Metallica Honor Wolfgang Van Halen With “Perfect Attendance Award” for His Dedication on the M72 World Tour
Photo by Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons.
A Recognition of Dedication
Metallica honored Wolfgang Van Halen with a “Perfect Attendance Award” for his dedication during their massive M72 World Tour, which ran from 2023 to 2024. The award celebrated the strong bond between the heavy metal icons and the Mammoth WVH frontman, who supported the band on every single leg of their worldwide stadium tour.
Speaking with Metal Hammer (via Louder Sound), Wolfgang described the experience as “unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of,” reflecting on what it meant to share the stage with one of the world’s biggest metal acts. The tour brought both excitement and unique challenges, pushing the multi-instrumentalist to adapt to large-scale performances night after night.
Performing in the Round
One of the most challenging aspects of the M72 Tour was Metallica’s distinctive “in the round” stage setup, which placed the performers in the center of each venue instead of a traditional front-facing stage. This layout required constant engagement from all directions.
“There’s nowhere to hide,” Wolfgang said, describing how the 360-degree setup tested his confidence as a performer. “As a singer, when you’re kind of planted, it’s tough to give the show to the whole crowd.” Still, he noted that the experience was rewarding, crediting Metallica’s kindness and professionalism throughout the tour. The band’s acknowledgment of his efforts came in the form of a custom plaque, which Wolfgang called “very sweet.”
View this post on Instagram
Continuing the Legacy
Mammoth WVH began as Wolfgang’s solo project in the early 2010s, named after one of the early bands his father Eddie Van Halen and uncle Alex played in before forming Van Halen. Showcasing his wide-ranging skills, Wolfgang records all vocals and instruments on his albums. His self-titled debut Mammoth WVH was released in 2021, followed by his third album The End on October 24th.
Meanwhile, Metallica kicked off the Australia leg of their M72 World Tour on November 1st at Perth’s Optus Stadium, thrilling fans with decades of classic hits. The tour continues across Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney before concluding with a stop in Auckland, New Zealand.
