CRACK THE SKYE

For my first Prog Archives review, I will tackle Crack the Skye. An unexpected masterpiece from a band that has never disappointed me, but has never blown me away either.

Crack the Skye is an album of nearly unparalleled beauty and power. It's not quite as hard-hitting as their prior works, but what it lacks in punch it makes up for in vision. This is a singular work that sticks out from the rest of their albums. It flows smoothly throughout its 50-minute runtime, building to a satisfying and almost heart-breaking conclusion. They hit all the right notes here, conjuring up some wild emotions while simultaneously rocking hard.

The most striking thing about this album is how much these guys have evolved. They keep elements of their old sound, but for the most part these guys are brand new. There has been a steady progression from their early days up to Crack the Skye, and I feel that Mastodon have hit a creative pinnacle with this masterstroke, one that is unlikely to be matched by any band this year, and one that is unlikely to be matched by the band themselves for years to come, if ever.

Even if you don't like Mastodon's older work, this is an album you need to listen to.