Mammoth Tour Launches with Thrilling Performance for Sold-Out Buffalo Crowd

28 minutes ago
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Mammoth are back in support of their brand-new album, The End. Their show at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY marks not only the first date of their tour, but also the first time I've seen them as a headliner.

In the last few years, I've been fortunate to catch this band as a support act on a few occasions. First, with Alter Bridge and Sevendust. Later, with Metallica on the 72 Seasons tour. This show stood out, and it's my opinion that it had nothing to do with their place on the bill.

On this night, the opener was James and the Cold Gun. I've never heard of them before this tour and their set was fun and energetic. To be fair, I knew none of their music, but I'll make a point as I often do to check them out shortly. A live set is always a great introduction to new music.

James and the Cold Gun opening up the show at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY

Next up was 10 Years. Here's another band I've had passive exposure to over the years. This is at least the third time or so that I've seen them live. The first time being on a tour with Breaking Benjamin and Smile Empty Soul back in 2006. Looking back, that was an incredible tour. More recently, I caught them on the lineup at Rock on the Range (now Sonic Temple) in Columbus, Ohio back in 2018, where they performed early on the main stage to massive fan faire.

It's not hard to see how a band likes this gathers such a following. They opened their set with "Novocain" from their 2018 release (How to Live) as Ghosts. Other hits included "Fix Me" and a great rendition of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box" before performing their smash hit "Wasteland."

This was a fun set and I was looking forward to catching 10 Years on this tour. They definitely rounded out a great lineup and had this crowd ready to go by the time Mammoth WVH took the stage.

*10 Years' Jesse Hasek performing in Buffalo, NY*

In years past, the band has performed a in a tight, catchy and straight-ahead hard rock style that's been genuinely fun to experience. This time around, however, there was just something more. From what I saw, this band began with Wolfgang Van Halen out there to prove himself. He went out of his way to avoid direct comparison to his father. In doing so, it always seemed like he was holding something back. Not anymore! From the moment they opened the show up with "One of a Kind," it was plain to see that this band was taking it to eleven tonight.

Things only escalated when they performed "Another Celebration at the End of the World." When Wolf ripped into the guitar solo, he had the entire building in his hand. There was plenty of mind-blowing music to come, including the live debut of "Something New."

Wolfgang Van Halen and Mammoth have been fairly prolific in these last few years, releasing three albums already and no sign of slowing down. I have to wonder if this the last time I'll see them in a venue this small. One thing is for sure, I do hope I get another chance to catch them on this tour!

The tour is just beginning, so be sure to check the dates and don't sleep on tickets if they're coming to town. This show was completely sold out!