Split Eps are always a great way to find new bands or to celebrate an event. In the case of this release, there’s no question that listeners will be familiar with the work of stoner rock legends Monster Magnet and sludge metal overlords Raging Speedhorn, but as a celebration of the mighty Desertfest, this limited edition (just 300 copies, so be quick folks), 7” release is truly something special that fans will want to get hold of. A double A side, the single features Monster Magnet’s ‘Hallucination bomb’ (the opening gambit from ‘Mastermind’) and Raging Speedhorn’s ‘halfway to hell’ (previously released last year as a limited edition single).
‘For fans who missed out the first time round, ‘halfway to hell’ is a stunning return to form for Raging Speedhorn, whose forthcoming, crowd-funded album is hotly anticipated. A simmering beast that emphasises the Sabbath influences at the heart of Corby’s brutal killing machine, ‘halfway to hell’ sees sludge-infused guitars, a surprisingly catchy chorus and the band’s patented dual vocal attack in full swing. With its darkly psychedelic bass and layers of feedback, it proves to be a far more apt pairing with Monster Magnet than first glances may suggest and it’s one hell of a track. Monster Magnet’, meanwhile, have been on the sort of form of late that most bands can only dream of. With frontman Dave Wyndorf liberated from what he (only half-jokingly) calls his ‘leather pants phase’, Monster Magnet have released a number of stone-cold classics including the monumental ‘mastermind’ and the trippy, psychedelic journey of ‘last patrol’. Hallucination bomb’ comes from the former album (currently reborn as ‘cobras and fire’) and it’s classic Monster Magnet: slow, doom-laden and with Dave beckoning the listener into his unique vision of rock ‘n’ roll as layers of echoing vocals pile up over a riff that could level buildings.
The final piece of the puzzle of this awesome Desertfest souvenir 7” is the artwork of Alexander Von Wieding who so perfectly captures the spirit of the EP (bringing back the desert traveller of last year’s effort). Super limited, super cool and the perfect way to support Desertfest, this split 7” follows boldly in last year’s debut release which featured contributions from Karma to Burn and Sons of Alpha Centuri. Already proving to be one hell of a series, the Desertfest split 7” is rapidly becoming an annual event in its own right and it is undoubtedly the best way to celebrate the independent spirit of the festival.
