Monster Riff was never intended to be a music review site. When I started this website back in 2019, it was supposed to be a personal side project, something I could play around with in my spare time. At the time, I had hoped Monster Riff would be a place to tell the stories behind […]
Read More Monster Riff’s Top Stoner Rock & Doom Albums and EPs of 2021As the editor of Monster Riff, I get access to a ton of awesome music before anyone else. Whether it’s a press release or a simple email from a band member, I often receive links to never-before-heard tracks. And some of them are absolutely awesome. I’ll listen to the album, write up a review, push […]
Read More How to Release Your Stoner Rock Album Without A Record Label Behind YouFu Manchu is one of the most loved and revered four-piece bands in the Stoner Rock world. Formed in 1985, they have released 12 studio albums, with their debut No One Rides for Free hitting the shelves in 1994. Fu Manchu has a loyal and devoted fan base that is drawn to them for their […]
Read More Asphalt Rising: The High-Octane Meanings Behind Fu Manchu’s Lyrics, Themes, and AlbumsIt seems like everywhere I look, people are interested in learning more about Stoner Rock or its many cousins—Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock, Desert Rock, Doom Rock, and Grunge. Stoner Rock is notable for its combinations of riff, tempo, and groove, but there’s much more to it than that. Much of what we associate with Stoner […]
Read More How to Record Stoner Rock On A BudgetPicture this: You’re behind the steering wheel of a rusted out van. Beneath you, the tires roll and bump over the uneven desert ground. The cool evening wind whips through your open windows, and bits of sand and grit slip into your hair. Above you, a full moon spills onto the desert vista. Far away, […]
Read More The Birth of Desert Rock: The Legend of the Generator Parties