Monster Magnet / Bombus @ Effenaar, Eindhoven 18/12/2015
Yeah, Motherfucker! Monster Magnet returns to the Effenaar once again. The band hasn’t released a new record since 2013’s Last Patrol, but with a back catalogue like the one of these gents, that hardly matters. Dave Wyndorf and his pals are here to rock to infinity.
There’s a bit of drapes hung from the ceiling, shielding a small bit of the space in front of the main stage, but it looks quite full on this Wednesday evening in Eindhoven. People of all ages are here to see the band in action, even bringing in some second generation Monster Magnet fans along. The place not being too full is actually quite a nice thing, it creates enough space and a laid back atmosphere.
Bombus seem to be the only ones who didn’t get that memo about keeping stuff relaxed. Their sound is frantic and brimming with energy. The heavy metallers from Gothenburg in Sweden have made an impression with their album in 2013, but seem to have been floating up to the surface only recently. This is their first time in the Netherlands and they’re sure to leave a lasting impression. The sound suffers a bit early in the set and becomes a bit messy, but undaunted the band persists in putting out their particular blend of heavy metal.
There’s a raw sound to these guys, almost haggard at times, giving a particular charm to the riff chugging Swedes on stage. On stage performance, they’re sure to give the mainliner a run for their money tonight. In around 45 minutes they get to share plenty of songs from their second release The Poet And The Parrot. The sound of the band is full and powerful, yet remains catchy and full of speed. I think this is only the start for these guys. With a humble approach and a bag full of tricks, they surely made some new fans tonight.
Then it’s time for Monster Magnet. They enter the stage to a cheering crowd. It is clear that Dave Wyndorf is not in the same shape anymore as he was in the glory days, but then again that’s been a while anyways. The band launches into their setlist with much energy and clear joy at playing their tunes. That setlist consists out of songs from the whole career.
The intense guitar work of Phil Caivano is often on the forefront, when Wyndorf sits back to fidget with some equipment. Songs like Dopes To Infinity become the worship of the instrument in their long stretched versions. There’s a lot of the spun out, spacy stuff on the menu today, which allows Wyndorf to use his vocals as an instrument by adding a lot of echo and effects to it now and then. His roaring voice together with the whirling projections create a trippy effect. There’s also room for calmer material, like I Live Behind the Clouds or the swirling End Of Time, both from the album Last Patrol.
Though the performance can be called static, it is the bubbling energy and fun that Wyndorf puts into what he does that captivates the crowd. The set feels like gentle build-up towards a finale and when the band leaves the stage, there is no question that they’re returning after Stay Tuned. The eagerness with which the visitors shout for more is a bit reluctant, but the return really puts the cherry on top of the pie with Donovan cover Three Kingfishers, followed by sing-a-long Tractor.
Of course the band closes with the inevitable Space Lord. Sure, Monster Magnet ain’t what it used to be, but both their live show and their latest album shows they’ve found a new sound and are not afraid to use it.
Scribed by: Guido Segers
Photos by: Patrick Spruytenburg