Top 10 Monster Magnet Songs

Monster Magnet Songs

Our top 10 Monster Magnet songs introduce us to an American band famed for its blending of stoner rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock, and heavy metal music. Monster Magnet was founded in 1989 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Wyndorf, drummer and vocalist Tim Cronin, and guitarist John McBain. The band name was inspired by a 1960s toy made by Wham-O, which vocalist Dave appreciated at his young age. In 1989, Monster Magnet released two demo cassettes, with their official first single being the track “Lizard Johnny/Freakshop USA.” The band would release its first demo cassette as a three-piece consisting of the band’s original lineup. With the second demo cassette, Monster Magnet tagged in drummer Jon Kleiman and bassist Joe Calandra. The band would soon release an eponymous EP with its lineup featuring songs like “Snake Dance” and “Tractor,” which would appear later in other albums.

The year 1990 saw the band sign a recording contract with Caroline Records only to have drummer and vocalist Tim Cronin leave the band. However, Cronin remained significant to the band for years, having him contribute to auditory effects, visuals, and lights during Monster Magnet’s live shows. A full-length album, Cult Classic Spine of God, was later released in 1991, having it hailed as one of the classics of the stoner rock genre music. Commercial success does not come easily, having the band wait till its third album, Dopes to Infinity (1995), to have a song receive regular rotation on airplay. “Negasonic Teenage Warhead” received quite some airplay, especially on MTV, preparing the band for its breakthrough album Powertrip (1998). The band’s music draws influence from Hawkwind, Black Sabbath, Captain Beyond, and Deep Purple. Monster Magnet has, however, gone under lineup changes leaving vocalist Dave Wyndorf as the only original member in the current lineup. Here are the top 10 Monster Magnet songs from the band’s eleven studio albums.

#10- Monolithic

Ushering us into the top 10 Monster Magnet songs list is the ballad “Monolithic.” The song is featured as the sixth release in the band’s 2004 album Monolithic Baby! serving as the album’s title song. In the song, vocalist Dave takes a dig at socialites and some music stars who only do things to have people look up to them or at least draw people’s attention. This takes a dig at even lame music that is produced by “overrated artists,” having Dave term it to be stupid garbage.  

#9- Dopes to Infinity

Dopes to Infinity (1995) has been described as Monster Magnet’s definitive work. The hit “Dopes to Infinity” brings big riffs and melodies to the band’s fans, featuring spectacularly original musical visions from Monster Magnet mastermind vocalist Dave Wyndorf. Featured as the lead single on the band’s 1995 album, “Dopes to Infinity” bristles with Black Sabbath type of energy. Thanks to Dave Wyndorf’s awe-inspiring vocals, the song feels quite different compared to releases in the band’s two previous albums.

#8 – Mindless Ones

“Mindless Ones” is one of the best Monster Magnet songs from the album Last Patrol. Like most of the songs in the album, “Mindless Ones” features a full-on psychedelic space rock vibe. The song takes a weird trip through the alleys of a dark retro-future which resembles the life of vocalist Dave Wyndorf in a great way. 

#7- Heads Explode

The film Dracula 2000 had its soundtrack features tons of artists such as Monster Magnet, Marilyn Manson, Linkin Park, and Disturbed. “Heads Explode” was released as the fifth single of the Dracula 2000 soundtrack. The song was written by vocalist Dave Wyndorf having it featured in the album God Says No. “Heads Explode” was among the final releases of Monster Magnet with drummer Jon Kleiman and bassist Joe Calandra.

#6- See You in Hell

Number six on our top 10 Monster Magnet songs list is the hit “See You in Hell.” The song is featured in the band’s album Powertrip having it featured in the comedy film Bride of Chucky. “See You in Hell” has its lyrics allude to a harrowing conversation between vocalist Dave and a stranger on a bus ride to his hometown. The guy had confessed to Dave that he and his wife were too much into drugs that they killed their child, burying the dead body under their kitchen. It took vocalist Dave quite some while to be able to shake this off, having it best to let go through this magnificent song.

#5- Gods and Punks

“Gods and Punks” is one of the best Monster Magnet songs from the band’s 2010 album Mastermind. Thanks to the song, among other hits in the album that Mastermind 2010 became the first Monster Magnet album to chart on the Billboard 200 after the 2001 album God Says No. The song brings out the best of vocalist Dave Wyndorf’s songwriting skills. “Gods and Punks” was released on October 1, 2010, helping the band draw some attention to its album, which was released on October 25, 2010. Mastermind (2010) would be lead guitarist Ed Mundell’s final album with Monster Magnet.

#4- The Duke (Of Supernature)

Monster Magnet released “The Duke” as the lead single of the album Last Patrol. The song is delivered in an epic nearly-seven-minute animated video directed by Phil Mucci. In a stunning and gripping short film, the song’s video takes after the alternate reality story of a Hiroshima bombing survivor.

#3- Negasonic Teenage Warhead

“Negasonic Teenage Warhead” is the second hit on the band’s 1995 album Dopes to Infinity. The song deals with rock stars who, from vocalist Dave’s point of view, seem to be whiny. In the song, Monster Magnet seems to be complaining about bands such as Nirvana, who Dave accuses of dwindling the relevance of rock music in the United States. The song was Monster Magnet’s first hit to chart, reaching the top 30 in the Billboard Mainstream and Modern Rock Track chart.

#2- Powertrip

“Powertrip” is the self-titled song off Monster Magnet’s commercial breakthrough album Powertrip (1998). While it might not have been the most successful song on the album, “Powertrip” was popularly used in video games, films, and as a WWE theme song. The song encapsulates everything great about the band’s retro-rock revival. Its lyrics feature the thought of having enough money that you can do whatever you want in this life.

#1- Space Lord

Number one in our top 10 Monster Magnet songs is the hit “Space Lord.” The song was penned as payback for some teasing that vocalist Dave endured having it featured on the band’s album Powertrip. “Space Lord” is credited with bringing Monster Magnet to mainstream success. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart. “Space Lord” is remembered by many as the first music video to be aired on MTV’s Total Request Live.

Feature Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alterna2/ Alterna2, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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