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After more than a decade long hiatus, the members of Creed announced a massive 40-date “Summer of ’99” Tour spanning across the country. Because those shows exceeded all reasonable expectations, the Florida-based rockers decided to let the good time continue to roll — with an additional 20 stops.

On the heels of their highly-anticipated reunion tour, Creed visited CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH as part of their “Are You Ready?” Tour. Amusingly, the last time I saw Creed in concert was, in fact, back in 1999. Along with Oleander and Our Lady Peace, Scott Stapp and friends put on a phenomenal show in Dallas, Texas, that November, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

Wolfgang Van Halen’s band, Mammoth WVH, took to the stage first for a tight, 30-minute set with the level of energy needed by an opener to set the tone for a long night of live music. Next up was 3 Doors Down, who have a sneaky number of hits at their disposal and still sound the same as they did all those years ago, the first time you heard lead singer Brad Arnold belt out the chorus to “Kryptonite.”

Creed’s long-awaited return to the stage delivered a performance that was equal parts nostalgia and unfiltered fun. After years of anticipation, the Florida State rockers reignited their connection with fans, offering a setlist packed with their most iconic hits. From heavier anthems to softer ballads, Creed’s live show proved why their music still resonates with fans more than two decades after their rise to fame.

Opening with the hard-hitting “Bullets,” Creed wasted no time re-establishing their signature sound. Mark Tremonti’s rapid guitar riff set the tone, with Stapp’s unmistakable voice reverberating throughout the arena. As the track built, it became apparent that this wasn’t just a walk down memory lane. The night was a reminder of the potent energy that made Creed one of the most successful bands of their era.

The combination of “Are You Ready?” followed by the classic “My Own Prison” had the crowd on their feet, singing along enthusiastically. Another personal highlight was when the band tore into “One” and “What’s This Life For” back-to-back, which drew a massive response from the crowd.

Stapp finished the set “With Arms Wide Open,” before taking the captive audience “Higher” — courtesy of the anthem of personal triumph that had the entire venue rocking in unison. For the encore, Creed left it all on the stage with “One Last Breath” leading into the powerful, “My Sacrifice,” which closed the night on a high note.

A lot has changed over the last 25 years, but this night proved Creed is still more than capable of delivering their trademark sound on a grand stage. As the lights came up and fans headed for the exits, one thing remained certain — Creed is back, and they’ve never sounded better.

It all started when three friends formed a band in Escatawpa, Mississippi back in 1996. Little did they know just how successful that musical act would become.

To date, 3 Doors Down has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. They’ve had 12 number one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Their first studio album, The Better Life, dropped in 2000 and became one of the best-selling albums of the year, moving more than four million copies. Their debut album has now been certified seven-times platinum.

Despite some lineup changes during the last two decades, the band maintains a loyal fan base and continues to produce high-energy music that resonates with audiences worldwide. These days, 3 Doors Down is comprised of frontman Brad Arnold, lead guitarist Chet Roberts, rhythm guitarist Chris Henderson, bassist Justin Biltonen and drummer Greg Upchurch.

Their sound could be described as alternative with a splash of southern rock mixed in for good measure. Their music leans heavily into catchy hooks, heavy guitar riffs and distinctive drumming, a formula 3 Doors Down has clearly refined. It’s safe to say the band has a sneaky number of hits at their disposal which still sound great all these years later. Hearing Arnold belt out the chorus to “Kryptonite” today still resonates the same as it did more than 20 years ago. Some of their other highlights of their live show include “Loser,” “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You,” all of which received loud ovations by the Baltimore faithful that was eager to sing along.

One of the band’s most notable and commendable achievements is their charity work. In 2003, they founded The Better Life Foundation, which supports various charitable organizations, including children’s hospitals and disaster relief efforts.

Mammoth WVH is the brainchild of Wolfgang Van Halen, son of the legendary Eddie Van Halen. While that last name was established as rock royalty before Wolfgang was ever born, the 33-year-old has made a name for himself as a talented musician in his own right. He started playing bass with Van Halen in 2006 — as a 15-year-old — and has also worked with other notable acts like Tremonti and Clint Lowery.

The songwriter, vocalist and guitar prodigy admits to working tirelessly on the material that eventually became his debut album. Much like Dave Grohl in the early days of Foo Fighters, Wolfgang played every instrument and sang every note, ensuring nothing was lost in translation in his efforts to make a lasting first impression. When Mammoth WVH’s self-titled debut album dropped in 2021, it received widespread critical acclaim and featured hit singles like “Distance,” “Don’t Back Down” and “Epiphany” while debuting at number one on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart.

Mammoth WVH’s style is a blend between Foo Fighters’ heavy riffs, Queens of the Stone Age’s stoner rock vibes with a hint of classic Van Halen flair. It’s safe to say that dad would clearly be proud of what Wolfgang has become.

“The name Mammoth is really special to me.” said Wolfgang. “Not only was it the name of Van Halen before it became Van Halen, but my father was also the lead singer. Ever since my dad told me this, I always thought that when I grew up, I’d call my own band Mammoth, because I loved the name so much. I’m so thankful that my father was able to listen to, and enjoy the music I made. Nothing made me happier than seeing how proud he was that I was continuing the family legacy.”