17-year-old Eddie Van Halen, brother Alex, and Mark Stone cover Black Sabbath's classic War Pigs, aka Walpurgis. Possibly recorded at the club Gas Company in Pasadena, California, in 1972. It may be one of the earliest known recordings of Mammoth.

Eddie Van Halen (RIP) - Guitar and vocals
Alex Van Halen - Drums
Mark Stone (RIP) - Bass

Special thanks to Jorge from vhvoaboots.jcink.net for uncovering this rare gem.

"War Pigs" is one of the most iconic songs by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released as the opening track on their second studio album, "Paranoid," in 1970.

The song is known for its powerful and ominous riff, which is considered one of the defining moments of heavy metal music. Lyrically, "War Pigs" is a protest song that criticizes war and its destructive consequences. The lyrics address themes such as war, corruption, and the hypocrisy of political leaders who send young soldiers off to fight while staying safely behind. The song's lyrics make it clear that the band members were opposed to the Vietnam War and other conflicts of their era.

"War Pigs" has become a classic in the heavy metal genre and is often cited as one of Black Sabbath's signature songs. It has been covered and referenced by numerous artists and continues to be a staple of the band's live performances. The song's enduring popularity has solidified its place in the history of rock and metal music.

The song "War Pigs" was originally titled "Walpurgis" before it was changed. The title change occurred because the record label believed that "Walpurgis" might be associated with satanic themes, which could potentially hurt the song's commercial prospects.

"Walpurgis" is likely a reference to Walpurgisnacht, a traditional European holiday celebrated on the night of April 30th and May 1st. It has various cultural and historical associations, including witches' gatherings and pagan rituals. While the original title may have had a different meaning or symbolism in the context of the song, the decision to change it to "War Pigs" was made for marketing and potential controversy reasons.

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