Mammoth WVH and special guest Nita Strauss set Toad’s Place ablaze in New Haven, CT with a sold-out, electrifying show.
The Mammoth II Tour rolled into New Haven, CT, just one stop away from wrapping up their first leg. Originally, there were show dates scheduled for Pittsburgh, PA, Charles Town, WV, and Albany, NY, however, those dates have been rescheduled for late July 2024.
As we arrived at Toad’s Place, just as doors were opening for fans to pile in, anticipation hung thick in the air, charged with the promise of awesome rock guitar solos that would echo through the night. The scene inside Toad’s Place defied the usual trickle of fans you’d expect at the outset of a show. Instead, there was a buzz in the air, an anticipation that crackled with excitement. These weren’t just casual concertgoers; they were devotees, keenly attuned to the imminent eruption of sound about to engulf the venue. As the minutes ticked by, the crowd’s energy surged, poised not only for Mammoth WVH‘s arrival but also for Nita Strauss to ignite the stage and set the tone for what promised to be an epic rock spectacle.
Toad’s Place is known for its intimate setting. There really isn’t a bad view in the entire house. Those who made their way to the barricade were in for a real up close and personal experience with the bands. As the clock struck 8 PM, the ambient house music faded into silence, signaling the imminent start of an electrifying night of music. The once buzzing room, alive with the chatter of friends, erupted into cheers as the stage lights illuminated. The cheers of excitement were quickly overtaken by the thunderous riffs emanating from Nita Strauss and her band as they opened the show with “Summer Storm,” from her 2023 album, The Call of the Void.
Strauss stands as a force in the realms of rock and metal, boasting a career that spans over two decades. Perhaps most notably recognized for her role as lead guitarist for Alice Cooper, her impact extends far beyond her instrumental prowess alone. With an unparalleled ability to captivate audiences, Nita commands the stage with an unrivaled energy that sets her performances apart. Joined on stage with her she had, Johnny Young on guitar, Josh Villalta on the drums, Christopher Dean on bass, Katt Scarlett on keyboards, and Kasey Karlsen on vocals.
The chug of the guitar riffs never waned, and the volume only intensified when Kasey Karlsen took the stage to provide vocals for “Through the Noise,” “Dead Inside,” and to finish off the set, “Victorious,” leaving the room fully charged and energized for Mammoth WVH to take the stage.
Soon, the house lights dimmed again AC/DCs “Night Prowler” faded into the opening notes of “I’m Alright” as Mammoth took the stage. Jon Jourdan on guitar, Ronnie Ficarro on bass, Garrett Whitlock on drums, and, of course, the powerhouse Wolfgang Van Halen were met with a sold-out crowd with their metal horns in the air and recording devices at the ready. Notably absent this time was Frank Sidoris, currently on tour with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.Van Halen, seemed genuinely surprised at the turnout of the show, pausing several times during the set to gaze out at the enthusiastic crowd, his smile infectious. He even quipped at one point, “There’s even people behind the wall over there. Hello, people behind the wall.”
There was a healthy mix of songs from Mammoth WVH and Mammoth II. Midway through the set, Van Halen took a more relaxed approach. As the other band members left the stage, he traded his electric guitar for an acoustic one. With the lights dimming to a single warm spotlight on him, a hushed anticipation filled the venue. Setting a playful tone, Van Halen jokingly strummed the opening chords of Oasis’ “Wonderwall.” Then, with heartfelt sincerity, he transitioned into a stunning acoustic rendition of “Distance,” captivating listeners and proving just how deeply talented he is.
The night wrapped up with an encore of “Another Celebration at the End of the World” and “Don’t Back Down.”
If you missed seeing Mammoth on this leg of the tour, you will have another chance to see them play for their second US leg beginning May 04, 2024, in Bethlehem, PA. They head overseas at the end of March to join Sidoris on the Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators on The River is Rising Tour.
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