Monster Magnet have been playing mind-blowing, ribcage-shaking stoner rock for the best part of two decades now and ‘Mastermind’, the band’s eighth effort, offers no exception to that rule. Even if their last album ‘4-Way Diablo’ may have caused a certain degree of disappointment amongst fans, this latest offering is definitely a return to their earlier form.
From the album’s outset with opener ‘Hallucination Bomb’, ‘Mastermind’ displays the same level of sludgy, doom-laden metal that Monster Magnet fans will already be hooked on. In addition to the stoner elements, the album is also brimming with the same recognisable mixture of Southern rock and space rock that people will be familiar with from the band’s earlier work.
Listeners will soon be satisfied to discover that menacing basslines are the order of the day here, especially on ‘Dig That Hole’, ‘100 Million Miles’ and the title track. The latter in particular is a song that manages to stand out for its solid hard rock sound, complete with headbang-standard riffage, bass-noodling outro and guitar soloing. Not forgetting, of course, Dave Wyndorf’s trademark sneer that features heavily, as always, throughout the album.
The album’s first single is a track called ‘Gods and Punks’ which, unlike the more familiar style of Monster Magnet’s heavier music, is a straightforward mid-tempo rock track. The song is also the obvious choice for the album’s lead track with its infectious guitar rhythm. ‘Gods and Punks’ isn’t the only example to make a slight digression from the album’s main theme. ‘The Titan Who Cried Like a Baby’, in particular, is a spookily spaced-out song that hears Wyndorf singing over some trippy and atmospheric synth music.
More of the psychedelic comes later as well in the form of ‘Time Machine’ and ‘When the Planes Fall from the Sky’, although more of a return to the familiar rock theme is evident on these occasions. ‘Mastermind’ drifts into ballad territory towards the end with closing tracks ‘Ghost Story’ and ‘All Outta Nothing’, which both manage to complete the album in a civilised but stylish manner.
As already mentioned, ‘Mastermind’ marks a fantastic return to former glory for Dave Wyndorf and co. It also seems to have come around at just the right time as well. With Kyuss reforming next year for a full reunion tour, it could be the start of a proper return for stoner rock music – and Monster Magnet could be leading the way.
Stereoboard Rating: 7/10
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The album’s first single is a track called ‘Gods and Punks’ which, unlike the more familiar style of Monster Magnet’s heavier music, is a straightforward mid-tempo rock track. The song is also the obvious choice for the album’s lead track with its infectious guitar rhythm. ‘Gods and Punks’ isn’t the only example to make a slight digression from the album’s main theme. ‘The Titan Who Cried Like a Baby’, in particular, is a spookily spaced-out song that hears Wyndorf singing over some trippy and atmospheric synth music. 
