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If you had any doubts about Van Halen 2012 or ADKOT
...and don't say you didn't...We all "wondered".
Can they still do it?
Will it be good?
Will it have that Classic VH sound?
The Wolfgang factor...
Here's my "dont give a fuck what any other person on earth thinks" opinion...
The Cafe Wha? show...magical. No frills, no way to "make it sound better", just in your face Van Halen from start to finish and they fucking nailed it to the wall with a railroad spike!!! The Wolfgang detractors ate their words and smiled after the kids thumping that night. He's got serious licks, has and is handling the background vocals better than, I think, anyone could have hoped for or expected.
After hearing some full tracks and the 15 second clips of the rest, I am completely and unbelievably blown away at what I've heard. Honestly, the heaviness of some it has come as a welcomed surprise. Leading off with Tattoo...say what you want, may have been the mistake of pure genius. First listen, I didnt care for it. But, like most...it grew on me and now I love it. The haters created an instant buzz of fan tension...tension which, created MORE interest in what else was to follow. Tattoo is released and then there is some time to let it all sink in....we dissected it! The lyrics, how great Dave sounds, Wolfgang, Eddie, synth filler, all of it....hell, that's what we do here...
Yesterday, we get to hear Blood and Fire and The Trouble with Never...both of which, I think, are far better works than Tattoo. The lyrics in Blood and Fire made my hair stand up...seriously...when Dave sang "Told ya I was comin' back...say ya missed me...say it like ya mean it" you all, like me, probably got a lump in your throat. That line, in and of it self, captured every feeling that I've harbored for this band since April 1, 1985. It alone, erased 28 years of anxiety, tension, hatred and most of all...simply waiting for exactly that to happen. It is, the single greatest statement of band unity that their could be...It says "THIS is Van Halen!"
Ed's solo on Blood and Fire...need I say more?
There wasn't much "Edward" on Tattoo...and then you hear that shredtastic piece in Blood and Fire...first thought, "Holy shit, Eddie...welcome the fuck back!"
The Trouble with Never...Wolfgang pounds through this tune. Any question of background vocals? Not anymore...they're there and they're good. Eddie...again...shreadalicious...
Daves vocals are spot on spectacular in every track I've heard...his lyrics so far...are the stuff on instant classics!
90 second clip of Chinatown....hello, McFly...anybody home...think McFly, think...Welcome, Mr. Alex Van Halen joined by his brother, The Crunch Master, Mr. Edward Van Halen...just 90 seconds of that song made my zipper swell...
I'm convinced on all fronts...
Are they back? Fuck yeah, they are...screamin like the locomotive on the cover!!
Will it be good? 4 full tracks heard out of 13....and there is no question!
Will it have that Classic VH sound? Buddy, it's got all that and then some!
The Wolfgang Factor? Exactly...what Wolfgang factor...
Bring on February 7th...VAN HALEN is fucking back!!
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