During a recent interview with Total Guitar, Wolfgang Van Halen offered an update on the new Mammoth WVH album. According to him, the effort is “almost finished.”

Wolfgang said the following about the album and his ability to take on all of the parts himself:

“Yeah, I’ve almost finished it! Some people try to turn me playing everything into a negative thing, which surprises me. It’s like they think I won’t let other people play on it or something like that. But really this is what Mammoth is and always has been; it’s my artistic expression.

I’ve been in bands before where you collaborate and that’s not what this is. I have a live band, but in the studio I do everything and have a fun time doing it. I enjoy being able to express myself musically in every avenue.”

He also added the following about the effort’s sound:

“It will always sound a bit similar, I guess, because the same dude is writing it. But I think on this current material, you can hear me challenging myself a bit more. I’ve gotten more confident and I know what the project is now, rather than trying to figure out what it was from the start, like on the first one.

On the debut there was this width of what the project was — on the left you had songs like ‘Distance’ and ‘Circles’, those softer vibes, and on the right you had tracks like ‘Stone’ and ‘The Big Picture’. In the middle, there were songs like ‘Mammoth’ or ‘Epiphany’ and stuff like that. What I want to do with this album is widen what that breadth is. Further left, for example, there’s a song that’s all on piano… so it has more of a softer vibe. But on the right, there’s some really heavy shit in comparison to the debut. That’s what I find really exciting. It’s fun to stretch the definition of Mammoth on both sides.”

During a recent interview with Overdrive, Wolfgang Van Halen offered an update on the new Mammoth WVH album. He says that he has “already recorded the bulk” of the effort.

Wolfgang said the following:

“I’ve already recorded the bulk of the next album. The plan was to just focus, and try to do the best that I can do. After all, that’s what made the first album work, so I’m looking to try to capture that ethos again for the follow-up. Basically, I just write music that follows my heart, and my tastes, and ultimately, music that makes me happy.”

He also added the following about the recording process:

“I need to go home and do the vocals and the guitar solos. I am recording this album totally on my own, like I did with the debut. I know it may come across as selfish [laughs], but that’s just the way that it works for me. I like to completely immersive myself in the music — in all aspects of it. I think a lot of people have tried to turn it into something else, saying things like, ‘Oh it’s because he doesn’t want to pay other musicians,’ and it’s not that at all. This is just something for me. It’s a sacred experience for me. It’s my project, and an artistic outlet for me and my mental well-being. I’m so luck that I have this incredible live band that just slays live, so I get to bring this creation to life on stage. I suppose, it’s kind of like NINE INCH NAILS, in the way that Trent Reznor creates all the music, records it, produces it, et cetera, and then he has this band that can bring it to life when needed. I’m not comparing myself to Trent, but it’s more the interesting duality to this approach, which is so much fun, and deeply satisfying.”

During a recent interview with Metal Talk, Wolfgang Van Halen offered an update on the new Mammoth WVH album. He said the following:

“I’m about halfway through [the recording process]. I got a bunch of stuff recorded before we started on this tour. And then once I go home, I’ll have a little holiday break, but then in January I’m gonna finish it. So it’ll be ready to be released some time next year.”

[via Blabbermouth]

Wolfgang Van Halen has offered an update on the new Mammoth WVH album. The musician says he has already finished tracking drums for the effort.

Wolfgang Van Halen has officially started the recording process for his next Mammoth WVH album. The effort is expected to be released in 2023.

Wolfgang commented yesterday (October 3):

“On December 28th 2014, I was getting ready to start tracking what would become the first Mammoth album. I had been practicing drums in the studio when Pop came in, grabbed my bass and started jamming with me. It was so much fun. It’s little moments like these I feel I took for granted. Moments that I can’t have anymore.

As I’m getting ready to start tracking the 2nd Mammoth album tomorrow (I’ve been in pre-production the past month) I can’t stop thinking about this moment and how he won’t be around for it this time. I’m still not used to it. I don’t know when or if I’ll ever get used to it.

It’ll be 2 years in 3 days and I don’t feel any different. All of these emotions just kinda sitting in me at all times. Sometimes it’s easier to carry, other times (like right now) it isn’t. His pride is what keeps me going, but without him here it’s easy to get lost. Easy to get stuck in my head. Easy to fall into that familiar cycle of doubt and self-loathing.

Somehow, I’ve figured out how to keep going. Music is all I have left when it comes to feeling close to him anymore. But knowing he won’t be here this time to laugh, jam and hang throughout the whole process is tough now that I’ve gotten here. All I can do is try my best and continue to be the son he was proud of.

I just miss my dad.”