https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Hdmm304Uw Recorded: 1969 Defiantly Psychedelic in nature, The Open Mind's "Magic Potion" may not sound Heavy Metal in construct but it sure did signpost what was to come. Maintaing a relatively high tempo throughout, "Magic Potion" is built around a semi-monotonous and droning distorted rhythm which embraces the dark nature of Metal, while the generous use of double bass kicks also hint at Heavy Metal without fully embracing its aesthetic. At heart, "Magic Potion" may be a convoluted mix of Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock and Garage Rock but hidden amongst its cornucopia of late 60's experimentation, lies a track both fearless and revolutionary; a song which seems to signify the end of the Psychedelic era and the dawning of Heavy Metal. A relative footnote in the history of Metal, its influence cannot be understated with its uncanny bridging of the 60's and the 70's. Heavy, yet not traditionally so, "Magic Potion" retains its dark edge and fuzzed-up fascination like Psychedelic Rock on steroids, pumped up, ready for a fight and the antitheses of the swinging 60's and its 'free love' ideology. The Open Mind couldn't have been more prescient when they stated we'd be seeing things you never saw before; dangerous and unprecedented changes were on the horizon, Metal was one step closer.
I love Heavy Metal, and generally anything that involves a guitar and loud noises, so I figured it was about time I put all the useless information in my head to good use and start writing a few things. Most of the time I'll be writing nonsense but occasionally I may surprise myself and appear half-way knowledgable.....but you can be the judge of that. Thanks for your fleeting attention!