Michigan weather has its own attitude and it doesn’t care. Tuesday here in the great lakes state it was 72 degrees on Tuesday, here comes the tude part on Wednesday it was a whopping 29 degrees. Inside the historic Saint Andrews Hall in downtown Detroit the heat was back with a vengeance. Mammoth WVH and Nita Strauss lit the place up in front of a packed house from young to old and even the first timers the intimate 1,000 seat setting was ready to explode. Having covered Mammoth now for the 3rd time and Nita now my second time I knew what was ahead of me, some face melting ass kicking rock and roll. Opening up the evening was the very talented, guitar shredding, female BADASS guitar player from Detroit’s own Alice Cooper Nita Strauss who was greeted with some loud roars. If you never seen Nita live, then I’m sorry for you. There are some amazing guitar players out there and then there are the BADASS’S out there. Nita falls under Badass with the likes of LZZY HALE, Lita Ford, Orianthi, Eddie Van Halen, and the ultimate Badass on guitar Joe Bonamassa.
Opening up her set with “Summer Storm” and “Our most Desperate Hour” both displaying heavy shreds along with some attitude only Nita can proudly bring on any given night. After her second song Nita took a moment and greeted the Detroit crowd asking them how everyone was doing mentioning Detroit is like my second home, you know my boss is from Detroit, you know Alice Cooper which followed with loud cheers. Joining in on the set Nita’s female touring vocalist Kasey Karlsen (DEADLANDS) who kicked things up a notch so much energy to go around, damn that was good. The highlight of the set was the track “The Wolf You Feed” off of Nita’s latest album “The Call of the Void” with Alissa White-Gluz.
Insert goosebumps here with another track “Dead Inside” which hit #1 on rock radio is just a fantastic jam. The album is a total banger featuring guest vocals from the likes of LZZY HALE, LILITH CZAR and one of the best vocals in the business DAVID DRAIMAN from Disturbed. The 40-minute set was a rock and heavy metal rocker’s dream come true. With any luck I’ll be checking out Nita Strauss and her boss Alice Cooper once again on August 30th here in Michigan at Pine Knob music Theatre for the Freaks On Parade Tour. If its anything like last year tour with Rob Zombie make sure you have your neck brace and Motrin’s handy for the next morning you’re going to need them.
The 20-minute break couldn’t have come at a better time. The merch lines were long and filled with joy all the Mammoth shirts were proudly on display throughout the venue, the crowd was ready for Mammoth, it was time to let it rip. The set kicks off with “I’m Alright” off his Mammoth II album which is out now. The multiple talented instrumental rocker had the place jumping right out of the gates. Wolfgang Van Halen is certainly paving his own path the way he wants it, and his fans welcome it with open arms. The family genes of guitar shredding, and guitar knowledge are incredible, I mean come on he had the greatest guitar play ever teaching him along the way. The future for Wolfgang Van Halen has no limits, strap in and come along for the ride. A track from the 15-song set that hit home was “Think it Over” a favorite of his legendary dad Eddie Van Halen. Eddie loved the energy from the track and that made him very happy.
Throughout the night Wolfgang Vann Halen showed why he is a technician on the guitar with tracks like “Epihany” and “Optimist” which took the crowd to that frenzy status only to dazzle the venue with an acoustic track “Distance” the track quickly became a hit worldwide. As we all know the inspiration for the song came from personal tragedy he faced the loss of his dad. The 1,000 cozy seat venue shared the special moment along with Wolfgang a special moment indeed. Songs of note from the set “Take A Bow” featuring a guitar rip solo that had the place in awe including me loaded with some blazing finger tapping and seven minutes worth of purity. The 90-minute set ended with “Don’t Back Down” all I can say about this song is to simply get in your car and find a back road and just crank it up with the windows down and the sun in your face talk about a body and mind cleanse. If this song isn’t part of your playlist, then you shouldn’t own a setlist.
Mammoth will be touring throughout the year joining CREED on two dates in Montreal and Toronto in November that will be epic show to see. If you live in these two cities, please don’t hesitate and get your tickets now trust me on this. Detroit was treated with two amazing artist and Detroit rock city thanks you for coming.
Mammoth WVH Rocks Saint Andrews Hall Wednesday night
