The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: Van Halen
Artist: Van Halen
Label: Warner Brothers Records
Release Date: 1978

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Solomon:
    When you look back on the last twenty-five years of hard rock/metal, the debut record from Van Halen is about as "classic" as you can get. In one mighty stroke, the four madmen from Pasadena, CA managed to turn rock 'n' roll on its ear and usher in an age of "slash and burn" two years before the "Me" decade even started. Van Halen were born to lead rock music into the Eighties. Of course, Eddie Van Halen was the ring leader, taking guitar technique to the next level and beyond. "Eruption," one of the most important guitar solos of all-time, made players either throw away their instruments in disgust or forced them to reach for a higher level of proficiency. Whammy bar divebombs, rapid "tremelo" picking, the infamous two-handed tapping technique, and general six-string insanity had guitarists the world over crowning the new King. Contrary to popular opinion, the tapping thing was not invented by Eddie (bassist Billy Sheehan and others had done this before), and his colorful, animated approach to rhythm playing invokes the spirit of Jimi Hendrix, but "Eruption" basically made the previous twenty years of pentatonic doodling look retarded.

    Eddie may have been the general, but you can't forget the other high-ranking officers involved. David Lee Roth's contribution to the band's success cannot be denied: he defines "rock star." Possessing a boisterous vocal style and outrageous persona, both onstage and off, Roth was a dream frontman who was a perfect compliment to Eddie's revolutionary guitar style. Bassist Michael Anthony and drummer Alex Van Halen rounded out the rhythm section, and Anthony was the main force behind the band's signature "gang" vocals. Put altogether, Van Halen could do no less than dominate the planet.

    The debut album introduced the world to a new band that was full of vitality and creativity. Opener "Runnin' With The Devil" is rather tame compared to what follows it. After the revolutionary "Eruption" comes an amped-up version of The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" and the darker, varied dynamics in the classic "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love." The ever-addictive chrous to "Jamie's Cryin'" gives way to the more metallic drive of "Atomic Punk" and (my favorite) "Feel Your Love Tonight." "Little Dreamer" is a unique slow-burner, somewhat bluesy but with an updated edge. "Ice Cream Man" provides some comedic relief, while "On Fire" brings down the house with full-on metal prowess and a stratospheric chorus. When it comes down to it, I'll put on Balance and 5150 before this one (yeah, I'm a Hagar freak, so sue me), but Van Halen is a damn national treasure and represents the start of one of the greatest careers in rock history.
    4 out of 5

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