Multi-instrumentalist Wolfgang Van Halen is turning the page with “The End”, a new single from his one-man band Mammoth — and his first release since quietly dropping his initials from the project name.
The song arrives alongside a cinematic, Robert Rodriguez-directed video, placing Van Halen in a bar full of vampires, zombies, and a cameoing Slash.
The clip is loosely inspired by Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn and features Danny Trejo reprising his role as a bouncer. There are also two nods to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” — a fitting touch, considering Eddie Van Halen famously performed the guitar solo on that classic song. Van Halen’s mother, Valerie Bertinelli, also makes an appearance.
You can check out the star-studded video below.
Musically, “The End” showcases some of Van Halen’s most technically ambitious work to date, with blistering guitar leads and a bassline that leans into slap-heavy funk. The intro, built around a two-handed tapping riff, immediately evokes memories of his late father.
“I’ve had the tapping idea on the intro for ‘The End’ since before Mammoth,” Van Halen shared in a press release. “I was able to fit it into this world. It’s still over-the-top and shreddy, but it’s also melodic and controlled. Overall, I was doing some different things on the record, and I knew this was going to be a big step. Once we finished ‘The End,’ it felt really special to me.”
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Mammoth WVH last released new music with Mammoth II in 2023. “The End” marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for Van Halen, who has also announced an upcoming US headlining tour with support from Myles Kennedy. The shows add to a packed year of live dates, including support slots for Seether and Creed scheduled throughout May, July, and August.
Mammoth’s “The End” is out now.
