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. 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
  2. MikeC
    Mar 7, 2006
    8
    I'd be lying if I said that this album is a ten, but it's a hell of a record. I mean I understand why some people wouldn't like it, it takes a good listen to hear how these two guys were able to do all this with just drums and bass. I find it to be a shame that some people don't bother to give it a good listen. Like all good music it takes a while to fully understand. I'd be lying if I said that this album is a ten, but it's a hell of a record. I mean I understand why some people wouldn't like it, it takes a good listen to hear how these two guys were able to do all this with just drums and bass. I find it to be a shame that some people don't bother to give it a good listen. Like all good music it takes a while to fully understand. Amazing album.… Expand
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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!
  6. ptowns
    Oct 30, 2005
    2
    no thanks, just nothing there i liked
  7. true
    Feb 6, 2006
    10
    it's happening. my ears have lost all elasticity. every other album i own is a pile of second-rate joan-baez-influenced pussy-footing around the point. "But what is the point?" i hear you ask, you poor innocent. DERH! DERH-DERH-DERH- D-D-D-DERH! (that's from track four). makes death from above seem like your little sister's casey-casem mix tape. oh no...
  8. KurtCobain
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    This album is as close to an ass raping as I want to experience. Rocks the hizzouse.
  9. WX
    Oct 28, 2005
    10
    Balls-out perfection and madness. Lightning Bolt captures what
  10. 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.
  11. MarkS
    Jan 16, 2006
    2
    This isn't music, it's noise. And it's "indie" for a reason.
  12. MattD
    Dec 19, 2006
    0
    Proof that hipsters will buy into anything.
  13. Matt
    Nov 5, 2005
    3
    I give it 3 points because this music has its place in the music world. But I don't hear the melody, and it grates on me a lot. Might have been a bit better with stronger vocals.
  14. JackT
    May 20, 2006
    10
    Spectacular !!!! breathtaking!!!
  15. AKaplan
    May 3, 2006
    9
    people dont know what pretentious means, obviously, because this isnt it.
  16. GarethM
    Jun 1, 2006
    0
    Shocking. This isn't music.
  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. ToniC.
    Oct 31, 2005
    0
    it's not music. it's just noise.
  19. MarkR
    Oct 30, 2005
    1
    Intense is not the same as good. Where are the hooks and the melody that u can return too?
  20. MichaelM
    Jan 20, 2006
    0
    A pretentious barrage of noise, and badly mastered. I'm amazed by people jumping on the bandwagon claiming this will expand your mind, all it really does is give you perspective on how bad an over-hyped album can be.
  21. FredR
    Feb 8, 2006
    0
    Thought this would an eye-opening album. Tame riffs over drums which have been pushed into the backround wrapped in whining distorted vocals. A mediocre and unimaginitive album.
  22. bolisj
    Apr 16, 2006
    1
    I guess this forum gets mostly polarised posts from 'reviewers', but I was quite intrigued to find so many bad reviews for a record that rated so highly among the music press...so I thought I should check it out for myself. Well, it's true: this is an almost totally self-indulgent, pretentious, cacophonic mess. If you think firing a shotgun full of paint pellets onto a I guess this forum gets mostly polarised posts from 'reviewers', but I was quite intrigued to find so many bad reviews for a record that rated so highly among the music press...so I thought I should check it out for myself. Well, it's true: this is an almost totally self-indulgent, pretentious, cacophonic mess. If you think firing a shotgun full of paint pellets onto a canvas is art, you might dig this to … Expand
  23. 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.
  24. 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
  25. 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").
  26. JonnY
    Nov 1, 2005
    7
    Great music! But only for 5 minutes, then you get a headache.
  27. aland
    Nov 2, 2005
    9
    you're playing the wrong game if you're looking for "hooks and melody." pl-ease. cry me a sufjan.
  28. jims
    Nov 2, 2005
    9
    Ahhhh, pussies, all of you! You might not like them, but Lightning Bolt are not noise .They're about as structured and as melodic as it gets. They're a rock band, and I mean that in the best, and most intense way possible. They take really conventional elements like riffs and melody and blast them into the stratosphere. A lot of people label Lightning Bolt as noise, but Merbow Ahhhh, pussies, all of you! You might not like them, but Lightning Bolt are not noise .They're about as structured and as melodic as it gets. They're a rock band, and I mean that in the best, and most intense way possible. They take really conventional elements like riffs and melody and blast them into the stratosphere. A lot of people label Lightning Bolt as noise, but Merbow is noise, even something more structed like Wolf Eyes is a lot more noisy than the Bolt. What I always liked about LIghtning Bolt is how much they rock. Wonderful Rainbow was actually dissapointing because it seemed to tone down everything that I liked about Ride the Skies so much. This album perfects it. There's still a child like exuberence on some of the tracks, but most of this record points to the direction of earth searing rock and roll. The bass tone is thicker and has more depth, and the drums are destructive. Despite appealing to the art crowd and scensters, this music is purely visercal and goes right for the heart, with no intellectualizing needed. It's abrasive, but in the most melodic and uplifting way possible.… Expand
  29. AdamX
    Nov 4, 2005
    10
    Where are the hooks and the melody?! Lightning Bolt's music is more or less solely comprised of hooks, riffs and melody! It might not be in the same casual format you're used to, but you're clearly not listening hard enough. Just because it is drums and a bass guitar cranked up to 11 doesn't make it devoid of merit. It's pop music, just very loud and utterly Where are the hooks and the melody?! Lightning Bolt's music is more or less solely comprised of hooks, riffs and melody! It might not be in the same casual format you're used to, but you're clearly not listening hard enough. Just because it is drums and a bass guitar cranked up to 11 doesn't make it devoid of merit. It's pop music, just very loud and utterly inspiring pop music!… Expand
  30. KMapMaples
    Nov 7, 2005
    8
    This music has more sheer, raw power behind it than just about anything I have heard since, well...Raw Power (Iggy & the Stooges, you sorry uninitated sap).
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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 »