CRACK THE SKYE

Crack the Skye, crack it with some heavy epic shit!!! This album is a great piece of unique progressive metal. What makes it so unique is it isn't completely metal, or prog. Hell it isn't even 50/50. Its a great mix of various elements of both metal and prog. It borrows the intense intricate guitar riffs of such classic metal bands as Metallica and Iron Maiden. The guitar work is very well developed, riffs the build in intensity than meld into really tight and enjoyable grooves, than back and forth again. When it comes to prog elements these guys really had an eye on some of the great premier prog bands. Elements of Wakemans and Wrights atmospheric keyboard styles are well crafted into songs such as The Czar, Oblivion and The Last Baron. The albums concept, a parapalgic whose spirit travels to space and than ends up in rasputins body after traveling through a wormhole echoe early Genesis, Camel, and King Crimson. The vocal harmonies from all band members make this a real treat compared to earlier Mastodon albums. Throughout the bands discography Brann Dailor's drumming has been very pleasing to the ears. A very unique style that borrows heavily from Jazz traditions, Dailor proves that he is a great modern drummer. One that I believe we will look back on in the future as the Phil Collins or Bill Bruford or Carl Palmer of the time, which over you prefer. Dailor is definetly developing chops equal to these greats. The whole band is definetly crafting thier skills. I feel that if they continue building on the strengths of Crack the Skye and Leviathan they will create more epic prog masterpieces.