Live Review: Mammoth + Myles Kennedy + Return To Dust @ The Tabernacle, Atlanta - November 8, 2025

Chris Collett
Nov 9
3 min read

Wolfgang Van Halen - Mammoth - Photo by Chris Collett

Atlanta Gets Loud

Atlanta’s Tabernacle crowd showed up early and the energy never let up. From the first hit of the kick drum to the final chord of “The End,” Mammoth owned every second of their set. Wolfgang Van Halen has become a frontman who feels completely at home on stage, and this show proved it. It wasn’t about production tricks or nostalgia. It was a rock band playing loud, honest music in one of the city’s best venues.

Return to Dust Opens the Night

Return to Dust opened the show and made their mark fast. Their mix of grunge grit and heavy melodic hooks hit right where it needed to. Songs like “Shine,” “Belly Up,” and “New Religion” carried that throwback punch that instantly pulled the room in. For a band still earning their stripes, they already perform like pros and set the tone perfectly for what was coming next.

Myles Kennedy Finds His Groove

Myles Kennedy followed with a set that showed exactly why he’s one of the most respected voices in modern rock. His tone, control, and emotion never faltered. Tracks like “Nothing More to Gain,” “Miss You When You’re Gone,” “The Art of Letting Go,” and “Get Along” hit deep, and his easy stage presence kept the crowd hanging on every note. Kennedy didn’t need lights or effects, just that voice and a guitar. Simple, focused, and powerful.

Mammoth Hits the Stage

By the time Mammoth took the stage, the crowd was ready. They launched straight into “One of a Kind” and the sound was massive. The setlist pulled from both albums, with “The Spell,” “Epiphany,” “Same Old Song,” “Like a Pastime,” and “Happy” all landing with precision. Wolfgang was locked in and having fun all night, cracking jokes between songs. At one point he laughed and said it’s going to be dangerous now that they’ve given him a wireless mic. Everything about the performance felt alive. No backing tracks, no filler, just real musicians doing their thing.

Moments That Stuck

The emotional centerpiece came with “Distance.” As home videos of Wolfgang’s childhood played behind him, the crowd went completely silent. You could see people holding their phones down, just taking it in. Then, just as fast, the tempo kicked back up with “All in Good Time,” “Take a Bow,” and “I Really Wanna.” “Happy” stood out for its grungy, almost Nirvana-style tone, especially with the smiley X-eye visuals behind the band. They wrapped with “Don’t Back Down” and “The End,” sending the room out buzzing.

Final Thoughts

This show didn’t rely on flash or filler. It was pure musicianship and connection. Mammoth has fully come into its own, and Wolfgang doesn’t need the weight of legacy to make it work. The new songs from The End sound even stronger live, and the chemistry within the band makes every song hit harder. Atlanta gave them the energy and they threw it right back. It’s exactly what a rock show should be.