In Loving Memory Hold Up High

Monster Magnet, Great Rift

Powertrip A Celebration! presented by Mind Over Matter Music, SIMMCity Wien, Austria 20200216

Sunday evening, maybe not the best night for a concert and for many the time to check music on Spotify playlists, the tip on TV or TikTok. But there is also the option to enjoy veterans of Stoner Rock and the perfectly suitable local support live.

After some Foo Fighters, at the SIMMCity Great Rift has got the honor to open this concert. Since they also played before Black Rainbows, they have been very active, releasing song material and performing with likes of Savanah, Psycho Toaster, Ozymandias, Bird Of Prey and even MC5. Tonight, they convince again with their big riffs and also more quiet tones. Meanwhile the voice seems to grow and the sound affects one’s body, the crowd grows as well.

During the change over, Black Sabbath keep the heads nodding. Headliners Monster Magnet have been all over the place, Nova Rock, Southside and poolbar Festival, you name it. Unfortunately they had to cancel last years Mindfucker Tour which would have included the Lake On Fire Festival, also cancelled by The Obsessed. But now they are back for the “Powertrip” celebration. Among all their amazing records including the more recent “Last Patrol” or also “Monolithic, Baby!”, this album might be their most remarkable. As opening trinity, they deliver “Atomic Clock”, “Tractor” and “Crop Circle”. The neck muscles flex, that’s why at some point “Baby Götterdämmerung” is a beautiful recovery. As closing of the main part, the title track and smashing “Spacelord” (Rest In Peace Olly) are announced with a lot of humor by mastermind Dave Wyndorf. The encore block hits in with a “Superjudge” tune, a tribute to Bob Calvert of Hawkwind and two concluding songs from “Dopes To Infity”. No matter when or how often you might have seen this band, everyone will tell you it is worth it.

And between the shows, screens tell about more interesting live appearances like Ulver, Rammelhof, Grave Digger or Apache 207.