GODSMACK and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS (A Parent’s Perspective) SHOW REVIEW!

6 minutes ago
4 min read

Legendary bands like Godsmack and Stone Temple Pilots devoured the entire 90's going into the new millennium with their alternative and grunge sound that bridged genres, and was the radio soundtrack to every kid growing up around that time. Now that we're older, the music that was "new" to us, are now the classics, but has a different term than "Classic Rock", it's "Dad Rock".

That term "Dad Rock", that's been coined over the last decade or so goes right up my alley since I'm The Pop Punk Dad after all, and I grew up listening to all of the alt and grunge bands of the time. Dad Rock refers to the type of radio rock music that middle-aged dads used to blast in their souped-up Hondas back in the day, driving around with Monster Energy Drinks at 2 am, but now still jam out to these same songs in the garage while trying to change brakes on the family van, while drinking a compound B-12 shake instead of the Monster.

On a warm summer evening just outside Pittsburgh, The Rise of Rock World Tour 2026 delivered exactly what its name promised, three generations of hard rock excellence sharing one stage, with Dorothy igniting the crowd, Stone Temple Pilots reminding everyone why they're alternative rock royalty, and Godsmack unleashing a powerhouse headlining performance, while The Pavilion at Star Lake became a cathedral for riff-driven alternative rock.

The evening began with Dorothy, whose blues-infused hard rock has continued to earn a devoted following. Singer, Dorothy Martin walked onto the stage with undeniable confidence, commanding attention from the first note. Her powerhouse vocals soared over thick guitar riffs and thunderous rhythms, setting an energetic tone for the night, blasting through tracks like "The Devil I Know", "Raise Hell", and "Dark Nights" which all have equally sounding melancholy rock riffs as their song titles suggest. Whether delivering emotionally charged ballads or full-throttle rock anthems, Dorothy proved why she's become one of modern rock's most compelling voices. By the end of her set, early arrivals had become enthusiastic converts.

After a brief intermission, Stone Temple Pilots, and one of the supreme alternative/grunge veterans, wasted little time reminding everyone why their catalog remains one of the defining soundtracks of the '90s alternative explosion. While no one could ever replace the late Scott Weiland, vocalist Jeff Gutt has firmly established himself as the right man to carry the torch. His respect for the material was evident throughout the performance, while still bringing his own personality to classics that have stood the test of time.

From the opening chords, of tracks like "Vasoline", or "Wicked Garden" the crowd enthusiastically sang along to hit after hit. Dean DeLeo's unmistakable guitar work remained as inventive and melodic as ever, while Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz anchored the performance with the same groove and chemistry that have defined Stone Temple Pilots for decades. Their set struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and vitality, proving these songs have lost none of their power.

As darkness settled over Star Lake, anticipation reached its peak before Godsmack stormed the stage to a deafening roar. The second the Kabuki curtain dropped, fans erupted as singer/frontman Sully Erna fed off of their energy, turning the Pittsburgh-based venue into a celebration of hard rock's enduring spirit.

Erna remains one of rock's most commanding frontmen, effortlessly alternating between intense aggression and heartfelt sincerity while engaging thousands of fans throughout the amphitheater. His vocals were as powerful as ever, while guitarist Sam Koltun, bassist Robbie Merrill, and joining the alt. rock fray, legendary drummer Mike Mangini (Dream Theatre, Steve Vai, Extreme), formed an unstoppable rhythm machine behind him.

The band's performance showcased everything fans have come to expect from a Godsmack show: crushing riffs, synchronized lighting, and a relentless pace that rarely allowed the audience to catch its breath, even though most of us these days are in our 40's! Every song was met with fists in the air or the metal horns and thunderous singalongs as fans screamed every lyric back toward the stage.

The variety of the setlist was tailored to every Godsmack fan's wishes, with older tunes like Keep Away and Whatever off of Godsmack's 1997 self-titled album, to newer songs like You and I from their 2023 album Lighting Up the Sky, to the obvious Godsmack hits like Voodoo and Awake, there was a little bit of history hidden in the set. One of the evening's standout moments arrived near the end of the set when Godsmack broke into a cover of Joe Walsh's classic "Rocky Mountain Way." The performance served as both a tribute to one of rock's legendary songwriters and a reminder of the band's musical versatility.

With the audience already at a fever pitch, the band launched into "I Stand Alone" to close out the night, sending the amphitheater into absolute chaos. The unmistakable opening riff triggered an eruption of cheers as thousands of voices joined Erna for every word. It was the perfect closer, as a song that has become synonymous with Godsmack's legacy and one that still carries the same intensity more than two decades after its release. As the final notes rang out, fans were left exhausted, exhilarated, and wanting more.

The Rise of Rock World Tour 2026 wasn't simply a package tour featuring three outstanding bands, it was a reminder that rock music continues to evolve while honoring its roots, as Dorothy represented rock's future, Stone Temple Pilots celebrated its enduring legacy, and Godsmack demonstrated why they remain one of hard rock's most formidable live acts, and judging by the headbanging, sore voices, and ringing ears of the fans, the spirit of rock is still very much alive.

You can check out a full list of tour dates, a photo gallery from the show, and more below!