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Powertrip
Powertrip
from Wikipedia

Powertrip
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 16, 1998 (1998-06-16)
Recorded1997
StudioNorth Vine, NRG
Genre
Length60:42
LabelA&M
ProducerDave Wyndorf, Matt Hyde
Monster Magnet chronology
Dopes to Infinity
(1995)
Powertrip
(1998)
God Says No
(2000)
Singles from Powertrip
  1. "Space Lord"
    Released: 1998
  2. "Powertrip"
    Released: 1998
  3. "Temple of Your Dreams"
    Released: 1999
  4. "See You in Hell"
    Released: 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[6]
Chicago Sun-TimesStarStarStarHalf star[7]
Christgau's Consumer Guide(1-star Honorable Mention)[8]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal9/10[9]
Drowned in Sound8/10[10]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[11]
Metal Hammer10/10[12]
NME6/10[13]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStarHalf star[14]

Powertrip is the fourth studio album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released on June 16, 1998. The album was the band's commercial breakthrough, achieving mainstream success due largely to the hit single "Space Lord". Other hit songs on the album include "Powertrip", "Temple of Your Dreams", and "See You in Hell". The album reached #1 on the Heatseekers Charts, #21 in the German Charts,[15] #65 in the UK Charts, and #97 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on January 25, 1999.[16][17] Music videos were made for the songs "Space Lord", "Powertrip", and "See You in Hell".

Recording

[edit]

After the Dopes to Infinity tour, Dave Wyndorf flew to Las Vegas to work on the group's next album. He got a hotel room 10 miles (16 km) outside the city, where he would write one song a day for twenty-one days.[18] Most of the songs were based on the themes of Las Vegas, such as naked women and people losing their money. The song "Tractor" is a re-recorded version of the song originally released on the band's 1990 EP Monster Magnet.

[edit]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Dave Wyndorf, except where noted.

No.TitleLength
1."Crop Circle"5:32
2."Powertrip"3:31
3."Space Lord"5:55
4."Temple of Your Dreams"4:35
5."Bummer"7:35
6."Baby Götterdämerung" (misspelling of Götterdämmerung)3:09
7."19 Witches"4:02
8."3rd Eye Landslide"5:10
9."See You in Hell"4:05
10."Tractor"3:26
11."Atomic Clock"5:06
12."Goliath and the Vampires"4:13
13."Your Lies Become You"4:18
Total length:60:42
Japanese bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
14."Big God"5:58
15."Kick Out the Jams" (MC5 cover)2:35
16."The Game"4:54

A Limited Tour Edition was also released with a bonus disc entitled Viva Las Vegas (Live in Las Vegas). The Japanese version contains this bonus disc and three bonus tracks on the original.

Viva Las Vegas (Live in Las Vegas)

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Temple of Your Dreams"5:34
2."Dinosaur Vacuum"5:19
3."Baby Götterdämmerung"4:00
4."Cage Around the Sun"8:18
5."Bummer"7:35
6."Space Lord"9:32

Personnel

[edit]
  • Dave Wyndorf – vocals, guitar
  • Ed Mundell – guitar
  • Philip Caivano – guitar
  • Joe Calandra – bass
  • Jon Kleiman – drums

Additional personnel

[edit]
  • Matt Hyde – guitar, engineer, mixing
  • John Flannery – guitar
  • Scott Garrett – drums
  • Tim Cronin – autovisuals, misinformation, herald of galactus

Production

[edit]
  • Steve Mixdorf – assistant engineer
  • Jesse Fishman – assistant engineer
  • Cameron Webb – assistant engineer
  • Paul Silveira – assistant engineer
  • Randy Staub – mixing
  • John Travis – mixing
  • Ron Boustead – digital editing
  • Don C. Tyler – digital editing
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering

Chart positions

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Country Provider Certification
United States RIAA Gold[16]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Power Trip is an American metal band formed in , , in 2008, known for blending elements of , , and heavy metal with lyrics addressing social oppression, human suffering, and political critique. The band's original lineup featured vocalist Riley Gale, guitarists Blake Ibanez and , bassist Chris Whetzel, and drummer Chris Ulsh, drawing influences from acts like Exodus, , , and Discharge to create raw, high-energy music that revitalized the thrash scene in the . They gained prominence through relentless touring alongside diverse artists such as , , and , and released their debut full-length album in 2013 on Southern Lord Records, followed by the critically acclaimed in 2017, produced by Arthur Rizk. A compilation of early material, Opening Fire: 2008–2014, was issued in 2018, capturing their raw evolution from underground hardcore roots. Tragedy struck in August 2020 when frontman Riley Gale died at age 34 from an accidental overdose, leaving the band to pause activities amid widespread mourning in the metal community. In 2023, Power Trip resumed live performances with longtime collaborator Seth Gilmore of the band taking over vocals, honoring Gale's legacy while forging ahead; by , they announced plans for new music, describing it as an "awesome and inspiring" new chapter, alongside extensive touring including European dates and appearances. The band's resurgence has been marked by sold-out shows and praise for maintaining their signature intensity, solidifying their status as a cornerstone of modern .

Background and Recording

Conception and Development

Power Trip was formed in 2008 in Dallas, Texas, by vocalist Riley Gale, guitarists Blake Ibanez and , bassist Whetzel, and drummer Marcus Johnson, emerging from the local hardcore and metal scenes as a project blending , , and heavy metal influences from bands like Exodus, , , and Discharge. The band began with informal jams and quickly built a grassroots following through DIY shows in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, releasing a self-titled demo in 2009 that showcased their raw, high-energy crossover sound. In 2009, Johnson was replaced by drummer Chris Ulsh, a veteran of bands like Converge and Nails, which solidified their lineup and intensified their touring ethic, sharing stages with acts in the punk and metal underground. By 2011, Power Trip had issued the EP Armageddon Blues on Withdrawal Records, refining their aggressive riffs and socially charged lyrics while gaining traction beyond via relentless regional tours. This period of development culminated in signing with Southern Lord Records in 2013, motivated by the label's reputation for supporting heavy music and the band's desire to elevate their production quality without compromising their underground ethos. Gale's vision emphasized revitalizing thrash's political edge, drawing from personal experiences of social oppression to craft anthemic tracks that resonated with a growing disillusioned by mainstream rock.

Production Process

Power Trip's debut full-length album, , was recorded in 2012 at The Audio Studio in and additional sessions in . Produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Arthur Rizk, the sessions focused on capturing the band's live intensity with a raw yet punchy sound, utilizing analog techniques to emphasize thick guitar tones and Gale's urgent vocals. Rizk's involvement, known for his work with bands like , helped streamline the 10 tracks into a cohesive , released on June 11, 2013, via Southern Lord Records. Their sophomore album, , entered production in 2016, again helmed by Arthur Rizk at The Audio Studio in , where the band aimed to evolve their sound with tighter song structures and more dynamic arrangements while retaining the ferocity of their debut. Rizk handled recording, engineering, and mixing, with mastering by Joel Grind of , resulting in a polished yet aggressive production that highlighted intricate riffs and thematic depth. The 10-track album was released on February 24, 2017, by Southern Lord, marking a breakthrough in clarity and impact.

Music and Lyrics

Musical Style

Powertrip blends , heavy metal, and psychedelic elements, characterized by heavy riffs, fuzz guitars, and spacey effects that create a thick, immersive sonic landscape. The album draws from the band's heritage while incorporating a harder, more streamlined edge, melding psychedelic influences with straightforward grooves. This fusion results in tracks that evoke cosmic heaviness, as heard in songs like "" and "Bummer," where distorted guitars and echoing effects produce a wall-of-sound texture. A key innovation on Powertrip is the shift to shorter, more radio-friendly songs compared to the band's earlier, more expansive and drug-fueled compositions, such as those on 25... or . This approach emphasizes catchy hooks and anthemic choruses, exemplified by "," which features soaring, memorable refrains designed for broad appeal without sacrificing the group's intensity. The 13-track album clocks in at approximately 61 minutes, allowing for a tighter structure that prioritizes punchy verses and dynamic builds over lengthy jams. Instrumentally, the album showcases dual guitars from on lead and Philip Caivano on rhythm, layering fuzzy, riff-driven walls of sound that anchor the psychedelic haze. Jon Kleiman's dynamic drumming provides propulsion, with massive, groove-oriented patterns that range from thunderous fills to tight, arena-rock beats, enhancing the overall heaviness and interplay with Joe Calandra's supportive lines. The album's influences include explicit nods to 1970s proto-metal acts like and , as well as and pioneers such as , infusing the music with retro-futuristic vibes and rhythms. These elements contribute to Powertrip's distinctive sound, bridging underground stoner aesthetics with mainstream accessibility.

Thematic Content

The lyrics of Powertrip revolve around central themes of power, , and , reflecting frontman Dave Wyndorf's fascination with dominance and liberation from societal constraints. Power is portrayed as a cosmic force of rebellion and control, as seen in "Space Lord," where Wyndorf uses the metaphor of an intergalactic to symbolize personal reinvention and defiance against mainstream , drawing from his experiences of and recovery. manifests in fantasies of eternal , such as declarations of never working again, inspired by Wyndorf's isolation in a Las Vegas , where he channeled the city's excess into visions of unbridled autonomy. underscores these motifs through celebrations of indulgence and , evoking a rock-star unbound by . Drug and sci-fi imagery permeates the album, rooted in Wyndorf's past encounters with psychedelics and his affinity for acid-rock influences like , even as he abstained during its creation. These elements blend hallucinatory with extraterrestrial narratives, creating a surreal backdrop for human excess; for instance, "" conjures disorienting flights and chemical haze, mirroring Wyndorf's observations of Vegas debauchery through a distorted, otherworldly lens. Sci-fi motifs, such as battles among "intergalactic sex gods," amplify the themes of power and escapism, transforming personal rebellion into epic, interstellar conquests. Wyndorf's songwriting on Powertrip marks an evolution from the abstract, trippy psychedelia of earlier albums like Spine of God (1992) and Dopes to Infinity (1995), which featured raw, experimental sprawl, toward more direct and humorous narratives tailored for broader appeal. Influenced by label feedback and a deliberate shift to concise hard-rock anthems, the lyrics adopt a swaggering, pulp-fiction style—blending satire with bravado—while retaining psychedelic undertones, as Wyndorf simplified his approach to emphasize relatable fantasies over dense abstraction. Song lengths and structures reinforce these themes, with most tracks clocking in under five minutes to sustain momentum, featuring verses that methodically build tension through narrative buildup before erupting into explosive, chant-like choruses that embody the album's themes of release and dominance. This format, honed via experimentation, mirrors the lyrical arc from restraint to hedonistic outburst, enhancing the escapist rush.

Release and Promotion

Marketing and Singles

Powertrip was released on June 16, 1998, by A&M Records, with simultaneous launches in the United States and Europe marking the band's major-label breakthrough. The rollout emphasized the album's psychedelic hard rock energy, positioning Monster Magnet as heirs to 1970s arena rock traditions while incorporating modern stoner rock elements. The lead single, "Space Lord," was released as a promotional track in 1998, gaining significant traction through heavy rotation on MTV and mainstream rock radio stations, with the music video premiering on September 14, 1998. "Space Lord" peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Its music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, featured surreal, satirical visuals spoofing heavy metal tropes with hip-hop influences, including dancers and luxury cars in a Vegas-inspired setting, which amplified its airplay appeal. Follow-up singles included "Powertrip" in 1999, which received a video showcasing frontman Dave Wyndorf in an exaggerated black vinyl bodysuit, and a limited promotional release of "Temple of Your Dreams" in 1998. Promotional efforts included tie-ins with the 1998 tour, where a track from the album appeared on the event's official promo compilation CD distributed to attendees and retailers. Print advertising ran in major publications like , highlighting the record's bold production, while Wyndorf's interviews framed Powertrip as a "big, beefy ball of demented anthems and power rock," drawing from 1980s influences like to evoke escapist, high-energy vibes. These strategies helped "Space Lord" achieve notable on formats.

Tour and Performances

Following the release of Powertrip, embarked on an extensive headlining U.S. tour beginning in July 1998. The band played over 100 shows across North America that year, transitioning from opening for major acts like in early July to co-headlining dates with Far and later in the summer. These performances showcased the album's heavy psychedelic riffs and high-energy delivery, with setlists drawing heavily from Powertrip tracks such as "Space Lord" and "Powertrip" itself. The tour extended to Europe in the fall of 1998, featuring a leg with dates in the and , including a show at London's Astoria Theatre on December 15 alongside . Setlists during this period continued to emphasize Powertrip material, reflecting the album's growing popularity abroad, with the band delivering marathon sets blending new songs with earlier hits like "Dopes to Infinity." European festival appearances earlier in the summer, such as at Germany's Bizarre Festival on August 23 and England's Reading Festival on August 28, further highlighted the album's live adaptability, where tracks like "Cropduster" and "Babbit" translated into crowd-favorite anthems amid the band's signature cosmic rock spectacle. Notable performances included the band's television debut of "Space Lord" on NBC's on August 6, 1998, capturing the song's explosive riffing and Wyndorf's charismatic frontmanship in a studio setting. Live shows emphasized raw energy, with frontman engaging audiences through dynamic stage presence and improvisational flair, contributing to the band's reputation for immersive, psychedelic experiences. The tour's intensity, however, took a toll, as Wyndorf later reflected on the exhaustion from non-stop global travel and performances during the Powertrip era, which strained the group but ultimately reinforced lineup stability in the immediate years after the album's success.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reviews

Upon its release in 1998, Powertrip received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its infectious hooks and the band's evolution toward a more accessible sound while maintaining psychedelic elements. awarded the album stars, highlighting its tight songwriting and powerful delivery as a successful major-label debut that balanced roots with radio-friendly appeal. later gave it three and a half stars out of five, noting the commercial polish that elevated Monster Magnet's gritty style into arena-ready anthems. British publications offered a more mixed response, with some lauding the album's bold accessibility and others questioning its authenticity amid the shift to mainstream production. gave it six out of ten, critiquing the overproduction that sometimes overshadowed the raw of prior works. hailed it as a pinnacle of , awarding a perfect ten out of ten for its diesel-fueled riffs and genre-defining swagger. Later retrospectives placed it among the top heavy metal albums for its sludge-encrusted energy. In retrospective assessments during the 2000s and beyond, critics emphasized Powertrip's influence as a precursor to nu-metal's rise, crediting its heavy, attitude-driven sound amid 1998's landscape of polished aggression from bands like Korn and . Reappraisals positioned it as a high-water mark for , appreciating how it bridged underground stoner scenes with broader appeal. Common praises centered on frontman Dave Wyndorf's undeniable charisma, which infused tracks with larger-than-life swagger and made the album a masterclass in the genre. Criticisms often focused on the diluted tailored for radio play, with some reviewers noting the risked sanding down the band's earlier edge, though this polish was also seen as key to its enduring impact. Overall, the album holds a strong critical consensus.

Cultural Impact

Powertrip marked a significant breakthrough for the stoner rock genre, solidifying Monster Magnet's role as one of its pioneering acts and helping propel the style into mainstream visibility during the late 1990s. As the bestselling stoner rock album to date, it blended heavy psychedelic grooves with punk aggression and cosmic themes, influencing the genre's revival amid the broader alternative rock landscape. The album's success, driven by its anthemic hard rock edge and hip-hop-inspired swagger in tracks like the title song, resonated with audiences seeking escapist, larger-than-life rock anthems. The album's impact extended to inspiring subsequent bands within the scene. Powertrip's lead single "" further amplified this influence, achieving chart success on the Tracks and gaining heavy rotation, which introduced stoner rock elements to wider alt-rock audiences. Its video, featuring bold visuals like dancing girls and explosions, incorporated hip-hop aesthetics, bridging rock and in a way that echoed the era's genre crossovers. Beyond music, "" saw licensing in various media, appearing in video games such as and , where its energetic riffing enhanced gameplay atmospheres. The track also featured in films like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (), contributing to post-release cultural permeation and reinforcing Powertrip's enduring presence in pop culture . In the long term, Powertrip shaped frontman Dave Wyndorf's career trajectory, establishing a template for his psychedelic vision that echoed through subsequent Monster Magnet releases. Following the album's peak, Wyndorf navigated personal challenges, including a near-fatal overdose, before guiding to a creative resurgence with albums like Mastermind (2010), which revisited the raw, spacey energy of Powertrip while maintaining its riff-heavy core. This continuity underscored the album's lasting blueprint for Wyndorf's output, influencing his exploration of themes like freedom and rebellion in later works.

Commercial Performance

Chart Positions

Powertrip marked Monster Magnet's commercial breakthrough, peaking on several international album charts during the summer of 1998, coinciding with the band's high-profile performance on the second stage of . In the United States, the album reached number 97 on the chart and topped the Heatseekers Albums chart. It performed strongly in Europe, attaining number 21 on the German Albums Chart, where it spent 17 weeks in total. On the , Powertrip peaked at number 65 during its single week on the listing. The album's lead single, "Space Lord," achieved significant radio success in the US, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Internationally, it entered the UK Singles Chart at number 45. The title track "Powertrip" saw limited charting, reaching number 29 on the UK Singles Chart. The album charted in the US, , and , reflecting its breakthrough in select international markets.
Chart (1998)Peak Position
US Billboard 20097
US Heatseekers Albums1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)21
Albums (OCC)65
US Mainstream Rock ("")3
Singles ("")45
Singles ("")29

Certifications and Sales

Powertrip was certified by the (RIAA) on January 25, 1999, recognizing shipments of 500,000 units in the ; the album has not achieved certification. The album's commercial performance was supported by robust airplay on U.S. alternative and rock radio stations, where the lead single "" became a dominant track in summer , sustaining growth in the months following release. Estimated worldwide reached 500,000 units by the early , driven largely by the U.S. market, with subsequent reissues contributing to ongoing availability and modest additional revenue through the .

Track Listing and Personnel

Track Listing

The standard edition of Powertrip features 13 tracks, all written by , with a total runtime of 60:37. The album's sequencing blends high-energy rockers with psychedelic explorations, and "" frequently serves as the opener in live performances. No tracks are covers or feature explicit samples, though the music draws on reinterpreted psychedelic and influences.
No.TitleDuration
1""5:32
2"Powertrip"3:31
3""5:55
4"Temple of Your Dreams"4:35
5"Bummer"7:35
6"Baby Gotterdammerung"3:09
7"19 Witches"4:02
8"3rd Eye "5:10
9"See You in Hell"4:05
10""3:26
11""5:06
12"Goliath and the Vampires"4:13
13"Your Lies Become You"4:18
The Japanese limited tour edition is a 2CD set; CD1 adds bonus tracks "Big God," "," and "The Game" to the standard tracks, while CD2 is a live recording titled , featuring live versions of "Temple of Your Dreams," "Bummer," "," and others. Later reissues, such as the remastered deluxe CD, enhance audio clarity compared to the 1998 original while preserving the track order. In November 2025, Powertrip was reissued as part of an 8-LP vinyl with other classic albums.

Core Personnel

The core personnel for Powertrip featured Monster Magnet's lineup during recording, which provided the album's foundational sound through their instrumental contributions and creative direction. handled lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and co-production duties, shaping the record's psychedelic aesthetic. contributed lead guitar, delivering the album's driving riffs and solos. Joe Calandra managed bass, anchoring the rhythmic foundation, while Jon Kleiman performed on drums, powering the tracks with dynamic propulsion. Additional guitar was provided by Philip Caivano and Matt Hyde. This core quartet had been stable since the band's 1995 album , following earlier lineup adjustments in the early 1990s. Sessions were recorded at studios in Hollywood, , with no major personnel shifts occurring amid the process. On the production side, Wyndorf collaborated closely with co-producer and engineer Matt Hyde, who also provided additional guitar support to enhance the album's dense sonic palette. Mixing responsibilities were shared by Randy Staub and John Travis across various tracks, including at The Armoury Studios in , ensuring a polished, radio-ready finish. Stephen Marcussen oversaw mastering, giving Powertrip its expansive, high-fidelity polish.

References

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