Stoner Rock Shamans MONSTER MAGNET Offer Their Take on Dust’s “Learning To Die”

Monster Magnet's, via Napalm Records, present they new work, that will come out on May 21, 2021, under the name "A Better Dystopia" a delightfully (and psychotically) curated collection of 60’s and 70’s and late-era psych obscurities covered by the New Jersey legends themselves.

While the album marks a new frontier for Monster Magnet as their first covers record, this is not your typical set of standards released to pass time. "A Better Dystopia" sees the band pay homage to some of their favourite songs of all time, while reflecting on the paranoia, dystopia and revolution of both now – and then.

Since last 21st of this month, the loyal fans can get a second fascinating glimpse into the album with a video of the band’s cover of classic Dust track, “Learning To Die.”

Of the song selection, frontman Dave Wyndorf says:

“‘Learning To Die’ blew me away when I was 15 and it still blows me away. Man, do I LOVE to sing this song. Dust was one of the greats."

Dave Wyndorf says about the birth of A Better Dystopia:

“We all agreed that we would be bored out of our minds within a month of lockdown. Monster Magnet loves the road. It’s a lifestyle. So, I considered our options. Rather than panhandle on the internet, hawking masks and Zoom-rocking practice sessions for dollars, I suggested we record a “bunker record”. A total DIY affair (band only) recorded and mixed in Bob Pantella’s small but potent Freak Shop Studios/rehearsal space right here in New Jersey. But what to record?

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I didn’t feel much like writing, but working on anything was better than watching the news as hospitals filled up, people died, and American politics went bat-shit crazy. The world roared “Dystopia! Apocalypse! Revolution!”. I’d heard those words before, and they brought to mind my childhood in the late 60’s/early 70’s… and the music… and short playlist of songs (just one of many) that I’d been carrying around with me on my whatever device to listen to before shows. Of course, these tunes have also been in my head for more or less my whole life. These were not the popular hits of the time. This was like a playlist from the 4th dimension… strange bits of musical obscurity, mostly dredged up from that inglorious and freaky “twilight zone” time that preceded Arena Rock, Heavy Metal, Reggae and Disco. A no-man’s land of hard rock that still had remnants of psychedelia and garage punk but had abandoned any notion of “flower power” or frat house fun. And of course, they rocked.

Yeah, these songs were it.”

New Covers Album, A Better Dystopia, Out May 21, 2021

via Napalm Records | Pre-Order HERE

Wyndorf in "A Better Dystopia", delivered each lyric in his own inimitable style, and talented 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 practically been lost in modern music. The notable 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 key point the real trip instantly begins, as the opening chords of the Hawk wind classic “Born To Go” gear up for the launch. Tracks like standout “Mr. Destroyer” (Poo-Bah) spur visions of some untold Freak revolution – or perhaps dinosaurs battling fiercely on a burning planet at the end of time –creating a delightful 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 more markedly down the mind-bending rabbit hole, Magnet offers their stunning, whirlwind typically 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 completes with a bonus nuclear cover of Morgen’s “Welcome To The Void”, inviting you to restart the ride over and over again.

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