Mastodon is unique. They’ve released three LPs- each representing fire, water, and earth respectively. The water element album is the horrific tale of Moby Dick, while the earth album is about a Werewolf that goes to cure his disease and all the troubles he encounters along the way. And how can you dislike them when the two singers have rediculously manly beards and Borat approves???
Honestly, Mastodon is probably the manliest music I have ever heard. Don’t believe me? Just listen to “I am Ahab” off the water album, Leviathan. Sure, it isnt the heaviest music ever invented, but that’s not what makes music manly. It’s the feeling that you really are hanging out with Ahab hunting some goddamned white whale. It is this manliness that is forcing me to do one amazing review of TWO Mastodon albums: Leviathan and Blood Mountain.
Leviathan-
(yes, this is the albums actual art- I know- its badass as hell)
BLOOD AND THUNDER
“I think that someone is trying to kill me
Infecting my blood and destroying my mind
No man of the flesh could ever stop me
The fight for this fish is a fight to the death
White whale – holy grail”
Are you fucking scared yet? I am. Mastodon begins this album with a bang. While other bands (my own included) will sometimes build up sound and slowly begin the album, Mastodon just gets straight to the relentless metal. Each song is at a different tempo than the last, and with bands like Dragonforce on the rise, changing tempos is a welcomed thing.
As the album progresses on, you be noticing how awesome the music of Mastodon is, but something that is overlooked greaty on Leviathan is the drumming. The drummers style is more of a jazz-metal fusion than the shitty rock drumming of metal like Disturbed or the fake metal of Trivium or Atreyu. (Sorry just wanted to band bash for a few moments.) The man on the far left of the Borat picture is the brains behind the percussion, and his intelligence shows. The way the music shifts through time signatures is highlighted by Brann Dailors jazz fills and Neil Peart style snare/hi-hat work. He fully utilizes his kit in every song. He doesn’t quite rank up there with mathjazzcrazyrock drummer Zach Hill (I’ll cover him in a few weeks) or Volta’s Thomas Prigden, but Brann is possibly the best drummer in Metal.
Enough about drums. Metal fans want the guitars- and there is definately no shortage in that area. Instead of playing endless solos, Mastodon chooses to play more difficult rhythm parts in three octaves, or adding on dark, sometimes dissodent second guitar parts. If you’re more keen on solos, then Mastodon probably isn’t for you- BUT- before you don’t listen to them, realize that what could be a solo for a normal metal band is a Mastodonian (I just coined that right there) riff that the bass and guitars are playing while the duel lead vocals are chiming in at the same time.
I dont want to get started on amazing the lyrics are, so I wont. Just listen to this the first time while reading the lyrics (preferrably buy the album, because of amazing album art both on the cover and lyric booklet)
Album highlights are – Iron Tusk, Seabeast, Aqua Dementia, and Hearts Alive (which is in fact a 13 and a half minute epic.) Also, stick around after Hearts Alive for a much softer instrumental tribute to the elephant man.
Album lows- None actually. Fucking amazing. What I like is that what sounds like screaming is sometimes, but other times it is just a REALLY REALLY deep voice. If you’re turned off by “screamo” shit, then I don’t care. Listen to this anyway. It is definately not “screamo,” and it is some of the most well-thought out cared for music around.
Blood Mountain-
Oh yea that’s the album cover. Seriously, this cover should be enough for you to want to buy this.
So, was that last album metal enough for you? No? Oh- well too bad. Cause this one is less metal in the literal sense, but in the metaphorical sense this album is metal as all hell. Still confused?
Just listen to “Capillarian Crest” – parts of it bring forth that crazy punk math rock of The Fall of Troy, but still keeps that same Mastodon sound. Mastodon also brings on Josh Homme of QOTSA for an epic song, Cedic Bixler-Zavala of Volta for one song (how do you think I heard of these guys?), and Isaiah Ikey Owens for another tribute to the elephant man at the end- “Pendulous Skin” – which contains one of the best rock/blues solos in a while. “Bladecatcher” jumps into Melt-Banana (Agata) style noises that could either be inverted squealing OR an effects pedal. Who knows?
The HIGHLIGHT of this album all around, and the largest improvement made by Mastodon on Blood Mountain is the vocals. You might actually find yourself singing one of their songs. Seriously, Scott does it all the time. Instead of rediculously deep vocals and growling, they go for the slightly less deep singing, growling, and beautiful harmonies. Yes. That’s right. Harmonies. Look no further than the bridge on “Colony of Birchmen.” I shall say no more regarding this subject.
As always, the guitars are brutal, the bass is brutal, and the drummer is a tight and crazy as ever. Basically, if you liked the last album, you’ll like this one either just as much or even more depending on your style of music.
Album Highs- The fucking crazy story you have to figure out to belive, Sleeping Giant (along with the video), Circle of Cysquatch (its about a one eyed sasquatch that can see into the future), and Siberian Divide.
Album lows- none unless you’re a bitch.
Beard FTW
I just downloaded some mastodon on your recommendation. You’re right. Its good solid stuff.
My boyfriend makes me listen to Mastodon while we drive around aimlessly. It’s okay. You’re right, it is definitely ‘man music’. I can feel the testosterone seeping out from the speakers. Kinda kills the mood. But being a petty girl, I listen to music for the lyrics and a catchy beat. One day, I hope to live up to his musical expectations. I just threw away my Spice Girls cd, and of course, backstreet boys. Classics.
much props giving these two incredible albums great reviews. i’ve been into mastodon for awhile and had the pleasure of seeing them live– i definitely recommend. if you don’t have it, by the way, get Remission.
Fuck you Rob, this music deserves to be bought, not downloaded.
Hey, I downloaded Blood Mountain, and when I realized it was so good, I bought Leviathan. Downloading music does not hurt the artist as much as everyone tells you Mcfag. If you really want to support the band, go ahead and download their music, but GO SEE THEM IN CONCERT and buy their merch. Bands only make money by touring and merch, so that is the ultimate way to help them out. Although I agree with you, out of music that deserves to be bought, Mastodon is high on the list for sure.