AOL Music News Blog (www.aolmusicnewsblog.com) has issued the following report from Steve Baltin:

L.A. radio station KROQ gathered some of the hardest-rocking bands in all the land over the weekend for their annual Inland Invasion show, highlighted by GUNS N' ROSES' first hometown show in years.

Besides GN'R, musicians backstage seemed especially eager to catch Britain's MUSE, who did not disappoint. Following their virtuosic set, the recently reformed ALICE IN CHAINS came out to a strong response and a lot of curiosity. With new frontman William Duvall, the band got some help from LINKIN PARK vocalist Chester Bennington, surprise guest on an inspired version of 'Man In The Box.'

That left Axl. Scheduled to go on at 10, the band, in typical G 'N' R fashion, didn't hit the stage until 10:45. All was forgiven, however, as soon as the lights went down, as the place became electric. Swarms pushed to the front to get their first look at the revamped hometown favorites.

Opening with 'Welcome To The Jungle,' the new band proved more than capable of delivering the music. But all eyes were on Axl, who showed that even after all these years out of the limelight there are few better frontmen in rock. Sure, he can't hit all the notes he once could, but he hit enough during 'Sweet Child O' Mine' to send the crowd into delirium. He also proved to be an engaging frontman, leading a singalong of 'Knocking On Heaven's Door' and poking fun at his own reputation when he thanked the crowd for "actually showing up."