Back in the ’80s, I was just another kid wandering the Oshawa Centre mall — or the OC as we called it — when I spotted Breaking the Chains at a sidewalk sale. I didn’t know then that George Lynch’s guitar tone would help shape my taste in rock forever. Fast-forward a few decades, and here I was, watching that same guitar hero take the stage again on The Brotherhood Tour.
Old Fire, New Energy
Lynch Mob kicked things off with the blues-driven “She’s Evil But She’s Mine.” Right away, it was clear George still plays with that unmistakable blend of feel and fury. The man might shred like there’s no tomorrow, but his phrasing has space — the kind that pulls you in rather than bulldozes over you.
Singer Andrew Freeman wasted no time commanding the crowd, leading everyone through the AOR-infused “River of Love” and the Dokken classic “When Heaven Comes Down.” The entire venue joined in, shouting every word like it was 1987 again.
Lynch in Command
Lynch, sporting his trademark grin and a compression sleeve on his left arm, mentioned in interviews that years of bodybuilding and relentless playing have caused occasional muscle cramps and arm fatigue. None of that showed tonight. His tone was sharp, his vibrato fierce, and every solo drew cheers — not just from fans but from fellow musicians in the room.
When the band tore into “Sweet Sister Mercy,” bassist Sean McNabb threw a shout-out to the Toronto Raptors’ NBA victory, sending the crowd into a frenzy. It set the stage for a smoking run through Dokken’s “It’s Not Love,” stretched into a jam session that reminded everyone why Lynch remains one of rock’s most expressive players.
Moments That Stuck
A spontaneous discussion onstage about what to play next led into “Testify,” where the band found their deepest groove of the night. Lynch even stepped up to the mic for a rare vocal moment, later sharing that a recent Aretha Franklin documentary inspired him to explore singing again.
“Believers of the Day” and “The Hunter” followed, showcasing Freeman’s powerhouse vocals and the band’s tight interplay. Then came the inevitable eruption: “Mr. Scary.” The song that cemented Lynch’s legend as a guitar virtuoso still sounded massive — a wall of tone that had phones in the air and jaws on the floor.
They closed the main set with “Into the Fire,” extended with a jam that nodded to Van Halen-era swagger before leaving the stage to a roar.
Encore of Fury
The encore hit like a freight train: “Tooth and Nail,” “Street Fightin’ Man,” and the anthem everyone waited for — “Wicked Sensation.” Even near midnight, the crowd’s energy didn’t dip. The band played with the looseness of veterans who know exactly how to deliver a memorable show without overplaying a note.
Final Thoughts
Lineup changes have come and gone, but Lynch Mob still sound like a band with something to prove. Lynch, even after all these years — compression sleeve and all — performs with the same hunger and finesse that made him a guitar god in the first place.
I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.
