REMISSION

Mastodon's first album is in my opinion their heaviest and it got them off on the right foot. Remission is very heavy, with there being no clean vocals and there being lots of very heavy drop A riffs. Fire is a concept on the album, as Mastodon's first four albums have an elemental them going on with them, with this on being fire. It is also about drummer Brann Dailor's sister, who committed suicide, which is where the album title comes from as the album helped the drummer cope with her death. Sad stories aside, the album is very sludge metal like, and it even has some thrash metal like moments going on too. The progressive rock influence also exists, with songs like Trainwreck and Ole' Nessie slowing down and showing the other side to the band.

With very heavy riffs, distorted bass, jazz-like crazy drumming, and non-stop screaming, Remission should appeal to any fan. I wouldn't start with this album as an introduction to Mastodon, but nevertheless, it is a pretty good album.