CRACK THE SKYE

The most negative thing that I would have to state about this album here is that it doesn't have the rich dyanmics that made the previous album so punchy.A good example of rich dyanamics would be almost all of the works of Primus simply because there are only three instruments playing along with only one vocal,which leaves plenty of good space out there for the instruments to have that highly satisfying punchy attack for Les's bass and Alexander's drums.This is something that I really like.I can also do with those huge walls of sounds that prog bands are so famous for doing,leaving little breathing room.But I don't know,I just don't feel that this album is superbly effective in this state.But I still would have to also state that is still very pleasurable to hear Mastodon's various textures constantly intertwining eachother throughout this monster.

They are indeed still very technical in their work and for some reason many people turn down the singer's vocals.But I can't find anything truly wrong with it as far as undeserving dissonance goes.They sing in the right keys and usually double octaves and kind of,shall we say, slur their speech just a tad.But I think this only adds to the prog in their music since their vocals are somewhat different to the mainstream and even indie vocals you usually hear.And I am ALWAYS for that!

And though Brann's drumming may not be in the limelight like in the last albums,his smooth flow throughout is still quite necessary for keeping their amazing wall of sound from being too much.I guess he has restrained himself this time because if he went all out on this album then,because the way the sound was mixed, his drumming might have become muddy.

Overall,there is not one red-headed child in this album period so the unique musical fluid that this band produces in this album is constant and wonderful throughout.The innovation of this band is truly jaw-dropping and is ever-evolving,contributing a worthy cure in Crack the Skye that could be a vital soution to the increasingly experimental majesty that is metal.

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