Pearcy/DeMartini – Sebastian Bach – Slaughter
Rockageddon
Yaamava Resort – Highland, CA
Thursday, February 26th, 2026
Review/Pictures: Diane Lynn
This was the best “Throwback Thursday” I’ve experienced in a long time. It was a night fueled by nostalgia and one that reminded everyone in attendance of the “good old days,” when hanging out with friends and cranking some of the best rock music ever made was just about the only thing that mattered.
The Yaamava Theater hosted ROCKAGEDDON, a lineup stacked with heavy-hitting names from the hair metal era of hard rock. The big draw was seeing Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini back on stage together again. Something that once seemed nearly impossible. Add in Sebastian Bach, the powerhouse voice that once shook arenas with Skid Row, and Slaughter, the band responsible for one of the ultimate party anthems, “Up All Night,” and you’ve got the recipe for a memorable night.
The crowd was a mix of generations, though let’s be honest, the majority were long-time metalheads who lived through the era firsthand. Still, judging by the sea of vintage concert tees, metal studs, and the occasional poofy hairstyle, the spirit of the ’80s and early 90’s is clearly alive and well.
Slaughter Stickin’ It To Us!
Kicking off the evening was Slaughter, a band that doesn’t make it to Southern California nearly as often as fans might like. The last time I caught them live was at Hair Nation Fest back in 2017, which helped close out Irvine Meadows. Nearly a decade later, they still sounded tight and energized.
The band took the stage first, with co-founding member Dana Strum holding down the low end on bass. Guitarist Jeff Blando and drummer Jordan Cannata brought plenty of punch to the rhythm section before frontman Mark Slaughter emerged last, grinning ear to ear and clearly ready to rock.
The set opened with “Mad About You,” instantly transporting fans back to the early ’90s. With limited time on the schedule, the band stuck to the essentials, delivering a hit-filled set that included “Burning Bridges,” “Spend My Life,” “Fly to the Angels,” and the crowd-favorite “Up All Night.” They also paid tribute to rock legends The Who with a brief but cool snippet of “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
From the floor to the upper levels of the theater, fans were on their feet, singing along and rocking out until the final note. If Slaughter returns to Southern California anytime soon, I’ll be there without hesitation. *Editors note: They ARE Coming Back!
Sebastian Bach Brings the Big Guns
Next up was Sebastian Bach, a performer whose energy on stage remains at peak level. Having seen him several times over the years, it’s impressive how consistently he brings the same intensity and passion to every performance.
Bach wasted no time getting things started. As a music video played across the massive screen behind him, he launched straight into “What Do I Got to Lose,” a track from his recent album Child Within the Man. From there, the set quickly turned into a celebration of his Skid Row years.
Fan favorites like “Slave to the Grind,” “Big Guns,” and “Piece of Me” had the crowd fully engaged. Between songs, Bach shared stories and reflections from his past, including a few jabs at MTV for no longer playing music videos. A sentiment that drew plenty of cheers from the audience.
One of the night’s lighter moments came when Bach brought out a custom-printed Frisbee and began tossing it around while singing, eventually signing it and throwing it into the crowd for a lucky fan.
The band behind him was equally impressive. On drums was his son, Paris Bach, who delivered a standout performance. Guitarist Brody DeRozie and bassist Fede Delfini rounded out a tight and talented backing band.
During the set, Sebastian took a moment to honor fallen rock legends, dedicating the power ballad “I Remember You” to Ace Frehley of Kiss, who had originally been scheduled to appear on the bill before his untimely passing. As the crowd raised their phones and “lighters,” DeRozie handled both the acoustic and electric guitar parts beautifully.
Bach closed his set with the Skid Row anthem “Youth Gone Wild,” leaving the crowd buzzing. Seeing him command a larger stage like the Yaamava Theater proved once again that he still has the presence of a true arena frontman.
Stephen & Warren Together Again
The night’s biggest moment came with the long-awaited reunion of Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini, both formerly of RATT. While the two reunited last year, the Yaamava show marked one of their first scheduled appearances together in 2026.
For longtime fans, it felt like witnessing something once thought impossible.
DeMartini stepped onto the stage first, cool and composed, offering a subtle smirk as the crowd erupted. Casually dressed but unmistakably commanding, he moved to the front of the stage and immediately let his guitar do the talking. Pearcy soon joined him, and the two began delivering the songs that made RATT a staple of rock radio in the ’80s.
Joining them on stage were (RATT) guitarist Carlos Cavazo, bassist Matt Thorne and drummer Blas Elias—yes, the same Blas Elias who originally made his mark with Slaughter as a co-founding member.
The set was packed with sing-along favorites, from “I Want a Lover” to “Slip of the Lip.” At times Pearcy’s vocals were a bit hard to hear in the mix, but it hardly mattered. The crowd filled in every word, with horns raised and heads banging throughout the theater. The night closed with very popular RATT classic “Round and Round.”
By the time the final notes rang out, it was clear that ROCKAGEDDON delivered exactly what it promised: a night of unforgettable nostalgia, classic riffs, and a reminder that great rock music never really goes out of style.
And judging by the reaction from the crowd, it’s safe to say the spirit of those glory days is still alive and kicking.
Rockageddon was a complete success
