“Cobras and Fire (The Mastermind Redux)” is the latest work from the Redbank, New Jersey, stoner rock band Monster Magnet. The record is an alternate version of the band’s 2010 album “Mastermind.” With new tracks and rearrangements of others, “Cobras and Fire” is in essence a new album. The reworked versions by founding member Dave Wyndorf are completely different and at times totally unrecognizable from the earlier versions.
The psychedelic journey begins with “She Digs That Hole” and never lets up as the listener is seemingly transported through both time and space. It becomes clear that anything goes on this record as Wyndorf pushes his musical boundaries at each and every twist and turn. Don’t want vocals? Take them out and transform “The Titan” and “Time Machine” to instrumental tracks. Let’s go for a trippy ride on the over 9 minute long “Hallucination Bomb.” Listen in amazement as Monster Magnet transforms “Ball of Confusion” by the Temptations into a super cool Jim Morrison type tune. Closing things out in epic style is the conglomeration track in honor of producer Evil Joe Baressi, “I Live Behind the Paradise Machine:Evil Joe Barresi’s Magnet Mash Vol. 1.”
With the freedom to do pretty much whatever the hell he wanted, Dave Wyndorf has given us a Monster Magnet album like no other. It’s crazy and completely out of control and totally fantastic.
