Monster Magnet – A Better Dystopia

 

 

Monster Magnet – A Better Dystopia
Napalm Records – 2021
Rock, Metal, Stoner, Space
Rated: ****

There’ve been two cover albums released recently that have been spinning ever since at the HiVe HQ. One is the Cloud Covered album by the awesome Clouds Taste Satanic, an album we will definitely mention in the very near future. O’ and we noticed Hugo just posted a write-up on his awesome Orange Maze blog, so head on over and grab an earful over there! The other one, is of course the new album A Better Dystopia by the legendary Monster Magnet. Even though we already assumed it would probably be a good one; there was a moment there that we felt a small pang of disappointment. We just really would have loved new Monster Magnet material. As we do every day. Every day. But that momentary feeling was incinerated by the thirteen amazing versions brought to you by Dave Wyndorf and his cronies. It’s loud, its filthy and it’s awesome. The thirteen tracks are all pulled out of the oubliette cesspit of psych, acid and proto-metal and indeed, not all of them are that well known. Most famous might be the Born To Go track from Hawkwind, and that one turns into one of the most fantastic tracks every to grace you ears. With a release to intense it will definitely bring you every sort of satisfaction! And after that intense closer Welcome To The Void leaves you all alone out there, at the bottom of the rabbit hole, where you will be waiting for the next Monster Magnet rocket ship to blast through the infinite space, the fourth dimension or the twilight zone with. You will realize that this is the kind of cover album the world needs right now, rough, raw and nuclear!

(Written by JK)

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Valkyrie – Fear

Valkyrie – Fear

Relapse Records – 2020

Rock, Hard, Metal, Proto, Prog

Rated: ****

I only briefly listened to the new Valkyrie album Fear before the July Doom Charts rolled around. The honorable John Gist then stated that the Number One spot was well deserved and the only possible one for this month; and that sealed the deal. We had to dive deep into the sound of the new Valkyrie. Hugo Hulleman of course already did the deed for the Doom Charts mentioning the Baroness link, the mix of proto-metal, stoner and classic rock and paying homage to their riffage. So, we continue on and begin to hear all of those comparisons made. The Thin Lizzy, the Blue Oyster Cult, the Pentagram, the Uncle Acid and of course the Sabbath love. But then we start hearing those more eighties influences, some Killing Joke or post gothic edge; giving an eerie feeling of loss during the chorus and then going all seventies hardrock afterwards, pulling on the emotional thread. Cause there is depth here. Melancholy and sadness taking center stage for the most part. Offset by wild guitar playing, absolutely stunning bass and riveting drum-work. We had little time to listen before the July Doom Charts rolled around; it then took some time to grab hold; but now it just keeps on spinning!

(Written by JK)

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