CRACK THE SKYE

This is my first Mastodon album I have heard in full, and I am very happy with it. I highly recommend this album even if you are just a fan of prog. This entire album is very different than any other songs I have heard by Mastodon. Gone are the harsh shouting vocals that Brent Hinds used to have. Most of the vocals are clean vocals, with Brent Hinds and Brann Dailor (not certain, I may be mixing him up with Troy Sanders) singing most of the time.

One important note, the drumming on this album is very superb. Brann Dailor is probably the best new drummer of our time. He always keeps on the beat and every dozen seconds or so includes small fills. His best shows of his drumming skills on this album are Quintessence and The Last Baron.

The guitar riffs/bass lines and guitar solos are not amazing but excellent. Brent Hinds definitely shows his skills though.

The theme for this album is ether and it definitely shows. The entire album has surreal eerie feeling to it. The track I recommend most are the first four and the seventh. If you are a fan of progressive metal, this album is for you.