Mastermind
Monster Magnet · 2010
66 min · 14 tracks · hard rock
A gritty blend of stoner rock and hard-edged riffs, infused with psychedelic lyrics and a relentless energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hallucination Bomb — This opening track sets a high-energy tone with its explosive riffs and vivid imagery, embodying the band's signature psychedelic flair.
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Gods and Punks — The track blends rebellious themes with catchy hooks, reflecting the band's take on counterculture while showcasing their strong songwriting.
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Mastermind — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's theme of inner conflict through intricate musical layers and introspective lyrics.
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When the Planes Fall From the Sky — This song merges apocalyptic imagery with a melodic structure, illustrating Monster Magnet's ability to fuse heavy themes with accessible music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends hard rock with stoner influences, showcasing solid craftsmanship but lacking standout depth.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature aggressive guitar riffs and driving rhythms, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several songs incorporate extended instrumental sections that allow for improvisation and exploration of sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty energy for late nights
- immersive tracks with relentless pacing
- cathartic release through heavy riffs
- dark themes with psychedelic undertones
Maybe skip if you
- prefer soft, melodic tunes
- want swift, brief songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2010, Mastermind is Monster Magnet's seventh studio album and follows their 2004 release, 4-Way Diablo. At this point in their career, the band was experimenting with a more polished sound while maintaining their signature space rock influences. This album marked a significant return after a six-year hiatus, allowing them to reconnect with both longtime fans and new listeners.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kyuss· Fu Manchu· Electric Wizard
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hallucination Bomb 5:27
- 2 Bored With Sorcery 4:02
- 3 Dig That Hole 5:34
- 4 Gods and Punks 5:31
- 5 The Titan Who Cried Like a Baby 3:36
- 6 Mastermind 5:08
- 7 100 Million Miles 5:01
- 8 Perish in Fire 4:42
- 9 Time Machine 5:30
- 10 When the Planes Fall From the Sky 5:46
- 11 Ghost Story 5:20
- 12 All Outta Nothin 4:28
- 13 Watch Me Fade 3:05
- 14 Fuzz Pig 3:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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