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~Rael~
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Topic: Mastodon Posted: August 31 2009 at 21:53 |
So, Mastodon is a band I have never gotten into. I always thought they were just another screaming metal prog band (and I do not mean for that to sound derogatory). And now I listen to their new song Oblivion, and I am blown away. Instead of screaming, there are tons of clean vocals, even a lottle harmonizing, mixed with beautifully intricate and melodic instrumentation. What happened? Somewhere this band changed. Is it just the new album? I'm definitely getting it after hearing that amazing song.
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I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress . . .
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TheProgtologist
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Posted: August 31 2009 at 22:12 |
I love everything Mastodon has done and Crack The Skye is an interesting chapter in the progression and growth of this band,who I consider one of the most important prog metal bands of this decade.
The new vocal style was a pleasant surprise.The only thing about the album that disappointed me was that drummer extraordinaire Brann Dailor toned things down a bit.
I don't know if the changes in the bands sound will continue on whatever album they release after CtS,but I like them either way,so it doesn't matter,
Edited by TheProgtologist - August 31 2009 at 22:12
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Dominic
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Posted: September 01 2009 at 00:52 |
Well, "Crack the Skye" is probably Mastodon's most "accessible" album
yet. After you've grown accustomed to their style, if you still dig
them, i suggest checking out "Leviathan" & "Blood Mountain" in
order to not miss out on more beautiful (although abrasive) music.
TheProgtologist wrote:
Crack The Skye is an interesting chapter in the
progression and growth of this band,who I consider one of the most
important prog metal bands of this decade. |
 Fo' sho.
Edited by Dominic - September 01 2009 at 00:55
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GoldenSpiral
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Posted: September 01 2009 at 09:42 |
In my opinion, Leviathan is still the best, but Crack the Skye is great and is miles better than Blood Mountain.
Blood Mountain sounds to me like they were trying to make Crack the Skye, but couldn't decide quite what to do with the album. CtS is much more streamlined and consistent.
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J-Man
Prog Reviewer
Joined: August 07 2008
Location: Philadelphia,PA
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Posted: September 01 2009 at 18:59 |
I love Mastodon as well!  Not for the same reasons you do (being that I love screamy prog metal  ), but they are a great band.
Edited by J-Man - September 01 2009 at 18:59
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Moatilliatta
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 01 2005
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Posted: September 01 2009 at 19:41 |
GoldenSpiral wrote:
In my opinion, Leviathan is still the best, but Crack the Skye is great and is miles better than Blood Mountain.
Blood Mountain sounds to me like they were trying to make Crack the Skye, but couldn't decide quite what to do with the album. CtS is much more streamlined and consistent. |
Blood Mountain doesn't sound like that to me exactly, but I do agree that it's clear that they were trying to transition with that album with mixed results. It blew me away the first time I heard it, and then started to lose weight with each listen. I still enjoy it quite a bit, but its definitely not their best.
I also agree that Leviathan is still their best, but Crack the Skye is nearly as good. Let's not forget about Remission either. That's a great, albeit really heavy, album.
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www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph
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Petrovsk Mizinski
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Posted: September 01 2009 at 20:43 |
Mastodon was always f**king good man, nothing wrong with the screaming, that was part of the style mang.
And yeah, as with Chris (and Chris, goddamn 2 Chris' in one thread lol) I think Leviathan is still their peak and CTS is in second place.
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Dim
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Joined: April 17 2007
Location: Austin TX
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Points: 6890
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Posted: September 01 2009 at 20:59 |
Leviathan>Cracke the skye>>>>Blood Mountain.
I really love the song hearts alive, one of my favorite guitar solo's from the group. Leviathan is just really fresh IMO. While I cant help but feel that the group sold out with CtS, I still really enjoy it, except the last song. Blood mountain is too samesy for me, while the wolf is loose and bladecatcher are really good, every song follows the same tempo, same flow... I dont know, I just cant get into it.
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~Rael~
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Posted: September 01 2009 at 21:13 |
Hey, don't get me wrong. I love screaming prog, and screaming metal in general. Some interesting stuff going on out there with deathcore. And my favorite band is Opeth. So, definitely not averse to screaming. This new Mastodon stuff just threw me for a loop the first time I heard it.
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I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress . . .
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GoldenSpiral
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Joined: May 27 2005
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Posted: September 02 2009 at 10:35 |
Ah yes, much love for Remission as well. March of the Fire Ants was the first mastodon song I ever heard and my jaw hit the floor. I didn't know anyone made music that heavy.
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TheProgtologist
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Joined: May 23 2005
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Posted: September 02 2009 at 11:37 |
GoldenSpiral wrote:
Ah yes, much love for Remission as well. March of the Fire Ants was the first mastodon song I ever heard and my jaw hit the floor. I didn't know anyone made music that heavy. |
First song I heard from them too.When Remission came out a friend of mine who is a very accomplished drummer said to me...."Dude,you gotta hear this new band Mastodon.Their drummer is f**kin SICK!!!!!"
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Jozef
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Posted: September 02 2009 at 11:40 |
I enjoy what I've heard from Mastodon so far. I've only listened to "Crack the Skye" but I found it to be excellent and I'm interested in checking out the rest of their work.
They are coming to town to play with Dethklok in a few months, so that should be an interesting show.
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TheProgtologist
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Posted: September 02 2009 at 11:41 |
I'm seeing them on the tour with Dethklok too.
Saw both bands live on their last tours and both were excellent.
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sleeper
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 09 2005
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Posted: September 02 2009 at 17:34 |
TheProgtologist wrote:
I love everything Mastodon has done and Crack The Skye is an interesting chapter in the progression and growth of this band,who I consider one of the most important prog metal bands of this decade.
The new vocal style was a pleasant surprise.The only thing about the album that disappointed me was that drummer extraordinaire Brann Dailor toned things down a bit.
I don't know if the changes in the bands sound will continue on whatever album they release after CtS,but I like them either way,so it doesn't matter, |
Its saying something when Dailor can tone things down and still blow most drummers away. This is a band that gets better with every album, but I must be one of the few that think Blood Mountain is better than Leviathan.
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Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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~Rael~
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Joined: April 11 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 247
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Posted: September 10 2009 at 08:11 |
Yeah, after hearing "Crack the Sky"I'm definitely thinking about seeing them with Dethklok. I think CtS may be the best CD I've heard so far this year. It is just amazing.
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I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress . . .
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Tarquin Underspoon
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Posted: September 13 2009 at 20:16 |
~Rael~ wrote:
I think CtS may be the best CD I've heard so far this year.
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Yep, I totally agree. I've got high hopes for the new Porcupine Tree album though....but that's irrelevant. I love all of Mastodon's stuff, but CtS is just on a whole different planet.
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"WAAAAAAOOOOOUGH! WAAAAAAAUUUUGGHHHH!! WAAAAAOOOO!!!"
-The Great Gig in the Sky
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Dominic
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Joined: January 02 2008
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Posted: September 13 2009 at 22:25 |
Remember fellas, be sure to share some impressions with us if you see Mastodon while they're on tour. I'll be seeing them in couple months and i'll be sure to report back here with all my interpretations of the beautiful experience.
Edited by Dominic - September 13 2009 at 22:25
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Moatilliatta
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 01 2005
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Posted: September 13 2009 at 22:45 |
Yes, I'm really looking forward to seeing them and Converge (and Dethklok). What a show that's going to be.
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www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph
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Petrovsk Mizinski
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Joined: December 24 2007
Location: Ukraine
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Posted: September 13 2009 at 22:51 |
^f**king hell, Converge and Mastodon at one show, enough to cream yourself 10 times over really. Man I'm glad I took your suggestion to listen to Converge, Chris, they've quickly shot up to be one of the most inspiring bands I've ever heard
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J-Man
Prog Reviewer
Joined: August 07 2008
Location: Philadelphia,PA
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Posted: September 14 2009 at 14:30 |
I'm still debating whether or not I should give Crack the Skye the honor of a 5 star album or not...
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