Mammoth WVH is an American rock band formed and fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen. The band name is a reference to both Wolfgang's initials and Mammoth, an earlier band that featured his father Eddie and uncle Alex prior to forming Van Halen. Wolfgang formed Mammoth WVH initially as a solo project while he was still a part of Van Halen, but became his full-time band after their disbandment in 2020 as a result of Eddie's death. To date, the band has released two albums: Mammoth WVH (2021) and Mammoth II (2023).
Mammoth WVH | |
|---|---|
 Mammoth WVH performing in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
|
| Labels | EX1,[2] BMG |
| Spinoff of | Van Halen |
| Members | Wolfgang Van Halen |
| Website | mammothwvh |
History
edit
Formation and development
editWolfgang Van Halen's musical talents started at a young age. In 2006, when Wolf was 15 years old, his father Eddie Van Halen stated on The Howard Stern Show that his son had unmatched musical talent, stating: "Wait 'til you hear this kid play bass, guitar and drums. He can do anything I do on guitar...the name 'Van Halen', the family legacy is gonna go on way after I'm gone 'cause this kid is just a natural."[3]
Wolfgang Van Halen became an official member of Tremonti, guitarist Mark Tremonti's own band (a side project from the lead guitarist and songwriter for Alter Bridge and Creed) in 2013, replacing previous bassist Brian Marshall, who also plays for Alter Bridge. Wolfgang appears on Tremonti's 2015 studio album Cauterize and its 2016 follow-up Dust.
In a February 2015, Eddie announced that his son Wolfgang had started working on a solo project album.[4] Recording took place at 5150 Studios, and lasted until 2017. Release of the debut album was delayed, as Wolfgang chose to spend time with his father, whose health was declining.[5] In June 2019, Wolfgang appeared as a guest on his mother Valerie Bertinelli's Food Network television show, and announced that he had finished recording the album.[6]
The first single "Distance" was released on November 16, 2020, as a tribute to his father, who died from a stroke on October 6, 2020, after years of battling throat cancer.[7] Wolfgang later revealed that he began work on the song years prior as a coping strategy, while his father's health was declining, stating that he knew there would be an eventual death of his beloved parent, bandmate, and best friend.[5]
In February 2021, Wolfgang announced that Mammoth WVH's self-titled debut album would be released on June 11 of the same year.[8] Later that month, Wolfgang stated that Mammoth WVH will move forward as his primary project, confirming that while it started off as a solo project, he considers the lineup a band. The musician has additional plans with them including a tour. When asked why he recorded the entire album himself, he stated that he wanted to challenge himself and referred inspiration from Dave Grohl's work as the sole member of the early years of Foo Fighters.[5]
In June 2021, Wolfgang described the debut album as "personal" and "therapeutic", while acknowledging influence taken from his father's career.[9] In developing the overall sound and style for the project, Wolfgang stated that while "I'll always be there to champion my father and his legacy...I definitely made a choice to not sound directly like Van Halen...I think that would be boring if I was a carbon copy of my dad."[10]
Band name
editWolfgang Van Halen chose the band's name to be Mammoth WVH, as a derivative of his father's first band named Mammoth, which eventually evolved into Van Halen. Wolfgang said that the concept for the name came from a combination of inspirations. As a child, he grew up hearing the name of his father's former band believing, "That's the coolest name! When I grow up, I want to call my own band that." The younger Van Halen admired that Eddie had a multi-faceted role including serving as the original lead singer of Mammoth, and with his intentions to solely write, perform, and produce the album, he settled on the name. Upon settling on the title, he presented his idea to his father who responded to it with immense positivity and gave his blessing.[11][10]
2021–2022: Mammoth WVH
editThe debut album Mammoth WVH, was released on June 11, 2021. It was met with positive reviews from music critics. Music Talkers complimented that the album "has its own distinct sound...no two tracks feel the same."[12] Sonic Perspectives declared that while the musician was initially met with doubt and criticism, the album "would make [his father] proud" and to "expect to hear his name in this business for many years to come."[13] While Riff Magazine criticized the calculated technique and perceived lack of risk-taking, they praised his musical technicality and acknowledged that "he can go in just about any direction he wants, not only because of his last name, but because he really is that good."[14] Consequence Heavy stated that while the diversity of songs creates a lack of cohesion, it is a "deeply personal and musically rewarding debut" while declaring the musicianship to be "virtuosic".[15]
Ultimate Classic Rock similarly praised the musical technicality praising the "disciplined focus" and stating: "It's going to be fascinating to hear how Wolfgang's music evolves on future albums."[16] Louder Sound gave the album 4/5 stars, calling it "high-tech, energetic, relentless and thrilling" with Metal Planet Music similarly praising the album by classifying it as a "tour de force."[17][18] Wolfgang commented on the album and its success, saying: "I'm so thankful that my father was able to listen to, and enjoy the music I made. I'm really proud of the work I've done and nothing made me happier than seeing how proud he was that I was continuing the family legacy."[18]
After the release of the debut album, Van Halen added Frank Sidoris, Jon Jourdan, Ronnie Ficarro, and Garrett Whitlock to the lineup in preparation for an upcoming tour and for future albums.[19] In early 2022, the band embarked on a co-headlining tour with Dirty Honey called the Young Guns tour. The tour ended in April.[20]
2022–2023: Mammoth II
editIn February 2022, Wolfgang stated that he hoped to begin recording a second album in 2022 following a tour in support of the debut album, citing that he has enough material to record, as well as leftover tracks from the debut album to look at.[21] Wolfgang proceeded to begin work later that year in October 4.[22]
Mammoth II was released on digital formats on August 4, 2023. Additionally, the 10-song LP was released on a limited edition pink cassette available on the band's website.
2024–present: Mammoth III
editIn an interview on KDVV/V100 radio in February 2024, Wolfgang confirmed that he had begun "working on some preliminary sort of" the third Mammoth WVH album, titled Mammoth III.[23]
Members
edit_Wolfgang_Van_Halen.jpg)
Official band
- Wolfgang Van Halen – vocals, guitars, keyboards, piano, bass guitar, drums, percussion
Additional touring lineup[24][5]
- Frank Sidoris – guitars, backing vocals (2021–present)
- Jonathan Jourdan – guitars, backing vocals (2021–present)
- Ronnie Ficarro – bass, backing vocals (2021–present)
- Garrett Whitlock – drums, percussion (2021–present)
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [25] |
US Indie [26] |
US Hard Rock [27] |
US Rock [28] |
CAN [29] |
NLD [30] |
SCO [31] |
SWI [32] |
UK [33] |
UK Rock [33] | ||
| Mammoth WVH[34] |
|
12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 53 | 91 | 15 | 18 | — | 2 |
| Mammoth II |
|
29 | 6 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 9 | 4 | 76 | 2 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Main. [35] |
US Rock [36] |
US Bub. [37] |
US Hard Digi. | US Hard Rock | CZE Rock [38] | ||||||
| "Distance" | 2020 | 1 | 9 | 25 | 1 | 1 | — | Mammoth WVH | |||
| "Don't Back Down" | 2021 | 1 | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | ||||
| "Epiphany" | 9 | — | — | — | 25 | — | |||||
| "Another Celebration at the End of the World" | 2023 | 7 | — | — | 18 | — | — | Mammoth II | |||
| "I'm Alright" | 5 | — | — | 19 | 17 | — | |||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
Promotional singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hard Digi. | CZE Rock [38] | ||||||||||
| "You're to Blame" | 2021 | 8 | — | Mammoth WVH | |||||||
| "Think It Over" | — | 2 | |||||||||
| "Feel" | — | — | |||||||||
| "Mammoth" | — | — | |||||||||
| "Talk & Walk" | 2022 | — | — | ||||||||
| "Goodbye" | 24 | — | |||||||||
| "Like a Pastime" | 2023 | — | — | Mammoth II | |||||||
| "Take a Bow" | — | — | |||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
Music videos
edit| Title | Year | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Distance" | 2020 | Chuck Brueckmann | Mammoth WVH |
| "Don't Back Down" | 2021 | Unknown | |
| "Epiphany" | 2022 | from live footage broadcast | |
| "Another Celebration at the End of the World" | 2023 | Gordy De St. Jeor | Mammoth II |
| "I'm Alright" |
References
edit- ^ a b "Wolfgang van Halen forges his own musical path on Mammoth WVH's debut album: Review". June 11, 2021.
- ^ EX1 Records (2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen/Mammoth WVH". EX1 Records. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Senich, Eric (March 28, 2021). "'This Kid is Dangerous!': When Eddie Van Halen Predicted Son Wolfgang's Future Success". Van Halen News Desk. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ VHND (February 13, 2015). "Video: Eddie Van Halen Shares his Musical Journey at Smithsonian Event (Video)". Van Halen News Desk. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Prato, Greg (June 9, 2021). "Wolfgang van Halen : Songwriter Interviews". Song Facts. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "Van Halen Member Finally Leaks New Album Details". Alternative Nation. June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Daly, Rhian (February 12, 2021). "Watch Wolfgang Van Halen play solo song 'Distance' in tribute to dad Eddie". NME. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ Blabbermouth.net (February 11, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Announces MAMMOTH WVH Album Details". Blabbermouth. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (June 9, 2021). "Wolfgang van Halen Paves His Own Path on 'Therapeutic' Debut Album: 'I'm My Own Person'". People Magazine. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Price, Deborah Evans (June 11, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen on Forging His Own Musical Identity With 'Mammoth WVH'". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Taylor, Sydney (June 11, 2021). "Mammoth WVH – Mammoth WVH". Brave Words. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ Houghton, Harley (June 18, 2021). "REVIEW: Wolfgang Van Halen Forging His Own Path with Mammoth WVH Self-titled Debut Album". Music Talkers. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Altaf, Rodrigo (June 11, 2021). "Mammoth WVH – Mammoth WVH (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Hicks, Tony (June 8, 2021). "Review: Does Wolfgang Van Halen's 'Mammoth WVH' live up to lofty expectations?". Riff Magazine. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Hadusek, Jon (June 11, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Forges His Own Musical Path on Mammoth WVH's Self-Titled Debut: Review". Consequence Heavy. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ Wilkening, Matthew (June 9, 2021). "Mammoth WVH, 'Mammoth WVH': Album Review". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Fielder, Hugh (June 14, 2021). "Mammoth WVH's debut album is high-tech, energetic, relentless and thrilling". Louder Sound. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Spiller, Gary (June 7, 2021). "Album Review : Mammoth WVH". Metal Planet Music. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Sam Roche (February 22, 2022). "Mammoth WVH debut unreleased track during the opening show of their Young Guns tour with Dirty Honey". guitarworld. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ DiVita, Joe (January 12, 2022). "Mammoth WVH + Dirty Honey Announce Rescheduled Tour Dates". Loudwire. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "Wolfgang Van Halen Hopes To Record Second Mammoth WVH Album This Year: 'I'm Very Ready To Get Back In The Studio'". Blabbermouth.net. February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ "Wolfgang Van Halen To Begin Recording Second Mammoth WVH Album Today". Blabbermouth.net. October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ "Mammoth Van Halen Has Already Done Some 'Preliminary' Work On Mammoth WVH's Third Album". Blabbermouth.net. October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ Lifton, Dave (February 5, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Reveals Track Listing for Mammoth WVH Debut". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Chart: Week of June 26, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- Mammoth II: "Billboard 200: Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Independent Albums Chart: Week of June 26, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- Mammoth II: "Independent Albums: Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Hard Rock Albums Chart: Week of June 26, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- Mammoth II: "Top Hard Rock Albums: Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Top Rock Albums Chart: Week of June 26, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- Mammoth II: "Top Rock Albums: Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums Chart: Week of June 26, 2021". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "Discografie Mammoth WVH". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Discography Mammoth WVH". Official Charts. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 11 August 2023 – 17 August 2023". Official Charts. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- ^ "Mammoth WVH" (select "Charts" tab). swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ a b "Discography Mammoth WVH". Official Charts. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- ^ Hiatt, Brian (February 11, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Previews Debut Album 'Mammoth WVH'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Peaks on the Mainstream Rock chart:
- "Distance": "Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- "Don't Back Down": "Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- "Epiphany": "Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- Another Celebration At the End of the World: "Mainstream Rock Airplay: Week of June 24, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- "I'm Alright": "Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "Mammoth WVH: CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock". hitparada.ifpicr.cz. Retrieved August 7, 2023.