Monster Magnet
Album Title: Mastermind
Record Label: Napalm Records
Review by Sal Serio
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Monster Magnet - Mastermind
One of the original disciples of stoner rock, Monster Magnet has developed a unique, distinguishable sound, sort of a cosmic space-rock version of sinister pelvic-undulation-rock. Um, think Hawkwind meets Rob Zombie, okay?! The trademark Magnet sound saturates the newly released Mastermind CD, and there is not a single let-down track.
The pilot and ringleader of the Magnet space-rock circus is the infamously mustachioed Dave Wyndorf, who had some health set-backs around the time of their last CD 4-Way Diablo. Now Wyndorf is back with a vengeance, which is evident by the strength of Mastermind’s material. Tracks like “100 Million Miles” and “Gods And Punks” not only shake the rafters of the lift-off hanger, but the lyrics are equally as heavy hitting and incendiary.
It’s a shame that U.S. audiences don’t appreciate the psychedelic sludge-metal of Monster Magnet, at least not as much as European audiences do. Over the past several years the New Jersey bred band has become nearly exclusively based over the pond, where metal rules supreme. Also sad is that Mastermind marks the end of ace guitarist Ed Mundell’s tenure with the band. Both Mundell and Phil Caivano’s guitarwork shines on this latest CD, and the guitars are also more prevalent in the mix than 2007’s 4-Way Diablo release.
Serious Magnet-heads should be on the lookout for the limited edition versions of Mastermind featuring bonus tracks “Watch Me Fade” and “Fuzz Pig”, available in both vinyl and CD formats. The wonderful artwork by Ryan Clark and Dave Wyndorf at Invisible Creature is even more resplendent on the LP cover!
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