LIVE REVIEW: Ghost/Volbeat w/Twin Temple at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI on February 20, 2022

Photos & Review by Greg Hamil

As life comes closer to returning to normal, concerts have come back full force. The scene for this show was the fantastic Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. Performing on this night was co-headliners Ghost & Volbeat, with special guests Twin Temple.

I had never heard of Twin Temple, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Guitarist Zachary James stepped on the stage in looking like a satanic county music star in his red and black sequined suit. Following right behind him was his wife and vocalist Alexandra James in a red and black sequined outfit and cape. Also sporting a tall bee-hive hairdo that would make Elvira proud.

The pair went through a ritual of anointing the crowd with satanic holy water and swords. The music was the most surprising of all! I was expecting a dark style of hard rock and what I got was a rock-a-billy style of music that made me feel much like I was at a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Twin Temple Set List: In Lux – Sex Magic – Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy – Satan’s Woman – I’m Wicked – In Nox

As the curtain dropped for Volbeat, it was an all-out assault on the senses from the first note played. The light show alone was one of the best I have seen in a long time. Along with the light show, there were several screens that projected various images and animations, but mostly live views of the band that allowed people with the worst seats to feel like they were in the front row.

Because it was a co-headlining show, Volbeat had an hour and fifteen minutes to squeeze in 16 songs. But this was no problem for them as they transitioned seamlessly from song to song.

As vocalist Micheal Poulson belted out song after song, guitarist Rob Caggiano and bassist Kasper Boye Larsen criss-crossed the stage interacting with the crowd. Playing such hits as “Sad Man’s Tongue”, “Lola Montez”, “Black Rose”, etc., the night progressed very quickly. Before playing their final two songs, Poulson took the time to thank everyone for being brave and coming back out to live shows. He let everyone know that playing live means the world to whole band before breaking into “Die To Live”. After introducing the band, Volbeat ended the show with one of their most popular songs, “Still Counting”.

Volbeat Set List: The Devil’s Bleeding Crown – Pelvis On Fire – Temple of Ekur – Lola Montez – Sad Man’s Tongue – A Warrior’s call/I Only Want To Be With You – Say No More – Wait A Minute My Girl – Black Rose – Shotgun Blues – Seal The Deal – The Devil Rages On – Doc Holliday – The Sacred Stones – Die To Live – Still Counting

At 10:00 p.m. sharp, the lights went dark and Ghost hit the stage! Behind the curtain you see a silhouette of one of the Nameless Ghouls playing opening notes of “Kaisarion” from the upcoming “Impera” album. The curtain drops and three Ghouls rush to the front of the stage. As they slowly, back down the stage vocalist Tobias Forge glides to the front of the stage bring the crowd to it’s feet!

Forge is clearly the “master of ceremonies”. Firstly, he interacts with the crowd to make them feel like part of the show. Secondly, his interaction with the Nameless Ghouls, ordering them around the stage and scolding them if they took too much of his spotlight was hysterical.

Of course, the music was spot-on! The show included hits like, “Rats”, “Cirice”, “Ritual” and “Mummy Dust”. They even played a cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”.

Of course, Ghost saved their two biggest hits for the end of the show. First was “Dance Macabre” with Forge front and center and several of the Nameless Ghouls lining both sides. This ends with an explosion of confetti and Forge telling people on the floor that it is just paper and isn’t worth very much. For the final song of the night, they break into “Square Hammer”. The crowd is on their feet as the Nameless Ghouls play the opening riff and explosions go off at the back of the stage. It was a great ending to a great show!

Ghost Set List: Kaisarion – Rats – From The Pinnacle To The Pit – Mary On A Cross – Devil Church – Cirice – Hunter’s Moon – Faith – Helvetesfoner – Year Zero – Ritual – Mummy Dust – Enter Sandman – Dance Macabre – Square Hammer