According to Wolfgang Van Halen, his father, iconic guitarist Eddie Van Halen, was also a MESHUGGAH fan
VAN HALEN legend Eddie Van Halen had a surprising appreciation for Swedish tech-metal outfit MESHUGGAH, as revealed by his son Wolfgang Van Halen in a recent Prog interview.
“My dad approved of them,” the 33-year-old Wolfgang said of the Swedish “djent” masters.
Wolfgang also added that drummer, Tomas Haake, particularly impressed Eddie with his complex playing. “I remember his joke when I showed him the video to ‘Bleed‘. He said, ‘The drummer better be paid the most! He’s working way harder than anybody else in the band!’”
On a lighter note, Wolfgang also mentioned getting his uncle Patrick, actress Valerie Bertinelli‘s brother, hooked on the extreme metal band. “Late ’22, we took a break from recording [2023 MAMMOTH WVH album] “Mammoth II” because Meshuggah were in town at the [Hollywood] Palladium,” he said. “We luckily got this cool balcony spot and I got to bring my Uncle Patrick, who was not a fan at all. Every time I played him Meshuggah, he’d be like, ‘I don’t get it.’
“When I brought him to the show, he understood. After seeing it, he was like, ‘Holy shit! I get it now!’”
Wolfgang is such a massive fan of the Swedish metal act that he even had his wedding playlist include tracks from the band when he married his fiancée Andraia Allsop last October.
Van Halen explained: They’re very progressive metal, I think to anybody, to the non-informed crowd though, it would probably just sound like death metal. Anyone over 40 will be terrified. But you know what? It’s my wedding and I’ll do whatever I want.”
Back in November 2022, Wolfgang Van Halen told TellUs Rock that he frequently listens to the Swedish metal act in his spare time, citing them as one of his favorite bands. “I love MESHUGGAH,” he said. “I tend to listen to, at least recently, more heavier music. Like all the new stuff that’s come out. ANIMALS AS LEADERS had a new album come out this year, and so did MESHUGGAH. But MESHUGGAH is one of my favorite bands. [They’re] nothing like MAMMOTH.”
When asked what kind of stuff he draws musical inspiration from for MAMMOTH WVH, Wolfgang said: “On the next album, there actually is some MESHUGGAH-inspired songs — just through the lens of MAMMOTH, though. So it’s not as super heavy.”
Wolfgang Van Halen has not only demonstrated his vast musical prowess but also his eclectic taste in music. In a revealing interview with Primordial Radio, he expressed his deep appreciation for the extreme Swedish metal band, citing their music as a source of relaxation, even to the point of being able to fall asleep while listening to it.
“If you’re familiar with MESHUGGAH, you probably know the song ‘Bleed’.
“MESHUGGAH is just one of my favorite bands,” he continued. “They are unbelievably heavy — there’s nothing heavier than them — but you get lulled into their rhythm. As a drummer first, I just am in love with rhythmic music, and there’s nothing more rhythmic than MESHUGGAH.
“After hearing [‘Bleed’], you probably couldn’t fall asleep to that, but, man, I could, ’cause I love it,” he added.
Masters of the Polyrhythmic Groove
Hailing from Sweden, MESHUGGAH isn’t your typical heavy metal band. Pioneering a genre known as “djent,” they’ve carved a unique niche with their complex, polyrhythmic soundscapes. Formed in the late 80s, they started with a more traditional death metal sound, but by the mid-90s, their music evolved.
The group’s signature sound is built on unconventional time signatures, often utilizing odd meters like 8/8 and 7/8. Their guitarist, Fredrik Thordendal, crafts intricate riffs that weave and intertwine, creating a hypnotic groove. Drummer Tomas Haake‘s powerful and technical style pushes the boundaries of rhythmic complexity. Vocalist Jens Kidman‘s guttural growls perfectly complement the music’s intensity.
The group’s influence extends far beyond metal. Their innovative approach has inspired artists across genres, from progressive rock to mathcore. With a dedicated fanbase and constant evolution, the band remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of heavy music.
Wolfgang Van Halen: Carving His Own Path
Wolfgang, born in 1991, is a talented musician in his own right, carving his own path in the rock world.
His musical journey began early, nurtured by his iconic father. He honed his skills on bass and guitar, eventually joining his father’s band as bassist at just 15. This marked a new chapter for VAN HALEN, with Wolfgang‘s youthful energy complementing his father’s virtuosity.
Following Eddie Van Halen‘s passing in 2020, Wolfgang embarked on his own project, MAMMOTH WVH. This hard rock outfit allows him to showcase his diverse musical influences, blending classic rock with modern sounds. Their debut album, released in 2021, received positive reviews, and Wolfgang‘s impressive vocals and songwriting skills were praised.
Beyond music, Wolfgang has become a spokesperson for a more inclusive rock scene. He’s spoken out against the genre’s stereotypical image and the pressure to conform to outdated expectations.
