Album Review — Mammoth Wvh
Mammoth Wvh — Mammoth Wvh
Wolfgang Van Halen’s highly anticipated debut record is out this week under the moniker “Mammoth Wvh”, a tribute to the original name of his famous father’s band. The album was originally supposed to be released in 2018 but was shelved while Eddie Van Halen fought cancer. Nearly a year after his father’s death, Wolfgang has finally released “Mammoth Wvh” after releasing a few singles over the last few months.
We need to get this out of the way first. This record sounds nothing like Van Halen. Wolfgang is clearly talented as he sings and plays all the instruments on the record, but he has his own sound. If I were to compare the sound to someone, it reminds me of late 90s Foo Fighters musically.
I’ve had a few listens to the 14 tracks and I think the album is worth of a track by track breakdown. So here we go…
“Mr. Ed” — The title is likely a reference to his father, but musically it is more Foo Fighters. The track is built around an opening riff that weaves its way in and out of the track. I really like the chorus. It’s catchy with nice layered vocals. I wouldn’t call Wolfgang’s voice unique but he sounds quite good and hits all the notes you’d hope for. And yes, there’s a guitar solo that does have what sounds like his dad’s unique finger tapping. A great opening track.
“Horribly Right” — A heavy riff opens the track and again I’m reminded of Foo Fighters. It’s got that combination of being heavy but plenty of melody, a trademark of the Foos. I really like the vocals parts where Wolfgang’s voice gets a little edgy. Another strong track.
“Epiphany” — A bass line opens the next track followed by another interesting guitar riff. Layered vocals in the verse really draws your attention to this catchy track. I really like this one. Wolfgang has a real sense of melody and “Epiphany” is a great example of this.
“Don’t Back Down” — This is the latest single that features a video with Wolfgang playing with a bunch of Wolfgang’s in the studio. It’s a heavier track with a crunchy riff that’s countered with a second riff. I keep coming back to the Foo Fighters. The voice is quite different but the song structure and even the riffs have a similar feel. I like it.
“Resolve” — An acoustic guitar with a less distorted electric guitar start “Resolve”. Wolfgang explores a higher register at times with his vocal that really works. At just over five minutes, it’s one of the longer songs and we get to hear a little more lead guitar work. This is another really strong track.
“You’ll Be The One” — Of all the tracks so far, this one sounds the most like a Foo Fighters song from the 90s. Simple distorted riff with a second guitar riff countering. A simple but well constructed track.
“Mammoth” — More tasty riffs and a really catchy chorus. The underrated part of the Hagar fronted version of Van Halen were the riffs that the songs were based around. They weren’t overly fancy but they were the base that the songs were built around. There is some good lead guitar work throughout this record, but the genius in these tracks are the riffs each songs is built around.
“Circles” — The most different sounding track so far. “Circles” starts out more acoustically with layered lead vocals. Then we get the electric guitar and it sounds like something I’ve heard before. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s familiar without being someone else’s song. It’s a well placed track that’s different than what we’ve heard up until now. It’s one of those tracks that keeps getting better each time I hear it.
“The Big Picture” — Another simple but memorable riff kicks off “The Big Picture”. This one is a little more grungy and distorted and features Wolfgang at full throat at times. Clearly Wolfgang has a varied musical taste which comes through.
“Think It Over” — An interesting riff followed by a driving bass line starts “Think It Over”. This one is straight ahead arena rock and sticks in your head with it’s catchy chorus and toe tapping beat. I imagine this one will end up being a single at some point. Just a great track.
“You’re To Blame” — Another Foo Fighters-type riff kicks off “You’re To Blame”. Then that second guitar over the original riff gives the track that energy. The groove on this one is infectious and we get a short Tom Morello-like solo. Another cool track.
“Feel” — A heavier guitar riff over a drum beat leads to a driving verse. It’s another one of those songs that reminds me of another band but I can’t figure out who. Wolfgang has someone figured out how to deliver 14 tracks that sound familiar without sounding exactly like anyone else or like each other.
“Stone” — The longest track on the record clocking in at over six and a half minutes, “Stone” has that epic feel to it. Technically, it was likely the closing track before the addition of the bonus track. It’s a plodding track that slowly builds and fills out to musical breakdown and somehow finds its way back.
“Distance” — The first track the world heard from Wolfgang shortly after the passing of his father, it’s hard not to think of the accompanying video that was all family home videos. It’s difficult for me to get through this track without getting emotional. It’s clearly about the passing of his father but also brings up emotions of life changing and moving on. The emotion that Wolfgang exudes in his vocal is both impressive and heartbreaking. Simply put, “Distance” is the best song I’ve heard this year and probably over the last five years. It really is the perfect song.
When I heard that Wolfgang was releasing a record and naming the project after his father’s famous band’s original name, I was concerned he was just going to try and recreate the same sound. But Wolfgang has created something that is all his own. The musicianship is as you would expect from the bloodlines but this record is more about the songs. And the songs are simply fantastic.
I can think of nothing better to say about this record than it’s the best record of the year and it’s not even close. It has everything I want from a record. Great songs and performance. Enough variety to keep my attention without getting off track. It’s heavy at times but very melodic. And it’s dripping with emotion.
So stop reading and get this record right now.
100 out of 100
Track Listing
- Mr. Ed *
- Horribly Right
- Epiphany *
- Don’t Back Down
- Resolve *
- You’ll Be The One
- Mammoth *
- Circles
- The Big Picture
- Think It Over *
- You’re To Blame *
- Feel
- Stone
- Distance (Bonus Track) *
*Best Songs