First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
Nov 5, 2023
Photos by Brett
Review by Nick
When you walk up to First Avenue, a good 30 minutes after doors open and there’s still a line on both sides of the building of fans waiting to get it .. you know you’re in for something special. MAMMOTH WVH’s first Minnesota headlining show at First Avenue in Minneapolis should be enough to sell tickets. Add in Mammoth supporting their recently released fantastic second record “Mammoth II” and opener Nita Strauss who is also celebrating the release of her second solo record and you got the mathematics of a memorable Sunday night ahead of you.
I finally got to see NITA STRAUSS with her solo band and they did not disappoint. NITA’s set started out with 5 instrumental shredders from both Controlled Chaos and The Call of the Void. Everyone in the band were punishing their instruments. They played hard, it was amazing to see the band so in to it and crushing their instruments. I’m surprised Josh Villalta’s cymbal hardware held up against his pummeling.
My only small problem with Nita’s set was she saved the 3 songs with touring vocalist Kasey Karlsen for the end of the set and at times it was hard to hear Kasey but when you have that monstrous of a band, it’s gonna happen. It’s not easy to step into Alissa White-Gluz’ shoes to tackle “The Wolf You Feed” but Kasey did it with proficiency. Kasey soared over the changes from clean singing to growling and screams that the song demands. As with any great band, I had troubles of who to keep looking at during the set and Nita’s band is loaded with talent, bassist Christopher Dean, guitarist Johnny Young and keyboardist Katt Scarlett all equally as amped up as Nita. Hopefully Nita comes around again headlining her own show, as it will be lots of fun to see an extended set with more of everything.
MAMMOTH WVH took the stage to very bare stage compared to NITA STRAUSS’ pretty intense light show. MAMMOTH was letting the music do all the talking. Wolf has created an insanely tight band to back him with all kinds of harmonies and amazing playing. Coming right out with the phenomenal “Right?” was a treat for all in attendance showcasing how talented of a band these 5 guys are together. Infectious smiles from the band beamed right back to them from the packed, dedicated crowd at First Avenue. As Brett said after taking pictures posted here “He’s got his Dad’s smile, that’s for sure.”
Speaking of the dedicated crowd let’s fast forward to the middle of the set real quick, I have never heard First Avenue quiet enough to hear a pin drop. The crowd was hanging on every word and chord of a solo acoustic version of “Distance”. The break in the set made for a very magical moment between Wolf and the crowd. That’s the beauty of a club show. First Avenue is amazing sounding venue to begin with and to have a moment as special as that, be as quiet as it was, was something that has to be what every artist strives for.
Wolfgang is an amazing front man delivering a flawless performance both vocally and musically. Wolfgang effortlessly makes the band sound just as strong as him making sure they each have a spotlight during the show. There’s not too many drummers that drum as hard as the two drummers on this tour, Mammoth’s Garrett Whitlock and Josh Villalta for Nita’s band. I’m sure it was just from standing at the front of stage left where both drummers were positioned, but I could hear them both hit the snare in real time .. a 3D sound, the snare from the PA and the actual snare on stage .. I haven’t heard that in a LONG time. Bassist Ron Ficarro was running all over the stage whenever he got the chance. Guitarists Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan were having the time of their lives up there delivering the massive wall of sound. Seriously one fantastic band that absolutely excels in delivering live rock and roll! Please release a live album.
Mammoth II is an album that sounds like it was made to be played live and I was so happy to see 8 out of the 10 tracks represented tonight. “Miles Above Me” and “Like a Pastime” sounded right at home in the set along “Epiphany” and “You’re to Blame” from the first record. The encore was a “celebration” for sure. “Another Celebration at the End of the World” in to “Don’t Back Down” – two super strong hits that are even more electric live. Carefully crafting the set list with equal part of both albums, Wolfgang put together an amazing set list featuring the best of the best. A super solid 90 minute set that if there was anyone in attendance that was on the fence, they definitely left a fan. This is definitely one of those shows I wouldn’t mind revisiting again and hopefully soon.
SEE MORE OF BRETT'S PHOTOS OF MAMMOTH WVH HERE!
SEE MORE OF BRETT'S PHOTOS OF NITA STRAUSS HERE!
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