Mammoth WVH
The End

A yellow cover with an almost banal design, featuring the orange silhouette of a man engulfed in flames at its center, and a brief title that (mistakenly) suggests the end of a young career.

It's called “The End,” the third release by Mammoth, who on this occasion drop the WVH suffix to offer a definitive overview of Wolfgang Van Halen’s band—the talented heir of the late Eddie. Once again, recording sessions took place at the legendary 5150 Studios in Los Angeles, a historic location that hosted Van Halen throughout their entire career. Production is once again entrusted to Michael “Elvis” Baskette, now an immovable member of the extended family that also includes Alter Bridge and Tremonti (with whom Wolfgang played as bassist for two years).

No sophisticated imagery this time, unlike the first two albums, with the self-titled “Mammoth” from 2021 even drawing from a work by artist John Brosio. The visual impact is in clear contrast with what we hear right from the opening “One Of a Kind.” A crescendo of riffs and percussion sets the stage for what is definitely the most mature of the three works released in just under five years of activity. We are reminded of “Wolfie’s” vocal talent right from the first chorus, as well as his aptitude for songwriting, entirely entrusted to the young multi-instrumentalist born in Santa Monica.

With the video for “The Spell,” Wolfgang once again takes the opportunity, playfully, to remind us that if he had more than a couple of arms, he could manage the entire live setup by himself. He does this with a powerful bass line that then gives way to a captivating solo—one of many featured on the remaining nine tracks.

Speaking of videos, it’s a must to mention the one released for the title track, “The End” (among the best of the album). It opens with lightning-fast finger picking, a house specialty, which provokes a wild reaction from an audience of werewolves, among whom we spot his friend Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Slash) and spouse, recognizable in the crowd before the beastly metamorphosis. During the performance, there’s no shortage of tapping—an important Van Halen family legacy—that amazes and prompts a smile, making us think back to Eddie wielding his red, white, and black Frankestrat.

Across the tracklist, we go from lighthearted themes and lyrics, as in the mid-tempo “Better Off” or the explicit refrain of “I Really Wanna,” to songs that embrace topics dealing with contemporary issues, such as the fear of facing these turbulent, uncertain times. But there’s still a light at the end of the tunnel with “All In Good Time,” the only track that wears the ballad’s guise—a true absentee in this third entry of Mammoth’s discography. “Distance,” present in the debut album and dedicated to father Eddie, drew a deep divide, and perhaps that conversation is only postponed. We are surprised by the grunge feel of “Happy,” and can’t dodge the slap delivered by the hard rock of “Something New” and “Selfish,” where the instruments weave together with technical mastery. From the very first releases, it’s been clear that the band’s style draws wholeheartedly from the well of early millennium post-grunge and, whether due to Baskette’s influence at the helm or Wolfgang’s recent time with Tremonti, it’s inevitable to notice blatant compositional influences.

Three quality records in four years is something truly remarkable, regardless of the DNA and personal history of those who made them. Wolfgang Van Halen began his career at fifteen and was part of the legendary family band, with whom he recorded the album "A Different Kind Of Truth" thirteen years ago. He then received the inevitable blessing of his father, who warned the whole world with these words:

"Aspettate di sentire questo ragazzo suonare il basso, la chitarra e la batteria. Può fare tutto quello che faccio io alla chitarra... il nome 'Van Halen', l'eredità di famiglia andrà avanti anche dopo che me ne sarò andato, perché questo ragazzo è semplicemente naturale".

Nothing could have been more prophetic. Today, Wolfgang “Wolfie” Van Halen has inherited a legacy as important as it was inevitable, being truly destined for it. He’s only at the beginning of his career, and though he’s already played in Europe, he hasn’t yet done so as a headliner—something that will surely happen soon. We are certain he’ll go far, thanks to his talent and the support of a special guardian angel, who always “ran with the devil,” but also always left him behind in the final sprint.