Some nights, live music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a shot of adrenaline straight to the chest. August 9th at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion was one of those nights, as The Ghost Inside, Halestorm, and Volbeat delivered three hours of catharsis, chaos, and pure rock muscle to a sold-out Camden crowd.
The Ghost Inside wasted zero time easing anyone in. They came out swinging with breakdowns that rattled ribcages and choruses that felt less like sing-alongs and more like war cries. Frontman Jonathan Vigil took a beat mid-set to talk about the band’s comeback after their horrific bus crash—a moment that dropped the temperature to goosebump level before the next riff lit the fuse again. Watching them was like watching a fighter go twelve rounds and still grin through the blood.
Halestorm followed with a masterclass in arena rock swagger. Lzzy Hale’s voice isn’t just powerful—it’s volcanic, equal parts precision and primal force. She could hit the high notes with a clarity that cut through the humid August air and still roar with enough grit to send shockwaves through the pit. The set was a perfect cocktail: the usual suspects like “I Miss the Misery” and “Freak Like Me,” plus fresh cuts from their new album Everest, which were greeted like instant anthems. The hometown love was undeniable—Philly-area fans roared like they’d been waiting all year for this, and the band returned the favor with a performance that felt as big as the sky over Camden.
Then came Volbeat, and any lingering doubt about who owned the night evaporated. Michael Poulsen has the charm of a lounge singer and the punch of a heavyweight fighter, and his band’s mash-up of groove metal, punk snarl, and rockabilly swing is still one of the most infectious things in modern rock. “Lola Montez” had the place bouncing, “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” hit like a wrecking ball, and their take on Sabbath’s “Children of the Grave” landed like a love letter signed in distortion.
By the end, the place was a sweaty, smiling mess—proof that sometimes three bands with very different weapons can combine forces into a single, unforgettable assault. Camden may never be called “scenic” with a straight face, but on this night, under the stage lights and the ringing in our ears, it was damn near beautiful.
The Greatest of All Tours
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion - Camden, New Jersey
August 9, 2025
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