Earlier this year, Napalm Records presented the next chapter in psychedelic rock icons Monster Magnet’s rabbit hole deep dive, ‘A Better Dystopia’ (out now) – a delightfully (and psychotically) curated collection of 60’s and 70’s proto-metal and late-era psych obscurities covered by the heavy New Jersey legends themselves. ‘A Better Dystopia’ sees the band pay homage to some of their favorite songs of all time, while reflecting on the paranoia, dystopia and revolution of both now – and then.
Today, Monster Magnet releases the lyric video for their version of The Scientists’ “Solid Gold Hell.” Watch it here:
“I’m a huge fan of The Scientists and I just love the hell out of this song. It’s hypnotic, dark and sexual with a unique and amazing groove. In a cooler world we’d hear stuff like this blasting out of everyone’s speakers. I’d love to hear Billie Eilish take a crack at this one…,” says frontman Dave Wyndorf.
Regarding the video, he continues, “Joe Tait’s art is so damned interesting… Where else can one find Hieronymus Bosch, Pam Grier, Cold War Soviet monuments, the Dr. Strangelove war room, astronauts, dinosaurs AND rockers all in the same video?”
Wyndorf is at the top of his game on ‘A Better Dystopia,’ delivering each lyric in his own inimitable style, and musicians Phil Caivano, Bob Pantella, Garrett Sweeney and Alec Morton own the sound – vintage and old school, dense and heavy, with searing fuzz leads and pounding bass and drums all played in a deft style that’s almost been lost in modern music. The album opens with “The Diamond Mine”, as Dave Wyndorf recites a classic monologue by Dave Diamond, an American radio DJ whose programs in the late 60’s and early 70’s helped popularize many psychedelic and acid rock bands. At this point the real trip begins, as the opening chords of the Hawkwind classic “Born To Go” gear up for launch. Tracks like standout “Mr. Destroyer” (Poo-Bah) spur visions of some untold Freak revolution – or perhaps dinosaurs battling on a burning planet at the end of time – creating a perfect blend of hard rock and psychedelia. Feverish “Motorcycle (Straight To Hell)” (Table Scraps) is pure punk fury of the old school tradition, evoking a cross between Iggy Pop and Motörhead as Wyndorf wails “I’m gonna drive it straight to HELL!” Falling even further down the mind-bending rabbit hole, Magnet offers their stunning, whirlwind take on the often-overlooked hard rock classic “Learning To Die” (Dust) and a masterful version the Stooges meets Goth epic, “Solid Gold Hell” (The Scientists). The album closes with a bonus nuclear cover of Morgen’s “Welcome To The Void”, inviting you to restart the ride again and again.
Order ‘A Better Dystopia’ HERE.
‘A Better Dystopia’ track listing:
1. The Diamond Mine
2. Born to Go
3. Epitaph for a Head
4. Solid Gold Hell
5. Be Forewarned
6. Mr. Destroyer
7. When the Wolf Sits
8. Death
9. Situation
10. It’s Trash
11. Motorcycle (Straight to Hell)
12. Learning to Die
13. Welcome to the Void – Bonus Track
‘A Better Dystopia’ is available in North America in the following formats:
– Digital Album
– 4 page CD Digipack
– 4 page CD Digipack + Patch (Napalm mailorder only)
– 2LP Gatefold Black
– 2LP Gatefold Pink Transparent (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 300) SOLD OUT
– 2LP Gatefold Cuaracao (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 500) NEW!
– 2LP Gatefold Purple (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 300) NEW!
– 2LP Gatefold Glow In The Dark (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 200) SOLD OUT
– Limited Die Hard Edition: 2LP Gatefold Neon Green/Black Splatter + Slipmat (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 200) SOLD OUT
Press release courtesy of Freeman Promotions / Napalm Records
Also Check Out: Myles Kennedy releases “A Thousand Words” video
