Wolfgang Van Halen’s childhood was steeped in rock royalty, however nowadays he’s the one safeguarding the magic. The 34-year-old musician, who recorded Mammoth’s third album, The Finish, within the legendary 5150 studio, says defending the house is now a lifelong duty.

“I stay in my childhood dwelling now, so the studio’s proper there,” the younger Van Halen tells Traditional Rock. “Yeah, I really feel very protecting over 5150. It’s what I want to observe and defend, for the remainder of my life now.”

The studio, immortalised by way of numerous Van Halen information, has turn into Wolfgang’s personal artistic haven. Right here, he sings and performs each instrument on Mammoth’s newest launch, merging brooding 90s grunge influences with metallic heft and melodic pop sensibilities.

However the legacy of his father, Eddie Van Halen, often shines by way of – most vividly on the album’s title monitor, which kicks off with a 40-second tapping solo paying homage to Eddie’s iconic strikes in Scorching For Instructor.

Wolfgang additionally retains intimate reminders of his father shut: the phrases “play play,” written in crimson and blue on his proper arm, had been transferred from a Christmas card and function a everlasting life lesson.

“He was fooling around, and he wrote it with each markers to nearly make it like a 3D impact,” says Wolfgang. “I simply use it as sort of a life lesson, in order that if I’m taking part in guitar I can all the time see that, simply to verify I maintain following it.”

Offstage, the pressures of life in a Van Halen family are nonetheless felt. Whereas en path to assist Metallica on their 2024 M72 World Tour, Wolfgang says he skilled a panic assault on the aircraft to Mexico Metropolis.

“I’ve by no means in my life been freezing however fully drenched in sweat,” he remembers. “It fucked me up. It felt prefer it was without end, but it surely was in all probability a couple of 10-minute factor. In hindsight it’s hilarious, however throughout, very traumatic.”

“I assume I’m my hardest critic,” the musician provides. “Since I used to be 14, rising up below scrutiny, I believe which may have so much to do with it. I’ve been to remedy, I’m medicated, all of that. It’s nearly working by way of it and being comfy in your self – not needing approval from others.”