Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II (Album Review)

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Simon Valentine

Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II
Released: August 4th, 2023

Mammoth WVH online:

Wolfgang Van Halen’s 2021 debut, Mammoth WVH, seemed to fly under the radar here in Australia when it came out, which is a shame as I think it was one of the year’s best rock albums. Thankfully, Wolfgang’s follow-up is getting a bit more of a push worldwide, and from my first listen it doesn’t so much as deserve the attention, but demands it.

For the uninitiated, Wolfgang Van Halen is the son of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen and spent some time as the touring bass player in the band Van Halen’s later years when they reunited with David Lee Roth and released what would become their final album, A Different Kind Of Truth, back in 2012 (an album well worth a stream if you haven’t heard it.) Sadly, we lost Eddie back in 2020, but that hasn’t deterred Wolfgang from stepping out of his father’s shadows and forging his own career and has since proved to the world that the Van Halen bloodline is filled with talent, handling multiple instrument duties on both his debut and his new album, Mammoth II.

This new album continues to showcase an immense songwriting gift that flourished on Wolfgang’s first album and has clearly been refined over the course of recording his follow-up. Although let’s face it – WVH had not just one, but two epic teachers to learn from. From the opening thunder of ‘Right’, he presents a polished and huge rock style, with riffs aplenty along with the trademark guitar work that put the family name on the map.

Beginner and seasoned guitarists alike will drool over the many solo sections that adorn the album, including a multitude of tapping licks, such as what’s featured on the album’s initial single ‘Another Celebration At The End Of The World’ and, later in the album, the epic belter ‘Erase Me.’

‘Miles Above Me’ is another loud rocker of a song with a great melodic instrumental passage, while the latest single ‘Take a Bow’ is powerful with great vocal harmonies, and houses one of those big rock hooks that, when executed well, I always enjoy, with a guitar solo that is dynamic and isn’t afraid to break the more subdued moments.

There are some great heavy moments on here, such as the pounding work on ‘Optimist,’ it’s clear here that WVH is proud to have some modern metal influences on his sleeve. Getting up to ‘I’m Alright’, I’ve become sold on Wolfgang’s range as a vocalist, able to belt out some loud moments and getting up close for softer parts.

‘Waiting’ presents itself as Mammoth II’s best example of a ballad that cements WVH as a bloke that knows his way around some lyrics “Just don’t give up / I’ll always be here / Never far” and is a great song that I hope gets a single/video treatment. Closing the album is ‘Better Than You’, and bookends the album with the trademark huge riffage that’s peppered the whole album overall.

Mammoth II is a phenomenal album that isn’t afraid to embrace the Van Halen family name with its musicality, while also making sure that Wolfgang is well and truly off on his own journey outside of his Dad’s shadow.

Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II tracklisting

1. Right
2. Like A Pastime
3. Another Celebration At The End Of The World
4. Miles Above Me
5. Take A Bow
6. Optimist
7. I’m Alright
8. Erase Me
9. Waiting
10. Better Than You