4.5- Kickass
Brann Dailor- Drums
Troy Sander- Bass and Vocals
Brent Hinds- Guitar and Vocals
Bill Kelliher- Lead Guitar
Their first major release after lifesblood. As this cd demonstrates, they are a band to be reckoned with. I first heard these guys on comcast cable's metal station, the song March of the Fire Ants, and i was immediately hooked. Bill Keliher's guitar playing style is so crazy and all over that you never seem to know what is going to happen next. To back that up is the extraodinary and strange drumming tactics of Brann Dailor, with drum fills every five seconds and an all-over-the-place feel. Then there is the singer, strange and yet it holds a musical quality all its own. One of the things that makes Mastodon so interesting is the fact that they dont get caught up in genres, they are their own stlye, they dont define, which is what most bands should do. Probably my favorite band- anyway on with the cd review.
1.Crusher Destroyer-3.5- Beginning with the sound of a mastodons scream, this song is raw and in your face like most songs by Mastodon. The feel of this song is pretty much close to the intro- prehistoric-primordial-barbarix. And it really works in this aspect.
2. March of the Fire Ants-4.5- masterpiece song, also one of their most famous. Starting out with a simple catchy riff, it progresses into a guitar melodic with the singer, making it much more appealing than it even seems.
3. Where Strides the Behemoth-4- much like the first two, with an interesting intro.
4. Workhorse-3- Nothing really special- some domineering qualities but nothing to rave about. Usually skip this one.
5. Ole' Nessie-4.5- Great epic ballad. A beauty in form, including some very interesting, and melodic guitaring.
6. Burning Man- 3- like Workhorse this isn't that special, a little sloppy- seems like a cheap recorded song that would be included on a demo.
7. Trainwreck-4-Intro of a train- ends up brutal and extreme, one of the things that make this album worth it.
8. Trampled Under Hoof-3.5- nothing special but it does have a good feel and mood to it, i usually skip this one.
9. Trilobyte-4- moody, and extremely progressive in terms of guitaring. Starts somber and gloomy and in the end sounds extreme and powerful.
10. Mother Puncher-5- a perfect song- best on the album definitely. From it's seemingly simple first riff (i tried to figure it out and the way i did is actually hard) to it's melodic but heavy guitar. I could play this song over and over.
11. Elephant Man-5- Mastodon's signature slow, instrumental ending to their works. A great way to end this cd. The most beautiful song probably only matched by Leviathan's Joseph Merrick.
Over all- 4 KICKASS
this cd is no doubt a worthy entry into metal history. A kick in the face by a band who deserves to be way bigger than they currently are. Beautiful music form, great riffs (unfortunately Kelliher decides to elave most solos out) kinetic drumming full of energy and brutality. And of course the strange lyrics and melodic singing of Troy and Brent. If you dont have this cd- get it- if you do- i commend you. It never leaves my cd player for even a brief second. The only problem with this album is that it is a little sloppy when compared to Leviathan, it still makes for a great addition to any metalhead's collection.
