Van Halen - Van Halen III
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On March 17, 1998, "Van Halen" released their eleventh studio album "Van Halen III".
For more than two decades, "Van Halen" had been one of hard rock’s most influential and commercially successful bands. From the explosive debut in 1978 through the chart-topping Sammy Hagar era of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the group repeatedly reshaped its sound while keeping the revolutionary guitar work of Eddie Van Halen at the center of the music.
By the mid-1990s the band entered a turbulent period. Sammy Hagar left in 1996, a brief reunion with original singer David Lee Roth quickly collapsed, and the group ultimately recruited Gary Cherone of "Extreme" as the new frontman. "Van Halen III" became the only album recorded with Cherone and represents one of the most unusual chapters in the band’s long history.
The album was recorded during 1997 at Eddie Van Halen’s 5150 Studios in Studio City, California. Produced by Eddie Van Halen together with television composer Mike Post, the project reflected Eddie’s increasingly experimental mindset. Unlike earlier records where the band functioned more as a tight collaborative unit, many of the arrangements and musical directions were driven primarily by Eddie himself. The sessions produced the longest album in the band’s catalog, and the expanded runtime allowed the group to explore textures and structures rarely heard on previous releases.
The brief unusual acoustic instrumental introduction "Neworld" opens the record and quickly leads into "Without You". The song immediately presents a heavier and darker tone than much of the band’s earlier material. Gary Cherone delivers an intense vocal performance that differs from both Hagar’s melodic style and Roth’s swagger, while Eddie layers massive rhythm guitars with soaring leads that still showcase his unmistakable playing. It's interesting to note that the song is the first out of 3 only tracks Michael Anthony is playing bass on, while Eddie Van Halen is the one playng the bass guitar on the rest of them.
Much of the album explores longer and more progressive song structures. "From Afar" unfolds gradually with atmospheric guitar textures before building into a powerful chorus, while "Dirty Water Dog" combines aggressive riffing with shifting rhythmic ideas that highlight Alex Van Halen’s dynamic drumming. Eddie experiments with layered guitar harmonies and unusual arrangements, giving the songs a dense and sometimes unpredictable character.
One of the most compelling tracks is "Year to the Day", a brooding and emotional composition that slowly develops across its extended runtime. The track builds tension through dark guitar passages and introspective lyrics before erupting into one of Eddie Van Halen’s most expressive solos of the era. In contrast, "Fire in the Hole" brings a more straightforward burst of hard rock energy with a driving groove and sharp guitar hooks.
The album closes with the unexpected "How Many Say I", which features Eddie Van Halen singing lead vocals while accompanying himself on piano. The song is reflective and subdued, offering a dramatic shift from the guitar-driven identity the band had built over the years. Its introspective tone reinforces the sense that the album captures a band searching for a new direction.
Upon release, "Van Halen III" debuted strongly on the charts but generated mixed reactions from critics and longtime fans. Some listeners admired Van Halen’s willingness to experiment and expand the band’s sound, while others missed the concise songwriting and immediate hooks that defined earlier records. Over time the album has remained one of the most debated entries in the band’s discography, yet it stands as an intriguing document of a legendary group pushing into unfamiliar territory.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
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