Here's Greg Hill's review (from www.erruption.com):

Standing on the floor at the VH soundboard here in the Cleveland Gund Arena, you cannot help but to literally feel the excitement penetrate your soul as it is just moments away from rock's greatest band ever, to be reunited again after a long nine-year split. As I look around at the huge audience I am in awe of the diversity of the generations in attendance. Every fan ranging from 1978 through 1998 are in attendance along with a whole new generation of Van Halen fans that are about to be born...


The lights lower as the roar of excitement from the crowd swells, Then cutting through the airwaves like a giant two edged sword along with brother Alex's monstrous drums wailing, comes a loud mean growling rumble from the fretboard of none other than rock's premiere guitar god and timeless legend himself... Edward Van Halen.

Frontman Sammy Hagar initiates the action with a trademark "Helloooooo Baaaaaaby!..." and the party officially begins!

The band opens with their 1984 classic "Jump" the crowd roars with approval as Edward, Alex, Mike and Sammy pour the song out with everything they got! Edward looks in perfect health, very lean & mean, jumping & sliding all over the stage along with countless numbers of his signature "Flying Eddie" jumps. Alex Van Halen is still on top of his game with his flawless powerful double kick druming. Michael Anthony's bass playing is superb, very powerful and so full of energy as well as his vocals which contribute to Van Halen's unmistakable sound. What else can you say about Sammy Hagar, Whenever Sammy takes the stage it is like being re visited by an old dear friend who makes you feel good about yourself. With his incredible vocals and stage presence along with his awesome personal relation ship with the fans makes the Van Halen machine runs through arena like a rock n roll juggernaught.

The band poured their hearts out for over two hours, delivering a cornucopia of classic Van halen tune's, Everything from "Aint Talkin Bout Love" to "Pound cake" with the addition of thier two new singles "Up For breakfast" and "It's About Time" from thier latest CD "Best Of Both Worlds" scheduled to hit store shelves July 20th.

The full setlist was:

Jump
Runaround
Humans Being
Up For Breakfast
[Bass Solo]
Somebody Get Me a Doctor
Poundcake
It's About Time
[Drum Solo]
Top Of The World
Unchained
Why Can't This Be Love
Deeper Kinda Love / Eagles Fly
The Seventh Seal
Best of Both Worlds
[Guitar Solo]
Dreams
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Right Now

For the first encore:
You Really Got Me
Panama

For the second encore:
When It's Love

Great nostalgia on this tour as well with Mike bringing his "Jack Daniels" bass out of retirement for his solo spots, though he has cut his drink size down from a fith to an "airline" size bottle on stage.

Edward dust off the infamous "5150 Kramer" for the new single "Up For Breakfast".. The pink cargo pants and frankenstriped converse shoe's he sported at this show was reminiscent of the "Live Without A Net" show shot in New Haven, Connecticut back in 1986 during the 5150 tour.

All four members solo spots were awesome as well. Edward's solo was just what you would expect from from him, incorporating all his past soloing material and adding new stuff from his bag of tricks to keep all aspiring guitarist in the house staring in awe. Mike's solo though short in its length, was powerful and too the point. But he also gave us all the added bonus of "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" with him handling all the lead vocals. Sammy's solo was incredible and soothing doing "Eagles Fly" and "Deeper Kind Of Love". Alex's solo was incredible as usual, always on cue and dead on the money, a true professional.

The band's morale and camaraderie is at an all time high, With Sammy & Edward chasing each other around the stage and goofing around with humorous exchanges back and forth through the course of the show. They have seemed to have truly cast all thier differences into a sea of forgetfulness. Its as though these four have picked right up where they left off in 1995.

In conclusion, the boys are back, better than ever. High energy and great vibes flowing everywhere. Everyone is in great health and workin & rockin hard & having allot of fun. This is just the beginning of great things to come from the mighty Van Halen! As back in the days of thier debut, the rock music scene was in a serious rut just as it is today. And once again its being saved by four of its greatest, Edward,Alex,Mike & Sammy, The Mighty Van Halen! And all I can say is... It's About Time.


Review by Greg Hill.
Visit www.erruption.com for more.