new Mastodon

[Shpongled]

You guys heard this yet? It's awesome. This is one of those rare bands where I prefer the new stuff compared to older material. This album continues in that trend. About 2 years ago, a buddy of mine mentioned the vocals on The Hunter sound reminiscent of Ozzy, and ever since then I can't unhear it. It's not a bad thing at all.

The Motherload is currently my favorite track from the album.

 

[buzz21]

Totally agreed on "The Motherload" - that song is a hit regardless of what kind of music you listen to! I like the contrast between the vocal parts and the ghosting effects they have on them - plus it 'aint so bad to have a song that is uplifting!

My other favorite is "Ember City" - that one seems to capture a nice mix of all their styles. The end riff on "Aunt Lisa" is the best riff on the whole album but I'm on the fence with the chant vocals from the Coathangers....I wish they would have played that riff out for a little longer while Brent did some kind of wild solo over it.

All in all I'd say this one sounds like a logical next step in their maturity - a mix of styles capturing where they are at this point in their life. I'd like a few more guitar solos and maybe a few more heavy parts, but it is on repeat right now and I'm digging it. The one spot where it falls short is the last song - there seems to be a lot of room for them to add some different riffs and some solos and it doesn't have the impact as an ender that something like "The Sparrow" did with that awesome Pink Floyd part and a legendary solo.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

I love this album.

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

I will have to check it out.

 

[Talking Backwards]

Thanks a lot for posting this. I had no idea that a new album was already out by them, and they are easily one of my favorite bands that started releasing material from the 2000s onward.

Also, I never thought the vocals sounded like Ozzy at all, although I can hear some similarities in timbre and possibly the way some of the notes are drawn out, but that's about it. Ozzy is the last popular vocalist I would consider as someone with any vocal talent.

This song is great by the way, but it has more to do with Brann's vocals than anything else to me. My favorite song off of The Hunter was "Dry Bone Valley"...

On a side note, his vocal style somewhat reminds me of Mikkel Sandager circa The Hours That Remain.

 

[buzz21]

I heard a definite Ozzy vocal influence on Crack the Skye, but not as much on this one. I got turned onto Mastodon late - during the CTS run, and then I went back and discovered the back catalog which totally drew me in. I have bits and pieces from all these new songs floating in my head now....this will hold me over until the new Opeth and then that should hold me over until the new Sanctuary comes out!

 

[Talking Backwards]

this will hold me over until the new Opeth and then that should hold me over until the new Sanctuary comes out!

Heritage really pissed me off. It showed the end of the style of music the band I had fallen in love with long ago had perfected. It ended up being tied with Damnation as my least favorite Opeth album, but I can't honestly call it bad. I can say though that I am really digging "Cusp of Eternity" and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat looking forward to Pale Communion.

Funny anecdote; my best friend could never get into the band due to the death vocals, but said he thought the music was awesome and he liked pretty much every song the band did that was entirely clean. Eventually he somewhat came around to being able to appreciate the dichotomy and said the music wouldn't have the same feeling without it, but he still really only would listen to Ghost Reveries.

He will probably dig this album too.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

It's weird how they're (Mastodon) so accessible. People that don't listen to metal often like them. They kind of feel like a band that should have been happening in the 70s, and got thrown through time 40 years.

Edit-30 years. >_>

 

[Talking Backwards]

It would be 40 years if you're talking about today, and not when they released their first album. Because I wouldn't really consider Remission and Leviathan "accessible".

 

[neal]

if someone put out Lifesblood or Remission in the 70s peoples heads wouldve exploded

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

Really? I think Leviathan is very accessible, especially Seabeast. Everyone loves that song.

 

[Shpongled]

I never got into their old stuff, even with multiple attempts spread across many years. It's just not accessible to me. The new stuff most definitely is.

 

[rebirth]

Lame release

Sad singing

2/10

Drumming keeps this from 0/10



I am not kiddin you all.....

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

Just got it. Upon first listen I am enjoying it but I need to digest it a bit more to see how much I like it.

 

[buzz21]

After repeated listens, "Ember City" has really taken the title of best song for me - hard to imagine that even if somebody doesn't like the new stuff that they wouldn't at least agree that song has it all....great riffing, solid chorus and a fantastic guitar solo....

 

[~Lynn~]

fucking digging it Motherload ftw. It's like Cliff Burton has been reborn....

 

[rebirth]

Death Stars the band eats e alive with their

New cd

Better lyrics as well