Mammoth WVH - Mammoth WVH

Mammoth WVH is the self-titled debut album by Mammoth WVH.  The band consists of one member - Wolfgang Van Halen (hence the WVH) who plays all the instruments on the record. So, vocals, guitar, drums and bass.  Bit like Dave Grohl did on the first Foo Fighters record.  Although this is Wolfgang's first album with his band; Previously he appeared on a Van Halen album "A different kind of Truth" in 2011 on bass as well as playing bass with Van Halen on tour.  He has also played bass on tour with Tremonti.  So, he has had plenty of time learning and honing his skills with people and bands who in Van Halen's case are a huge band and in Tremonti's case, he shared the stage with arguably one of the most talented guitarists in his generation (Mark Tremonti).
 
This album has been 6 years in the making as Wolfgang started to record the album in 2015 and finished it in 2019. But at the same time, he was playing with Van Halen until the band disbanded in 2020 due to his Dad's death.  Later in 2020 the first single was released from this album called "Distance".  I caught on to this track as it came out and really was impressed with it.  The vocals and the guitar were amazing.  Such a sweeping, anthemic song.  Ever since its release Wolfgang has had to face comparisons to his dad and he reacts to those people quite publicly on social media.  But as the singles came out such as "You're to blame" and "Think it over" it was clear to me that Wolfgang was doing his own thing here.  I do think the likes of his dad and Mark Tremonti were influences not surprisingly having toured, recorded with those bands.  But everyone has their influences.
 
So, I was quite excited for this album coming out.  I have now listened to the album through 4 or 5 times and I am left slightly disappointed with it.  There is no doubt to me that the songs are good, and Wolfgang deserves to be talked about in his own right. He deserves his place in the spotlight rather than "Being the guy who had a famous Dad".  But the reason I am slightly disappointed is not because the songs aren't good, it's just they all sound the same.  They all seem to follow the same formula.  With the singing, all the vocals are delivered in the same way.  Sure, the guitar work shows off his potential and there are some nice solos on here.  But more variety would be welcome. And I don't mean he needs to go off genre hoping between songs like Wolf Alice.  When I listen to albums this year by the likes of the Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Greta Van Fleet, Royal Blood and Mason Hill etc.  These albums offer so much more in terms of pace and temp changes and really taking you on a journey.

 Overall, I say this is not a bad album by any means.  But for me it's too much of the same. I really think Wolfgang would benefit getting more band members to help him out to be more creative in the song writing department.  But listening to the singles as one-off songs its clear he is very talented and has an exciting future ahead of him.