Live Review: Monster Magnet - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Support: Margarita Witch Cult
24th September 2024
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
As autumn sets in on a grey night in Wolverhampton, Monster Magnet brought their stoner rock mastery to KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, supported by the rising Birmingham doom metal band Margarita Witch Cult. The night was an explosive mix of gritty riffs, hypnotic grooves, and heavy psychedelic atmosphere that left the crowd buzzing.
The evening kicked off with local trio Margarita Witch Cult, whose vintage-heavy sound feels rooted in the best parts of classic doom and occult rock. They set the stage with a thick wall of riffs, opening with ‘Aradia, a track that immediately established their raw, doom-laden energy made famous by those early Black Sabbath albums. ‘Diabolical Influence’ and ‘Scream Bloody Murder’ were tight and ferocious, capturing a grimy edge that pulled the crowd into their sonic depths.
One of the set’s highlights was their rendition of Billy Idol’s ‘White Wedding, a surprise twist that injected some rebellious fun into their dark, sludgy vibe. Though it's a significant departure from their usual fare, the band made it their own with fuzzy guitar tones and snarling vocals. Songs like ‘The Witchfinder Comes’ and ‘Crawl Home’ leaned into their occult aesthetic, with thick, slow-building grooves that felt like a tribute to doom pioneers like Black Sabbath. Closing with the apocalyptic ‘Sacrifice’, Margarita Witch Cult left the stage with the audience primed and ready for the night’s main attraction.
Dave Wyndorf and Monster Magnet took the stage like seasoned space rock veterans, although Dave, struggling with some health issues, spent the night sat on a stool, as he mentioned during the show; enabling him to give his best for the fans.
Launching straight into ‘Dopes to Infinity’, the band immediately grabbed the audience’s attention with its swirling, cosmic energy. Wyndorf’s gravelly vocals only intensified as they moved into ‘Tractor’, with its relentless, driving riff.
Monster Magnet’s set was a testament to their legacy, mixing deep cuts with fan favourites. Tracks like ‘Superjudge’ and ‘Negasonic Teenage Warhead’ took on a life of their own in a live setting, with heavy, reverb-laden guitars filling the venue with a wall of sound.
The second half of the set saw Monster Magnet delve into their earlier material, with a fifteen minute sprawling performance of ‘Spine of God’ and ‘Zodiac Lung’ providing a hazy, atmospheric breather between the heavier tracks. Even seated, With ‘Ego, The Living Planet’ the band's grooves creating a cosmic journey that felt larger than life, whilst ‘Bummer’s grinding riffs and slow-burn intensity had the crowd completely captivated.
After a short break the band returned for the encore. On paper this was due to be a three song affair starting with ‘Crop Circles’ and ‘Powertrip’ on the slate, but Dave’s struggles saw the finale reduced to just one ditty, the ever wonderful ‘Space Lord’. The anthemic chorus echoed through KK’s Steel Mill as the audience roared the lyrics back at the band. It was the perfect way to end a night filled with fuzzed-out guitars, swirling psychedelia, and a powerful blend of doom, stoner, and space rock.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
