Song of the Day: "The Spell" by Mammoth

The first offering in the Song of The Day series

Nov 03, 2025

The third full-length from Mammoth, The End, marks a compelling evolution in both performance and songwriting for frontman Wolfgang Van Halen. From the first note, it is instantly recognizable that Wolf is both more confident, and more clear on what exactly his artistic voice is… both of which were lacking a bit on the first 2 records.

Instrumentally, Wolfgang delivers with an unmistakable maturity, as if he’s settling into writing the right parts for his songs rather than just proving he can play… and shedding at least some of the baggage that comes with his last name. As a result, the multi-instrumentalist approach feels more integrated than before, and it’s astounding how accomplished he is on all instruments, not just the guitar. Granted, he’s a Van Halen, so it’s not surprising, but no less impressive.

This album doesn’t just showcase Wolfgang’s formidable chops—it reveals a songwriter increasingly comfortable in his skin, letting stronger songwriting lead the way through an album that is an enjoyable listening experience from start to finish.

One of those songs is today’s pick for Song of The Day: “The Spell” is a highly melodic piece of contemporary rock. Riff-driven and heavy, it’s packed with a strong hook and a memorable chorus that makes you want to sing along. While he could focus on technical flash, the song instead creates a rich, layered sound that prioritizes the songwriting and melody. While the main riff is heavy guitar lead, there is no solo in the song… it just doesn’t need it and would only get in the way. “The Spell” is a fantastic example of Wolf’s maturity coming through, and hopefully a glimpse into what we can expect from an artist with a long career ahead of him.

Check it out below.