10 Recent Hard Rock Albums You Should Listen To Right Now

Family legacies can be tough to escape. When the shadow cast is as wide as that of Eddie Van Halen, it becomes almost impossible. Despite that, Wolfgang Van Halen has consistently proven himself as a tremendous musician in his own right. And his first solo album only solidified the fact that, while his late, great father will always be a massive influence, he is his own man.

Mammoth WVH certainly retains elements of the classic Van Halen formula, but the junior Van Halen makes sure it’s only there to supplement his own musical brilliance. The album opens with a barrage of tapped guitar solos in “Mr. Ed”, something made famous by Eddie way back in his day. However, make no mistake, this is a tribute and not an attempt at cashing in on nostalgia.

“Circles” will then take you on a prog-inspired journey, while the riffs on “Don’t Back Down” are perfect for stirring up a good old fashioned rock 'n' roll frenzy. Given the diversity on offer, it’s hard to remember that WVH is basically doing most of the playing by himself. His musical mastery is on full display all throughout the album, especially on the guitars. All and all, Mammoth WVH is an excellent showcase of how the Van Halen name continues to light the way for rock.