The original concept of the guitar was created in the fourteenth and fifteenth century. Since then, countless millions of people have learned to play the instrument and tried to craft their own path with it. In the past few decades, a select few musicians have legitimately stood out and reinvented the guitar like Jimi Hendrix, Tim Henson, and most importantly Eddie Van Halen. With the latter changing the landscape for rock and metal music like no one has ever seen. Eddie also gifted the world with one other musical wonder, that being his son Wolfgang Van Halen. Wolfie has spent his time not only mastering the guitar but honing his skills on every instrument. Releasing his first album Mammoth WVH in 2021 where he wrote and played every note on the album, including singing on it. The album was a commercial success, praised by critics everywhere, and went #1 on multiple charts. He has now released his sophomore album Mammoth II and hit the road on a headlining tour with fellow guitar master Nita Strauss. Coming home to Los Angeles to sell out the Belasco Theatre for the final stop of the tour, fans lined up around the block ready to chant for Wolfie!

Starting the night off with ripping guitar licks was Nita Strauss. Getting first into the limelight as the guitarist for Alice Cooper. It was with her latest solo album The Call of the Void that Nita Strauss really made a name for herself as a phenomenal guitarist and performer. Starting out the set with “Summer Storm” Nita was all smiles and glee as she was ready to perform for her hometown friends. Backed by a band consisting of her fiancé Josh Villalta on drums, Johnny Young on rhythm guitar, Christopher Dean on bass, and Katt Scarlett on keyboards, Nita surrounded herself with fellow musicians that help heighten her skills on the axe. The first half of the show consisted of some of her most popular instrumental tracks like “Our Most Desperate Hour,” “Mariana Trench,” “Alegria,” and “The Quest.” During these songs Nita was playing right to the audience, getting as close as she could. With her ever flowing hair whipping back and forth as she headbangs through the entire show. It’s honestly a miracle her hair doesn’t get knotted or tangled up with how crazy it flies around. The second half of the set, Nita was joined by vocalist Kasey Karlsen of Deadlands. Nita’s brought in a slew of talented guest vocalist in the past like Alissa White-Gluz, David Draiman, and Dorothy. Kasey had big shoes to fill performing these songs live, and she handled them with ease. From roaring like Alissa on “The Wolf You feed,” to singing with a pure ear candy tenor like David on “Dead Inside,” and singing with power and passion like Dorothy on “Victorious.” Nita Strauss continues to build herself as more than just a guitarist, but a musician that can write music for the masses and she delivered in spades. If she is not already, Nita Strauss needs to be talked about in the same breath as Joe Satriani when it comes to the best instrumental solo musicians in the industry. She's that impressive.

As we waited for our headliner to take the stage; a backdrop fell from the ceiling with the Mammoth WVH logo on full display for everyone to see. As this dropped, the crowd cheered for the performer that was to come. The moment was made even more special for fans as Valerie Bertinelli (Wolfie’s mom) peaked out from backstage to wave at the crowd. Finally, the opening notes to “Mammoth” rang out over the speakers, the band was ready to take the stage. Strapped with his custom EVH guitar, Wolfie was ready to perform for his adorning family, friends, and fans. Wolfie has a soothing and pleasant voice that lets him sing in a soulful manner, but he can add grit to it when he really wants to lay into the vocals. He’s not the type of lead singer/guitarist to just sit into playing rhythm, he steps out into the front of the stage and shows he can shred just like his dad. Even with all this talent, Wolfie still knows how to pull back and let the rest of his band shine. Fellow guitarist Frank Sidoris holds his own on guitar swapping between rhythm and lead for each song. While Jon Jourdan helps keep the melody on third guitar. Bassist Ronnie Ficarro is nothing but a showman, as he plays up to the crowd while staying in time with drummer Garrett Whitlock who is lost in the energy of his playing. One of the highlights of the night for me was hearing “Take a Bow” live. The song mostly plays through with a somber feeling, but as we grow towards the solo, Wolfie attacks the guitar with vengeance. Riding the string with melody before unleashing a technical master class of finger picking. The night was a mix of both of Mammoth WVH’s albums with songs like “Right?,” “Miles Above Me,” “Like a Pastime,” “Optimist,” “Stone,” “I’m Alright,” “Epiphany,” “Think it Over, “Distance” played as an acoustic song which made it even more emotional, “Waiting,” “You’re to Blame,” “Feel,” and coming out for a two song encore of “Another Celebration at the End of the World,” and finally “Don’t Back Down.”

With a final bow to the audience, Wolfie showed that he is more than his name. He is a true talented performer through and through. Even if he didn’t have the Van Halen name behind him, I have no doubt he would have made a name for himself in the music industry. The talent he shows over every instrument, his vocal chops, and he is a natural showman, Wolfgang would be playing to venues in no time. None the less, we are happy to see him carrying on his dads legacy and continuing to make him proud.