Mammoth WVH at O2 Academy
Mammoth WVH played their second ever UK headliner on Tuesday 9th July, a sold-out show at the O2 Academy Islington, supported by The Dust Coda.
The Dust Coda’s rich, indulgent guitar solos set the tone for Mammoth WVH’s headline set: both modern re-interpretations of the energy, intricacy, and enthusiasm of classic anthem rock, championing the guitar. Fans of AC/DC, KISS, and the Kris Barras Band may enjoy The Dust Coda.
A genuine excitement for Mammoth WVH’s headline show could be felt in the crowd, their setlist including hits from their first album such as ‘You’re To Blame’, ‘Epiphany’ and ‘Don’t Back Down’, as well as ‘Right?’, ‘Another Celebration at the End of the World’ and lesser-played tracks from their second album. Mammoth WVH is the work of Wolfgang Van Halen, brought to the stage with the help of his touring band.
Wolfgang’s powerful and emotive voice on ‘Distance’ was joined by a room packed with fans providing spontaneous backing vocals, with many in the audience brought to tears. The combined musical talents of Mammoth WVH’s live band produced a richness of sound that paralleled that of the studio recordings, their subtle harmonies and chemistry as a unit bringing an added depth and electricity to their performance.
During ‘Think It Over’, Wolfgang paid tribute to his dad’s favourite of Mammoth WVH’s songs. His musical heritage was evident in his flowing, elaborate writing. The deployment of tapping in ‘Take a Bow’, a technique brought to fame by Eddie Van Halen, was made Wolfgang’s own in this performance.
Mammoth WVH appeals to rock fans across sub-genres, although perhaps most to those deeply invested in musicianship and music history’s past and future. With Mammoth WVH III rumoured to be in the works already, the possibility of attending future dates is not one to miss out on.
