All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Tiny Mix Tapes

This is a great record, if it is a record.

Read Full Review >

100

Alternative Press

For an elite cadre of sound warriors, the disc perfectly bridges Slayer's demonic metallic riff majesty with the maniacally convoluted dynamics of French prog-rockers Magma. [Dec 2005, p.216]

Stylus Magazine

The compressed, cleaned-up ferocity of Hypermagic Mountain is a leap of refinement in every way, a sign that the band, while lushly unripe, is ripening gracefully.

Read Full Review >

All Music Guide

At its most chaotic, Hypermagic Mountain could tear open a wormhole into Comets on Fire's Blue Cathedral.

Read Full Review >

Dusted Magazine

Essentially, the Brians don't really need to innovate that much anymore and instead are just fine-tuning their craft in glorious ways.

Read Full Review >

Playlouder

What blessed bastardry is this? It's bloody brilliant, that's what it is.

Read Full Review >

Junkmedia

Better than anything they've recorded to date, Hypermagic Mountain approximates the swelling energy of Lightning Bolt's live havoc.

Read Full Review >

New Musical Express

Slightly less lo-fi than previous efforts--although as it blends together Slayer, Japanese noisecore and warp-speed prog intricacy, sound recording fidelity is a relative concept. [5 Nov 2005, p.45]

Neumu.net

Listening to Hypermagic Mountain is like picking up the live end of a downed power line.

Read Full Review >

ShakingThrough.net

For the initiated, there’s true primal joy to be heard in this mammoth creation. You’ve just got to be willing to shed those tightly guarded notions and listen.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

Their heaviest to date. [Nov 2005, p.108]

Blender

The world's heaviest band turn out to have metal's lightest touch too. [Nov 2005, p.137]

Village Voice

Underneath all the scuzz and spasm, though, they're a groove band, hustling a hard-edged experimentalism you don't have to work hard to enjoy.

Read Full Review >

Prefix Magazine

Even with its brief lapses, Hypermagic Mountain is Lightning Bolt’s most accomplished effort to date, one-upping 2003’s Wonderful Rainbow with a fresh sense of maturity.

Read Full Review >

Dot Music

Although "Hypermagic Mountain" is no less a terrifying, red-eyed and rampaging behemoth than its predecessors, the duo have unleashed a beast that assumes a more recognisable form.

Read Full Review >

Mojo

Lightning Bolt consistently sound like no one else. [Dec 2005, p.105]

Splendid

There are no breathers in Hypermagic Mountain. There are only a series of knuckle sandwiches in the form of throbbing, distorting, gesticulating low-end ear bleeders.

Read Full Review >

Urb

One of the most rewarding and noisy records of the year. [Jan/Feb 2006, p.103]

Delusions of Adequacy

If you were into Lightning Bolt before, there is no reason you won't absolutely love this album. If you were sort of sitting on the fence with them before, this may be the album that converts you into a fan.

Read Full Review >

PopMatters

With just enough experimentation to hint at new and future directions, while seamlessly blending improvisation and smartly conceived songs, Hypermagic Mountain is Lightning Bolt's finest achievement to date.

Read Full Review >

Entertainment Weekly

If what this drums-and-bass duo does with infernal noise is your thing, you're a pretty happy camper. [28 Oct 2005, p.89]

Pitchfork

It finds the band climbing toward some unknown peak, and while it attains great heights, there's also a now-again sound of wheels spinning, and every reason to believe LB still haven't reached their ultimate destination.

Read Full Review >

cokemachineglow

Hypermagic Mountain absolutely trounces nearly every other act in its general stylistic area. Regrettably, however, the duo’s fourth album lacks the formal and emotional peaks and valleys that encourage listening and re-listening to albums in other less hectic and punishing genres.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 6.2 (out of 10) based on 90 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Allan X gave it a10:
In order to truly appreciate the madness that is Lightning Bolt, one must utilize a proper set of speakers rather than the puny headphones all those naysayers are using. You see, this stuff is pure sonic weaponry. The thrill of listening to it could be considered similar to other tests of one's fortitude, such as consuming hot chili, or imbibing vast amounts of strong liquor. Hypermagic Mountain should come with a warning on the cover about the proximity of pets and small children to whatever device is comissioned to... "emit"... this stuff. Don't like your neighbors? Perhaps a well-placed bolt of lightning will scare 'em away, if you know what I mean. Put it on your stereo, turn the speakers towards your resident enemies, and blast away!

Jason B gave it an8:
It's appeal is far from universal, and its not a record I'm compelled to constantly listen to. That said, this album is worth hearing for fans left-field music who can actually stomach a bit of dissonance and noise (as opposed to the weak-kneed, limp-wristed, mincing pansy fairies claiming this is "just noise" or "not music").

Andy H gave it a10:
Brilliant, mesmerizing, and almost does justice to their live show.

Sean P. gave it a10:
I've seen polarized views, but this is definitely the apex of what i've seen. 5.6 overall customer rating, pockmarked with 0s, 1s, 9s, and 10s. Haha, and as it should be, because this is absolutely a love-it-or-hate-it work of art. You're either on its wave-length, or you're denounce it as trash halfway through the first song. I'm the former, and i will not be able to live without owning this music. My girlfriend is the latter. So be it. Lightning Bolt has accomplished its mission. A cult they remain. And boy am i glad to be in that cult.

Giant Panda gave it a10:
awesome!

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
Since this album was released, I never thought I would like it. I heard tracks from it and thought it was far too intense. But when I saw it in my local record store, I picked it up. And it's intense, like I thought it would be. What I didn't expect is for it to be listenable. Even less expected was how good it is. It's complete chaos, but it's complete chaos at its finest.

Matt D gave it a0:
Proof that hipsters will buy into anything.

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Hypermagic Mountain

Album Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases