Wolfgang Van Halen has released his third album with Mammoth, titled *The End*. This album features guitar solos that focus on melody rather than flashy techniques. Wolfgang learned this approach from his late father, Eddie Van Halen, who believed that the best solos are the ones people can sing along to.
“I tend to compose my solos,” Wolfgang shared. “I like writing them almost like little songs or movements. It’s fun to have shreddiness, but the melody has to come first.” He echoes his dad’s sentiment that the best solos are those you can hum.
One standout track, “Same Old Song,” showcases what might be his best solo yet. Wolfgang spends hours looping chord progressions to find the perfect notes. Another track, “Happy,” draws inspiration from Alice In Chains, featuring a solo that nods to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” This solo follows the vocal melody with a modulated effect reminiscent of the 1991 hit.
Wolfgang has praised Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains for his unique style, which he describes as having a magical dissonance. This influence is evident throughout the album.
His 2023 record, *Mammoth II*, includes “Take A Bow,” which uses a similar method to build its solo through different sections. Other tracks like “I Really Wanna,” “Better Off,” and “The End” lean more towards spontaneous creation.
To set himself apart from his father, Wolfgang usually avoids the whammy bar. He prefers semi-hollow guitars and different techniques. The only whammy bar moment on the album is at the start of the solo in “Selfish.” The title track features Eddie Van Halen’s iconic Frankenstein guitar, which Wolfgang has used in previous recordings.
*The End* is available on streaming platforms and for purchase.
