Needless to say, Eddie Van Halen’s son would have certainly made his Dad proud if he were still alive today. Not only has he launched a successful solo music career, he plays all the instruments on his albums and even has his own custom-made semi-hollow body EVH Gear guitar: the SA-126. Instead of simply latching onto his father’s brilliant legacy, Wolfgang Van Halen is creating his own golden legacy that is inspired yet different from the music of Van Halen with his father. Eddie also no doubt was an influence on his son Wolfgang, but even so, the music present on his albums is very different to that of Van Halen or (pun intended) Van Hagar. This album, unlike the first solo Mammoth WVH album, was written after EVH’s sad passing so it is understandable if there is a shift in mood. Let’s jump into the music present and we shall hear what is on offer.

Right? launches straight into a fantastic Rock groove, and sounds legendary. Wolfie is back, and he sings well here. This is a sensationally good Rock groove with awesome vocals, pounding rhythms and scorching guitars throughout. Wolfgang Van Halen does a wonderful job musically, and it sounds really cool and awesome. Instantly, this is a classic song that deserves repeat listens. A fine, loud and adventurous sound musically. The second set of verses has some acoustic guitar in the background, before launching straight back into the loud and energetic Heavy Rock Music listening experience. Nonetheless, this song is a really awesome and exciting listen. Rock music is back in the early 2020s. There is an awesome guitar solo that sounds incredibly good, and Wolfgang plays with some excellent styling, shredding and chops to match. All in all, a fantastic song that is very consistent and musically inspired. Towards the end, this music returns to the chorus. A really fantastic listening experience from start to finish. Wolfgang Van Halen makes mammoth-sounding music, in more ways than one.

Like A Pastime begins with a singular bended guitar note repeating, with drums quickly following behind it. This quickly launches into a very good song that is about troubled emotions throughout. This is musically matched by Metal-styled guitars, Nu Metal sounding vocals and pounding drums. This launches into a wonderful chorus that proves that this song deserves more attention per se, this song sounds brilliant and powerful. The chorus is euphoric sounding, even if this was written in a sad time in relation to the passing of Wolfgang’s Dad, Eddie Van Halen. In the second half are some brilliant musical changes, with rolling tom-tom drums and other excellent sounds present. This has a drastic change towards the end with pounding drums and ripping guitars, with a brief pause, before returning to the chorus. An excellent song, good on you Wolfie, this music is keeping it real.

Another Celebration at the End of the World is the key track from this album. It begins with upbeat and decent drums and has some dirty guitar riffs follow it. Soon enough, this launches into a very musically powerful and catchy listening experience. Wolfgang Van Halen kicks the proverbial, so much more than other artists out there. This is one of the best Rock/Metal albums to be released in many years, and Wolfgang Van Halen should be appreciated for this fact. The musicianship, lyrics and instrumentation are outright fantastic from start to finish. Electrifying listening, this is about loss and despair and is likely about Wolfie’s dad. A wonderful and supercharged piece of music. There is a palm-muted section in the solo part, along with violining feedback and Wolfgang launches back into action here. This follows into a Metallica-styled Thrash Metal inspired section with some excellent drumming. This is followed by a tapped-out guitar solo that sounds truly awesome. All in all, this is a song to remember. Very musically excellent and clever. The conclusion sounds nuts, in a good way.

Miles Above Me begins with upbeat guitar riffs and sounds excellent, from the start. Soon enough, Wolfgang gets the show rolling with some excellent musicianship and playing. This song itself is likely about EVH, and it sounds wonderfully brilliant throughout. The supercharged, awesome and fiery spirit musically in this song is really fantastic. Wolfgang Van Halen makes some really awesome and interesting music for fans of Rock and Metal to enjoy. He sounds like he has a huge wealth of musical knowledge in his hands. The guitar solo is loud, punchy and terrific to listen to. The music is amazing on this album. Wolfgang continues to sing and play along very nicely, and this song has a clear message musically. “Whatever you are, you’re miles above me…” he sings repeatedly throughout this song. Obviously, Eddie Van Halen’s passing has affected many people globally, especially those around him in his personal life. Regardless, a good and well-structured song.

Take A Bow begins with chiming electric guitar parts, and sounds deep, dark and moody melodically. Soon enough, Wolfgang Van Halen enters singing sweetly and this is an amazing sounding song for something nearly seven minutes in length. This music is really awesome, and this song is beautiful and loud with heavy guitars. Quite a way to approach a ballad. Wolfgang sings and plays very wonderfully on this song, and this song is loud, punchy and direct. There is a weird halt after a while before Wolfie goes back into the monstrous verses at hand. This is a sensationally brilliant, great and awesome listening experience that sounds punchy and powerful throughout. The song has some thunderous guitar work and excellent harmonies, along with everything else in the mix. In the middle is another glorious solo section, before Wolfgang Van Halen returns on vocals and he sounds amazing and brilliant simultaneously. A brilliant song. In the second half, after the breakdown is a sweet and nicely played guitar solo to match this music. It is very different from the shred-based guitar solos that Eddie Van Halen, his father, played. Still, it sounds really great to listen to. Two-handed tapping is galore here, and the music itself packs a punch. A dramatic and very listenable song, this sounds very wonderful to listen to. Wolfgang delivers a catchy, excellent and wonderful listening experience that should be cherished. Brilliant, even for this length of a song.

Optimist sounds great from the start, with chugging guitar riffs and a powerful rhythm section to match it. Wolfgang sounds like a man on a mission. Soon enough, he gets singing away very nicely and sounds quite emotional here. This is a very good listening experience that, again, would appeal to Rock and Metal fans out there. The chorus is brilliantly emotional and intense. All in all, a very great listen. This sensationally good slice of music is excellent, well-played and created. The second half has some awesome guitars and drums, leading into a bass guitar solo of sorts. Some awesome drumming enters, followed by a loud set of guitar riffs to boot. This is an irresistibly good listen, and Wolfie definitely delivers. Towards the end, it leads into a brief quiet section of vocals and drums, before launching into the final chorus. A very excellent listen from start to finish, with some Thrash Metal stylings at the end. Sweet.

I’m Alright begins with some AC/DC-styled riffs and pounding snare drums. Wolfgang Van Halen sings very well here, and there are some amazing sounds throughout. It is a great piece of music to listen to. The harmonies present in this song are absolutely insane. A very punchy, well-recorded and produced song that has a wide appeal for those of you who want to hear what EVH’s son is up to. The chorus is very anthemic. The verses are just as good, and Wolfgang sings nicely from the soul. If this album is designed with EVH’s passing in mind, then his son Wolfie is carrying the torch on into the future of music. A great guitar solo in the second half of the song is here, with a ton of wah-wah and fast playing that sounds really cool. A very awesome song, this is not a million miles away from Nu Metal. A really cool set of tunes to sink your teeth into, and this song is no different. Excellent. It ends with sustained and feedback-laden guitars.

Erase Me begins with some upbeat and catchy riffs, before launching into an awesome Heavy Metal-styled song. Wolfgang sings very well on this song and proves his worth in the music present. This is a joyous and glorious song, despite the heavy lyrical matter at hand. In any case, this music is powerful, enjoyable and monstrously good. The lyrics are very raw and sharp, and even though this isn’t a single from this album, it works well on many emotional levels. A great listening experience, there is a bass guitar part, followed by a great tapping guitar solo in the second half of the song. A really pleasant and joyful piece of music, even though the lyrical matter is fairly dark. Decent music to listen to from start to finish. Worth your ears.

Waiting begins with some more clean guitar riffs, and a kick drum, and has Wolfgang singing nicely on this song. A really sweet listening experience, this sounds like a romantic ballad of sorts. This music is very, very good. If Wolfgang Van Halen needed to make a musical mark, then this album is just that. This song is another gem and it is a personal and passionate love song to a potential lover, whether Wolfie was intending this to be for his partner or not. The choruses soar along nicely, and some roaring guitars and soaring vocals are on this song. All in all, a very decent and sweet listening experience from start to finish. The guitar figure from the intro returns, before the chorus kicks in one more time. A very deep and meaningful listening experience, and a good piece of music when in a loving mood. Very sweet.

Better Than You is the final track, beginning with some cool guitar riffing. It then immediately launches into a great and interesting musical groove that is awesome, with some sweet singing from Wolfgang Van Halen. Again, this music is exciting, exhilarating and totally enjoyable music to listen to. A song about having a right to brag, in Wolfgang Van Halen’s own humble way, this sounds legendary from the start. A really cool and sweet-sounding tune that makes for a very fascinating listening experience overall. Wolfgang comes across as a smart guy who can craft tunes on his own better than what your average four or five-member Rock band can do. Towards the middle is a spacey section with multitracked vocals and punchy guitars with some rather interesting and trippy lyrics. In the second half of this song, a roaring guitar section enters and there are some really insane sounds and playing throughout. The fact that Wolfie does all the music here on his own is clever, ingenious and talented of him to be able to do so. This maintains the excitement and euphoria of this album. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end, and this music eventually begins to wrap up and draw to a close with repeated vocals and powerful guitars. There is a lengthy fade out. An awesome listen.

Mammoth WVH is just that, an undeniably powerful musical force in the 21st century that is unstoppable for many, many reasons. This album release, his second, proves that he is a great and powerful musician who has a very bright future ahead of him. Round two of Wolfgang’s album offering is even better than the debut. This has quite a good appeal as well, particularly to Rock and Metal fans. Should you listen to this album? You sure should, it is a golden winner of album listening and is likely the best Rock/Metal album of 2024.

Great music overall by Mammoth WVH.

9/10