The cavernous industrial mass of the hulking OVO Arena Wembley is not everyone’s first thought of a place to create rock ‘n’ roll nirvana. But its long and storied history has seen some of the biggest and best treads on its North London stage. Tonight saw Mammoth WVH join Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators.
Mammoth WVH
OVO Arena Wembley – 5 April 2024
Words: Paul Monkhouse
Photography: Robert Sutton
The ever-rising Wolfgang Van Halen and has band add some extra spice to the gumbo tonight. Doubtless and rightfully proud of his past and what his father achieved, Wolfgang Van Halen has made huge inroads of his own.
He has gone way beyond the understated label of “Eddie’s son” given him by the doubters, more than proving his own worth numerous times. With his own distinct musical voice and style, the musician has produced two very fine albums.
Given his constant growth in the business, he is aiming for the stars and certainly has the chops to reach those heady heights. As good as his recorded work undoubtedly is, it’s in catching Mammoth WVH play live that we see Wolfgang shine the most, the interaction with his band and the audience filled through with the utter joy of loud guitar.
With a short, six-song set, this was a whistle-stop tour through some cherry-picked highlights from the debut and sophomore albums, an explosive Another Celebration At The End Of The World, a high-octane opener.
With its monster riff, massive hook, and the pounding drums of Garrett Whitlock, Mammoth WVH came out swinging, the energy immediately lighting up every corner of the arena, a focused but smiling Wolfgang leading the charge.
With three guitars onstage, along with the drums and bass, this is a sound big enough to earn their titular epithet, the roaring rush of You’re To Blame and a chunky I’m Alright bringing sky-scraping choruses and a visceral thrill.
While the frontman may be the focus for many, this is a band who have really gelled over the relatively short time they’ve been together. The constant touring unites them as a unit, bringing out a chemistry where each brings their own flavours to numbers originally solely written and performed by Wolfgang.
With its skipping rhythm and crushing breakdown, Like A Pastime shows the innate ability to control dynamics the outfit have, its structure made for huge stages and to be blasted out of car radios alike as the writing and performances smash home the deep well of talent here.
The closing pairing of Take A Bow and Don’t Back Down is a breathless one/two knockout blow, the intricate and punchy interplay between the three guitars a thing of visceral wonder.
With the sort of warmth usually only reserved for headliners, it won’t be long before Mammoth WVH are filling halls like this under their name all over the globe.
You get the feeling that Eddie is looking down at his son, his heart swollen with pride and a huge smile plastered all over his face.
Magnificent.
