Hypermagic Mountain
by Lightning Bolt
  • Record Label: Load
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2005
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 106
  3. Negative: 31 out of 106

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  1. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 22, 2022
    8
    "Anyone who doesn't enjoy this album has a small penis."
    So true Metacritic user RonJeremy
  2. MilkMan123
    Oct 30, 2019
    10
    I'm really hard right now. Because of this album i am no longer impotent if you do not like this album chances are you are impotent.
  3. rvdawesome
    Jan 3, 2014
    10
    I love this album. It's amazing. It's a really heavy album, so maybe that's why so many people don't like it. It's incredibly dense for an album consisting of only a bass guitar and drums. A lot of people just see it as just noise, and it pretty much is, but it is perfectly crafted noise. It's standout songs are 2 Morro Morro Land, Captain Caveman, Magic Mountain, Dead Cowboy, and BizarroI love this album. It's amazing. It's a really heavy album, so maybe that's why so many people don't like it. It's incredibly dense for an album consisting of only a bass guitar and drums. A lot of people just see it as just noise, and it pretty much is, but it is perfectly crafted noise. It's standout songs are 2 Morro Morro Land, Captain Caveman, Magic Mountain, Dead Cowboy, and Bizarro Zarro Land.… Expand
  4. AllanX
    May 5, 2007
    10
    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. 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!… Expand
  5. JasonB
    Apr 5, 2007
    8
    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").
  6. AndyH
    Mar 8, 2007
    10
    Brilliant, mesmerizing, and almost does justice to their live show.
  7. SeanP.
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    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 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.… Expand
  8. GiantPanda
    Jan 14, 2007
    10
    awesome!
  9. MattD
    Dec 19, 2006
    0
    Proof that hipsters will buy into anything.
  10. JesusChrist
    Dec 1, 2006
    10
    This album is the shit. I suspect that people listening to it in the complacent settings of their own home with muffled stereos feebly blasting away may not be astute enough to get the gist of what lighting bolt is all about... you have to see them live at least once THEN listen to this stuff, which is secondary to their live act really. But I'm giving it 10 anyways cause no This album is the shit. I suspect that people listening to it in the complacent settings of their own home with muffled stereos feebly blasting away may not be astute enough to get the gist of what lighting bolt is all about... you have to see them live at least once THEN listen to this stuff, which is secondary to their live act really. But I'm giving it 10 anyways cause no recording will ever do justice to the noise these guys make.… Expand
  11. JamesO
    Dec 1, 2006
    9
    self-indulgent? pretentious? these terms have never stopped music listeners before. whether it be pete townshend claiming the who to be the only band that matters or robert plant stuffing his crotch. it's obvious this album is sending people to the 10's and the 0's and that is definitely what it is trying to do. love it or hate it, you cannot deny this album is completely self-indulgent? pretentious? these terms have never stopped music listeners before. whether it be pete townshend claiming the who to be the only band that matters or robert plant stuffing his crotch. it's obvious this album is sending people to the 10's and the 0's and that is definitely what it is trying to do. love it or hate it, you cannot deny this album is completely original and originality is something that should be valued.… Expand
  12. chrisg
    Oct 26, 2006
    0
    Are ya freakin' kiddin me? A TOP 10 Album of the year? This sounds like the aborted love-child of Marilyn Manson and an Al Quaeda beheading...
  13. LoganK
    Sep 8, 2006
    10
    Such polarized views! Lightning Bolt puts out amazing albums and even more amazing live shows.
  14. luke
    Aug 13, 2006
    1
    what the !@#$%^^$@@$!##@%#%@!!????
  15. JeremyK
    Aug 11, 2006
    5
    I'm scared....Honestly...I will give them a respetful nod to originality, energy, and musicianship...At the same time, I admire a well-done avant-garde listen...Maybe I'll track it a few more times.
  16. DavidT
    Jun 8, 2006
    0
    You can easily get the same effect without leaving your own home! Place a large metallic receptacle (bucket or cooking pot) over your head and bang with a large mallet repeatedly. For best results turn on every appliance in your house and leave running whilst doing this. Voila! A droning, masochistic waste of time!
  17. adams
    Jun 5, 2006
    9
    shocking. who are all these chodes who love boredom and hate fun? why are they listening to this record?
  18. pepevision
    Jun 2, 2006
    9
    Ridiculously complex art-metal that comes highly recommended for fans of Black Dice, Wolf Eyes and extremes in general. Old-timers like me can recall Japan's frantic duo Ruins (the only real Lightning Bolt precedent that I can name), but this is even more enjoyable. Although the sounds are extreme, the sense of playfulness (sample trackname: "Captain Caveman") and exploration makes Ridiculously complex art-metal that comes highly recommended for fans of Black Dice, Wolf Eyes and extremes in general. Old-timers like me can recall Japan's frantic duo Ruins (the only real Lightning Bolt precedent that I can name), but this is even more enjoyable. Although the sounds are extreme, the sense of playfulness (sample trackname: "Captain Caveman") and exploration makes this a fantastic listen.… Expand
  19. GarethM
    Jun 1, 2006
    0
    Shocking. This isn't music.
  20. FredD
    May 31, 2006
    0
    Really bad album.
  21. JodyK
    May 26, 2006
    0
    Really, really bad album.
  22. PhilBrontly
    May 25, 2006
    0
    What a waste of time.
  23. AngelaM
    May 23, 2006
    1
    I don't know what happened to the various reviewers and online critics, but this is the worst album I have ever heard. I think those who are rating this album highly are doing so in a pathetic attempt to differentiate themselves in an admittedly stagnant world
  24. WilsonP
    May 22, 2006
    0
    Sounds like twelve year olds making noise in their basement.
  25. JackT
    May 20, 2006
    10
    Spectacular !!!! breathtaking!!!
  26. DeanF
    May 17, 2006
    0
    A great example of the sounds on the periphery, and what a sorry state music as a whole is in.
  27. CaseyP
    May 15, 2006
    9
    It's obvious why so many people wouldn't like this, but I love it. Dead Cowboy for example is one of the best songs I've heard in a very long time.
  28. AKaplan
    May 3, 2006
    9
    people dont know what pretentious means, obviously, because this isnt it.
  29. RyanK
    Apr 24, 2006
    0
    People who rate this album highly are pretentious posers. Listen to this album to hear the sound of a band disappearing up its own ass.
  30. funkink
    Apr 16, 2006
    10
    relentless. I'd never listen to anything else, that is, of course, if i can sew my ears back on and scoop my spattered skull from the wall behind me.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2005
44
#44 Most Discussed Album of 2005
52
#52 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    100
    This is a great record, if it is a record.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    90
    At its most chaotic, Hypermagic Mountain could tear open a wormhole into Comets on Fire's Blue Cathedral.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    90
    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
See all critic reviews »