Release Date: June 27th 2025. Record Label: I:AND:I Recordings. Formats: DD
Magnum Dopus - Tracklisting
1.The True and Indisputable Meaning of Rock and Roll 03:36
2.Still Aint Dead 03:42
3.Taxi Driver 04:11
4.Love in the Time of Apocalypse 04:21
5.Hail Mary 02:49
6.Just Your Disguise 05:13
7.Daisies 02:36
8.Faithful Man (Lee Fields Cover) 04:23
9.For My Children 02:41
Members
Mark Aceves - Everything
Review
Magnus Dopus is the debut album from ACEVES aka Mark Aceves from Doom/Stoner Rock heavyweights ZED who dedicated this album to his father Jose J Aceves and band mate Sean William Boyles within a year. The record isn’t too far removed from the sound that ZED were known for but with ACEVES injecting a Punk Rock and Classic Stoner Rock sound. The album feels inspired by the likes of MC5, Motorhead, The Stooges, Black Sabbath and KISS.
ACEVES plays with a fast-paced and highly unapologetic in your face sound that plays fast and loose with the rules of Stoner Rock with the record also having a “BACK TO BASICS” approach with the production values used for tone and delivery of the album. The record can be full on PARTY MODE but ACEVES delivers with his own determined charm, warmth and superbly witty lyrics to match. There’s a classic QOTSA vibe appearing within the majority of the tracks with tracks such as The True and Indisputable Meaning of Rock and Roll, Still Ain’t Dead and Taxi Driver making a lasting impression very early on.
Mark adapts an OUTLAWS persona which allows his Punk Rock creative energy allow the record to be played at a highly exciting and fresh pace that even has an old-school Pop-Punk sound developing at times before a thuggish Stoner Rock sound levels things out for the better. The record doesn’t shy away from some tough times that Mark has been through recently on tracks such as Love In The Time Of The Apocalypse, Hail Mary and Daisies.
ACEVES even finds the time to add elements of Electronic Rock with subtle Trance beats which should appeal to music fans outside of the Stoner Rock spectrum at times. The vocals are intriguing throughout with ACEVES developing and performing multiple different styles which has real warmth and human emotion to them.
A lot of Stoner Rock musicians have released solo albums recently and usually move away from the music they’re known for, so Mark deserves real credit for sticking to what he knows with Magnum Dopus. Though, that’s not to say he tries new things here which he does but the majority of the music is mostly from the Stoner Rock realm. The later stages sees ACEVES developing a fuzzy and aggressive love affair with the FUZZ which should impress fans of FU MANCHU and CLUTCH and even the mighty ZED of course.
Magnum Dopus is a grand musical adventure with ACEVES delivering an action packed, catchy and superbly entertaining record. If ZED is currently on long term hiatus then ACEVES could have a long term and exciting future of his own if he keeps releasing great records such as this.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the promo.
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