The Atomic Bitchwax was a secondary band for
Monster Magnet
guitarist Ed Mundell, having been formed back in 1993 before
releasing a debut album in '99.
The self-titled debut retains a bit of Magnet's penchant for
all things 70's, but is otherwise a different animal, being much
more energetic, uptempo, and guitar-driven.
Much of the album has an improvisational/jam feel to it, with
Mundell's blues-based guitars really coming alive.
They fit very well in the current stoner rock scene, even though
they lack some of the
Kyuss/
Fu Manchu
cloning of others in that arena.
The band released a followup in 2000, but announced its breakup
in early 2002 following Mundell's departure,
just around the time a then-final EP, Split Blood, was released.
But by early 2004 the band was back together, with new guitarist
Finn Ryan taking over for Mundell.