A Different Kind Of Truth

About

"A Different Kind of Truth" is the twelfth and final studio album by the American rock band Van Halen, released on February 7, 2012, by Interscope Record. It was the band's only studio album released through Interscope and their first album of new studio material with original lead singer David Lee Roth since "1984" (1984). It was also the first Van Halen studio album since "Van Halen III" (1998) and the only studio album recorded without bassist Michael Anthony, who was replaced by Wolfgang Van Halen, son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli. The album became the final studio release by the band before Eddie Van Halen's death in 2020 and the group's subsequent disbandment. The album was recorded at Henson Recording Studios and 5150 Studios and produced by John Shank. Seven of its thirteen tracks were based on previously unreleased demos written during the late 1970s and early 1980. Several songs were reworked musically and lyrically for the album. Critics generally responded positively to the release, with some describing it as a return to the band's earlier sound and style. The album also achieved commercial succe, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and entering the top ten in several countrie. By the end of 2012, it had sold more than 411,000 copies in the United State. The album was supported by the "A Different Kind of Truth Tour". Van Halen reunited with David Lee Roth in 2007 for a North American reunion tour. Wolfgang Van Halen joined the lineup as bassist, replacing Michael Anthony. The tour ran from September 2007 to June 2008 and became the highest-grossing tour of the band's career at that time. Following the tour, Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang Van Halen began working on new material at 5150 Studio. Wolfgang discovered unreleased demo recordings in the band's archives and encouraged the group to revisit and develop them. Among the songs revived from earlier sessions were "She's the Woman", "Outta Space", and "Bullethead". Some material also originated from an unsuccessful reunion project from 2000. Initially, the band considered releasing an album focused on lesser-known material and reworked demo. As work progressed, new songs were also written and recorded. After considering self-production and other producer, the band selected John Shanks to produce the album. David Lee Roth suggested recording at Henson Recording Studios instead of exclusively at 5150 Studio, where the band had recorded most of their previous albums since the mid-1980. Recording sessions began in early 2011. Instrumental tracks were completed within several week, with Wolfgang Van Halen taking an active role in arranging and developing song. Additional recording and mixing later took place at 5150 Studios with engineer Ross Hogarth. The production emphasized a modernized guitar sound while retaining characteristics associated with Eddie Van Halen's earlier work. Multi-microphone recording techniques were used extensively for guitar, ba, and drum. Several songs on the album were adapted from material originally written between 1975 and 1977. "Blood and Fire" originated from a song titled "Ripley", which had previously appeared in instrumental form in Eddie Van Halen's score for the film "The Wild Life" (1984). David Lee Roth rewrote many of the lyrics to reflect contemporary themes and personal experience. The lead single "Tattoo" included synthesizer parts performed by Roth, while other songs incorporated processed guitar effects designed to resemble synthesizer. Van Halen had previously ended their long association with Warner Bro. Records in 2001, apart from a later one-album agreement for the compilation "The Best of Both Worlds" (2004). In November 2011, the band signed with Interscope Record. "Tattoo" was released as the album's lead single on January 10, 2012, and reached number one on Billboard's Hard Rock Singles chart. The album was released in both standard and deluxe edition, the latter including a bonus DVD titled "The Downtown Sessions" featuring acoustic performances of several song. The album artwork was created by Smog Design and featured a photograph of a New York Central Railroad J-3A Dreyfuss Hudson steam locomotive taken by photographer Robert Yarnall Richie. The design was based on a concept proposed by David Lee Roth. The booklet included handwritten lyrics by Roth. Before the official tour began, Van Halen performed promotional shows in New York City, Hollywood, and Inglewood, California. The "A Different Kind of Truth Tour" began in February 2012 and included 46 performances across North America. The tour grossed more than $54 million and ranked among the highest-grossing tours of the year. A planned second North American leg was later cancelled, reportedly due to exhaustion. Several Japanese concerts were postponed after Eddie Van Halen underwent emergency surgery for diverticuliti. The postponed shows were rescheduled for 2013, alongside festival appearances in Australia and the United State. "A Different Kind of Truth" received generally favorable reviews from critic. Review aggregator Metacritic assigned the album a score of 73 out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream publication. Critics from publications such as "The Guardian", "AllMusic", "Rolling Stone", and "The A.V. Club" praised the album's energy and musicianship, particularly Eddie Van Halen's guitar performance and the reunion with David Lee Roth. Some critics highlighted the album's connection to the band's earlier sound and songwriting style. Retrospective criticism also appeared in some publication, with certain commentators questioning the album's long-term impact and commercial endurance. Commercially, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 188,000 copies during its first week in the United State. It became Van Halen's fourteenth consecutive top ten album in the country. It also reached number six on the UK Albums Chart and number three on Japan's Oricon chart. By the end of 2012, it ranked among the year's best-selling hard rock albums in the United State. .

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