ALBUM REVIEW: The End – Mammoth
MAMMOTH is back with his third record The End. A solo project created by Wolfgang Van Halen, the album, much like its predecessors, is entirely written and recorded entirely by Wolfgang with the goal this time around to create something bigger and better than ever. A feat that one could easily fall short of, but not in the case of Van Halen who has created something filled with songs of high energy and charisma that will get you as pumped.
Opening things up is One Of A Kind, that opens with acoustic guitar and slow drums, setting the stage for something of the low, moody variety, but you know there’s going to be a loud pay off. And when it hits, we’re treated to an infectious high energy song consisting of a bouncy composition that you can’t help but bop your head along to, especially when we get to the anthemic choruses. And of course, no he had to include a solid guitar solo to bring everything together. The energy continues into the title track that you can tell would bring an enthusiastic response in a live setting when we open on an electric guitar composition that goes in many directions where it’s impossible not to be impressed. A strong intro to a solid song, and a strong start to a solid record.
Sound wise, the album mainly focuses on rock n roll, alternative, and even some 90s rock inspired sounds, with the latter heard on Happy that infuses acoustic guitar with chill rock that one can sway to. While the energy never lets up, you’d be mistaken in thinking that each song would sound the same. One moment we’re in anthemic rock territory that sounds cool and badass, feelgood even, as heard on Same Old Song; the next we’re experiencing darker sounds on I Really Wanna that acts as an intense love song of sorts with some rather telling lyrics; pure fast and fun rock as heard on Selfish; before concluding on, relatively, chill alternative rock as heard on final song All In Good Time.
The main part of the record to criticise is Something New that, while in the category of highly energetic rock, it’s not as much as a standout as the other songs on the record. But that’s easily forgiven and frankly forgotten when you compare it the grand scope of the record itself.
Anthemic, high in energy, fun, there’s not much else one could ask for when it comes to a rock record that’s meant to sound larger than life and get you pumped for the day, whether for a huge life event or even just tackling everyday tasks. This record will help get you through it.
Rating: 7/10
The End is out now via BMG.
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