Last Updated: 12 February 2026
Bongzilla formed in 1995 in Wisconsin, quickly producing songs themed around Marijuana. Not much is known about the early years of Bongzilla, except for their feature on a bunch of split and EP releases between 1996-1999. The first being Mixed Bag, which was released on Rhetoric Records in 1996.
Followed by a split record with MeatJack and a 7″ EP, Hemp for Victory (named after the vintage educational/propaganda film of the same name), which was put out on Thunder Lizard.
Bongzilla eventually signed to Relapse Records the same year as Hemp for Victory was released in 1998, putting out their first release on Relapse Records, Methods for Attaining Extreme Altitudes, released on CD in January 1998. The band then went on to make annual appearances at Milwaukee Metalfest, with notable appearances in 1999 & 2000. Bongzilla’s debut studio album, Stash, saw release in April 1999 which gained positive reviews from critics. A few split records shortly followed with Corrupted, Noothgrush and Dystopia entitled Twin Threat to Your Sanity.
In 2009, Bongzilla quietly took a hiatus, with their last known show being Forward Fest. In April 2015, Bongzilla announced it was reforming and heading on a tour of Europe, including dates in Doomtown, Temples Festival and a single date in NYC. Which was also followed by a four-date tour of West Coast America, East Coast America and an appearance at Desertfest Belgium.
Since their reformation, Bongzilla have been very active with tours, shows and releasing split records and a release of Weedsconsin. In early 2020, Bongzilla started their own label called Gungeon Records, releasing a reissue of their classic album, Apogee. However, in March 2020 it would be announced that Cooter Brown would retire from the band due to health and family reasons, with the band choosing to continue as a thunderous three-piece.
Bongzilla in January 2021 announced they had signed to the Italian label Heavy Psych Sounds, and the fruits of this signing are Dab City.
Dab City is an ode to the purest form of THC and their hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, which has a nickname of “Mad City”. Since the 60s, Madison has been a social and political hub tucked in the banks of Lake Mendota.
The band managed to get hold of some of the finest THC and somehow managed to record around 60 minutes of pure, huge riffs to analogue tape, recording to tape has given this record a unique sound with a subtle vintage character.
The album commences with the substantial and eponymous track, a twelve-minute-long musical exploration known as “Dab City”. This is a colossal work of resonant, deep-toned sludge riffs, reminiscent of prehistoric weightiness and possessing a heaviness that rivals the force of Earth’s gravity.
The rhythmic drum patterns provided by Mike ‘Magma’ Henry, in collaboration with the distortion-drenched bass from Jeff ‘Spanky’ Schultz and the effervescent, electrified guitar from Mike ‘Muleboy’ Makela, create a mesmerising soundscape that persists throughout the entirety of the album.
King Of Weed brings more blues-infused elements into sharp relief. With its more melodically orientated lead riff and resonant bass line, this track has a distinct BLACK SABBATH-like flair. It serves as a brief, potent surge of energy situated between Dab City and the fourteen-minute-long and similarly lengthily named musical behemoth, Cannonbong (The Ballad of Burnt Reynolds as lamented by Dixie Dave Collins).
This particular piece is a cryptic tribute to marijuana and bongs, layered with cinematic-style narration atop resonating, monotonous sludge riffs and percussive drum explosions. C.A.R.T.S, somewhat akin to King Of Weed in its essence but slower in tempo, witnesses BONGZILLA truly focusing on the slow, expansive, and blues-infused rhythms, providing a swift jolt of energy midway through the album. Hippie Stick and Diamonds And Flower carry on in a similar vein, energising the latter half of the album while maintaining its hypnotic allure.
The final track, American Pot, is a stoner anthem that crescendos into a groove so infectious, it compels you to nod your head in approval.
It is a triumphant nine-minute odyssey into the world of stoner rock.
Dab City embodies a straightforward, unwavering, unpretentious, and thoroughly chilled-out musical journey, demonstrating why BONGZILLA stands as one of the few cult-favourite bands inspired by cannabis culture. Regardless of whether you’re a consumer of marijuana or not, if you’re seeking to unwind under the sun for an hour with some deeply grounded stoner riffs, this album is a must-listen.
Bongzilla “Dab City” Rating: 9/10
You can preview/purchase “Dab City” below and check out their socials and Heavy Psych Sounds below also.
Bongzilla links:
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify
Heavy Psych Sounds links:
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | YouTube
