This seems like mastodons Load to me.
Think about it. They also had an excess of material and this is a further streamlining of their sound.
Good thing I like Load and Reload

Album Rating: 2.5

Its more like the hunter is load and this is the black album

Idk. CTS was Justice and Hunter was the radical change just like Black album.

Album Rating: 4.0

fuck metallica this is mastodons "once more 'round the sun". sounds legit am i right?

Album Rating: 3.0

Not impressed on first listen either. Will wait til release and jam it in my car to get a better picture. First impressions were

some tracks are catchy, Hinds ruins songs with his vocals on this and the final track drags with the vocals by Kelly being poor.

Album Rating: 3.0

first 2 songs are the best so far.... kinda get downhill after that.

Album Rating: 4.0

not by a longshot. it gets better actually

Album Rating: 3.0

less harsh realities of Crack The Skye would bring many new fans to Atlanta band

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

im p glad this isnt a load

Album Rating: 3.5

Mastodon goes boogie metal on next release, just you wait and see. then we'll talk load or not.

Album Rating: 4.0

Enjoyed reading this review - looking forward to hearing this album. I loved The Hunter (eventually) so it looks like I'll love this one too.



What's preventing the album from going above 3.5 for you?

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

asleep is the best song theyve written since leviathan

Album Rating: 3.0

damn that's one of the more boring ones on the album

Halloween has my attention atm. Very good work from Troy on the bass.

Asleep boring? Nah

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

these guys were at their best when they werent too busy wankin it to write songs, see: asleep,

leviathan

Album Rating: 4.0

digging ember city hard. i could argue the title track is a little boring but the others arent

Ember city has sweet drumming and the best chorus they've done but that goofy riff they keep playing at the start is lame.
Da da da daaaaaa
One thing that really surprised me is Brann. We all knew he could sing but wow.

There seems to be a lot of beating around the bush holistically. You only mention one track in the album.

Album Rating: 3.5

I think Emerald City is terrific. It has one of the greatest Mastodon solos. And , to be honest, I like Brent's vocals. Don't ask me why, maybe because of songs like Pendulous Skin and The Czar/Last Baron.

Brann's vocals are a little generic. He is good but not for being the main singer. Not to mention his vocals are kinda polished this time.