is simply Eddie. The new songs, "Whithout You", "One I Want" and specially "Year To The Day" are simply amazing in concert. I like the new album, but I went with friends who had not heard a note of the new album, and they came away impressed and overjoyed at the level of intensity this band plays with after over two decades of playing.

They sound new again. They sound good. Thank Gary for that. But I have to thank Eddie for making my summer.

I just got back from watching one of the best Van Halen shows of my life!! Gary, Eddie, Michael and Alex were so full of energy as they ripped through three decades of totally awesome music. Gary not only handled the David & Sammy tunes with perfection, adding his own little twists, he also was perfect with the songs off Van Halen 3, which sounded great live!

Starting off the night with Unchained was a fantastic lead off. Tunes like Romeo Delight, Jamie's Cryin', Without You, Humans Being, Fire in the Hole, Panama, Jump......were played with such enthusiasm. Eddie never sounded better. And has he been working out or what??

Anyhow, great job Van Halen, I'll always be a fan for life. Keep rockin!!

The concert opened in darkness with the familiar opening riffs of "Unchained". The atmosphere quickly became electric as days of old returned and set the stage for an awsome set of classic tunes mixed in with new tracks from VH3.

True to this tour's past sets, a majority of the tunes heralded from the days of David Lee Roth. The crowd soaked up every chord expelled from Eddie's axe. One of the old classics off VH-II, "Somebody Get Me A Doctor", saw Michael take a turn on lead vocals. A pleasant surprise was "Jamie's Cryin'" which made the set and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The band was definitely firing on all eight cylinders; plus a little nitro to put you back in your seat. Alex and Eddie both provided the crowd with solos. Ed included parts from "Cathedral", "316", and of course "Eruption". The new tunes sounded great, especially "Fire In The hole" and "Year To The day", which should prove to be mainstays on future tour set lists. "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" finished the main set and left the crowd chanting, "Eddie,Eddie,Eddie..."

The encore began with Gary accompanied by Ed on acoustic guitar for the new track "Josephina". Alex's drum's then lead into the killer opening of "Panama". Everyone was on their feet singing along with Gary, who lead the crowd in session of you scream what I scream. Promoted by the crowd, one last classic finished the night. The opening keyboards of "Jump" set the crowd a blaze, one last time.

Van Halen sets the stage, then tears it all to hell, and they do an awesome job. A Van Halen show sets a standard few have approached, and isn't that the way it should be?

The rumors are true....the latest incarnation of Van Halen does rock. I have seen them with DLR, Sammy and now Gary. Gary does hold his own! I too was nervous about him joining the band, but after last night my concerns were erased.

The band was as tight as ever. Gary is very active on stage. He works the crowd and certainly is able to pull off every era of VH tunes. I never found myself wishing for Sammy or Dave. He was particularly powerful on "Mean Street" and "Year To The Day."

The original members seemed happier than they've been in years. Between Eddie's scissor kicking frenzy and Michael Anthony's sharing of the vocals, the band seems back on track. Eddie's guitar continues to amaze. He's got more hooks then a tackle box and played with his heart.

If you are on the fence or disappointed about this version of Van Halen go see them live and you'll be very pleased. Thanks Van Halen for yet another powerhouse concert. For all of you who have tickets to upcoming shows, you are in for a treat. Get ready, the new Van Halen rocks!!!!!!

Oh My God, we probably the first words out of my mouth after seeing the show last night. The boys were on the ball. This was my third Van Halen concert and my friend Jon Sippel's first. I have never seen him so wired in my entire life. Mind you the other times that I saw Van Halen was at Merriweather Post Pavillion in my hometown of Maryland, and I remember them being great. But last night was without a doubt the best.

I was an Extreme fan a few years back, and I have to say Gary brings in my opinion some of the best energy on to that or any stage that I have ever seen. I have never seen Van Roth live before, but I don't think I need to.

They started off playing Unchained (which kicked ass) then they went to Without You. The bad part right now is that I was caught up so much in the show itself that I can't remember the exact set list. I remember hearing Romeo Delight, which I thought was incredible. Mikey did some ear piercing vocals on Somebody Get Me A Doctor. I was truely impressed with his range on that one. One I want, Year To The Day / guitar solo was brilliant, When It's Love, Right Now, Why Can' This Be Love, are just a few of the titles that I can remember.

In the end they wound up playing Josephina acoustically which I thought was incredible, despite rumors Ed can sing, he's no Pavarotti, but he can sing, also Panama, and Jump ended the night.

Al's drum solo was brilliant although I was disappointed that he did't use the conga's. Alex has been a role model as far as drumming does for myself as well as many others across the world, and he lived up to it last night. Not just in the solo but mostly just with his overall playing. It's like magic. I have been a fan of this band since before I could even play the drums, it was Alex who inspired me to start playing.

The is one concert that I don't think I'll ever forget. I drove 2 1/2 hrs to see the mighty Van Halen and it was well worth the trip. This is the tour that impressed me the most, and I look forward to hearing the next album and seeing them again and again. Van Halen kicks ASS.