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Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang Van Halen has revealed to Prog magazine that his father was an admirer of Swedish tech metal giants Meshuggah, adding a new dimension to the guitar legend’s musical tastes. The young Van Halen, leader of the band Mammoth WVH, said his father appreciated the band’s complexity, particularly the virtuosity of Meshuggah drummer Tomas Haake.
Wolfgang recounted his father’s reaction when he heard Meshuggah’s title track, Bleed, humorously stating: “The drummer had better be the highest paid! He works a lot harder than anyone else in the group”. This revelation highlights the diversity of Eddie Van Halen’s musical palette, showing that he appreciated the subtleties of modern metal.
Additionally, Wolfgang Van Halen extended his influence beyond his immediate family, introducing his uncle Patrick to Meshuggah’s music at a concert. Initially skeptical, his uncle’s perception changed dramatically after witnessing Meshuggah’s performance, echoing Wolfgang’s sentiment that Meshuggah concerts are of unparalleled intensity and technical prowess.
The youngest Van Halen has long been a staunch advocate of Meshuggah’s music, citing their rhythmic complexity as a major influence on his own musical journey. Drawing parallels between Meshuggah’s relentless rhythms and the primal intensity of dinosaur battles, Wolfgang’s admiration for the band’s sonic innovation is palpable.
