Mammoth WVH

★★★★ Mammoth WVH EX1. CD/DL/LP

Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang proves that it’s in the blood.

Part-named after Mozart and already a touring member of late-period Van Halen by the age of 16, Wolfgang Van Halen was always primed to shine. The video for his debut single Distance, a tribute to his late father drawing upon touching home-movie footage, has clocked

4.7 million YouTube views, and now comes this audacious debut, a deeply melodic hard rock/grunge album with shades of Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and early Foo Fighters. A small marvel of musical autonomy, it sees Wolf playing and singing every note, his formidable chops across bass, drums and rip-roaring guitar elevating standouts You’re To Blame, Don’t Back Down and You’ll Be The One. Though the name Mammoth – Van Halen’s moniker before they were VH – is a talismanic nod to his father, Wolf has established his own distinct and mighty voice.