Petr Fric Dude, ive been listening to it over a week and it kicks ass, the riffs, the drumming is awsome.What about Jaguar God, that is an amazing album .I love all their stuff, yes the last 2 where more mainstream, but they are still better than most of the bs out there.
A band like Mastodon reaches new heights when they can receive criticism for masterful triple volcalism, dynamic two-way guitar sensationalism, and impeccable percussionist contribution. They set such a high bar for themselves that people are obliged to criticize, but perhaps we should sit back and appreciate that complex and dynamic metal still exists. Music lives. We are lucky.
Man, this record is the best thing to hit my ears this ear and a lot of records have ringed my head so far, but this is by far the best. When I can't skip a song on an album to get to the next because the current song is also amazing, the whole album is a solid winner. I felt the same way about the new Korn offering. I did NOT feel the same about the overly hyped sort of a let down new Metallica. Mastodon have yet to put out a bad album and I really don't even think they're capable of doing so. I respect this band more than any other because they've given us the massive Mack truck crushing records like Remission and Leviathan, then gave us a solid punch in the nuts with Blood Mountain, then gave us a warped time portal with Crack the Skye, then brought us back from that dimension with The Hunter and Once More Round the Sun... and now I honestly feel Emperor of Sand encapsulates a bit of all. So what I'm saying is if all I had to listen to were Mastodon records and was banned from hearing anything else, I'd still be a happy camper
Nobody hates Mastodon more than Mastodon fans. Maybe they do deserve some criticism, but not this much hate, they're an amazing band, the fan bitching is unfair.
Steambreather, Jaguar God, Roots Remain, Precious Stones, Andromeda, Words To The Wise... so many good songs! One of their finest records. Also dont understand the hate towards their last two records, they never made a bad record and Im just gonna enjoy the ride and the evolution they are having and will continue to have, cant wait to see them live in June! Ok review.
Hunter and Once More... Are good albuns, if a new band released two albuns like thoose they would get praise, but in the Mastodon catalog they are not theyr best. I think Mastodon grow when working with a subject and making a bigger history.
I give it a 4.5/5. Ive been a fan since the gold ol days of Mastodon since Leviathan, and this band has grown into legendary metal status to me over the years. Listen to each album in a row and watch how the band has evolved. Amazing band!
How can you not talk about Steambreather? That song is the best song I've heard in last 5 years. Also, this album is among the best in the last decade.
This album might be the the most consistently good and cohesive list of tracks put out by any band in years (IMHO). Perfect order, no weak points or "skippers"... just a solid friggin effort, unique sound without seeming too experimental. I can't recall the last time I liked a whole album so much. Individual tracks, sure, but not an entire collection. "Not an excellent Mastodon record...", he says. PFFFFT, I say.
Emperor of Sand is a masterpiece. Mastodon is one of those bands that puts art before everything and it shows. I'm enjoying this album a lot! Much love from a longtime fan
I disagree a lot about cataloging Oblivion inside of that tradition of more poppy/accesible songs like Curl of the burl, High Road or Show yourself; for me it's an intricate song, it's just because of the clean vocals and the catchy chorus? I think it's much more deeper than the other's mentioned.
Sam how did you not talk about Jaguar God? It's arguably the best song on the record and one of the best they've written in years. Great review regardless.
This album is amazing. Evolving is what bands do, people seem to love whining when there is any kind of change. It feels like each album has been building to this, in my opinion It's the most Mastodon sounding Mastodon album they've made.
I am another long time Mastodon fan... and I can't stop listening to this album. I love it, and they continue and further solidify as my favorite band. This is a good review, really well examined and honest in opinion. I personally like these recent directions of the band, and hope they continue to do whatever they want to do, because that will be the truest expression of this incredible band. These guys craft amazing and intricate songs, and they oscillate between so many different styles. Musicianship is top notch, and to me, the inspiration,creativity, and production are incredible. I hope they can ignore that audience that wants them to be what they want them to be, and know that they will always have a following doing whatever they want to do
Absolutely agree with you there on "Roots Remain". I knew once I heard it, it'd be tough to beat. Loving the CTS elements on this record. I always enjoy your reviews, Mr. Dunn. Metal up your ass!
Thus album is everything at once.. Its got elements of all their previous albums... Its a monster and a beauty... Im so pleased with it as a mastofan... Its got to be top four if not top three mastodon albums .. Its up their with Leviathan and CTS.. Its beautiful. Its brutal.. Its weird.. Its everthing I love about mastodon in one album.
I feel like the term "Progressive metal" is lost on a lot of reviewers. This is not their best album, but definitely top 3, of my personal favorites. And it's probably at 9/10, at minimum. Also, I'm lost on your verdict. Mastodon is the exact opposite of hipster metal
Sam! How could you review this album and leave out Jaguar God!?!? It might be the coolest track on the album and seems to be a fan favorite already. The only song on this album that I dislike is 'Show Yourself' It's by far the Warner Bro. radio single. I dig every album this band puts out. They grow in a way that doesn't alienate me as a fan. I can almost predict what the next album will sound like because each album shows hints and glimpses what is going to come next. This album for me is more entertaining than Hunter and Once More and close to Crack the Skye. It may not have progressed a lot but it damn sure doesn't disappoint. 4 out of 5 for me.
For some reason this album is really resonating with me, having lost my mom less than a year ago... the emotion on this record is palpable, and I feel that it's best to take it in as a whole. There might be the occasional chorus that wears out its welcome, or not as many riffs as I would like at times, but I feel like this is easily better than Blood Mountain, and probably my 4th favorite Mastodon album overall. It keeps getting better the more I listen.
I think it's great. The old and new combining for something I think actually is a step forward. They seem to be reaching for everyone in this album, newbies and old heads alike. Word to the Wise and Ancient Kingdom are standouts for me. They remind me of a heavier Rush, Yes, or Genesis when they were making accessible prog rock that allowed a new crowd to dig in. It's proggy, psychedelic, anthemic and has great replay value. 4/5 for me. Just under CTS and Leviathan, right around Blood Mountain level.
I sorta shared your opinion on some of the middle tracks but after listening to the album some more it just keeps growing on me (Like when they released "Show Yourself", at first I was like WTF? But after listening to it a couple of times I just love it.) so I've really come to enjoy this album. Question is where it stands in 6 months for me but I would expect fairly high on the Mastodon list for me.
It was Sam's multi-part documentary "Metal Evolution", and specifically, the episode on Prog Metal that put me on to Mastodon in the first place. While not really a comment on this video, this is the closest forum I have to pass on my thanks to him. So, thanks, Sam. Your work has certainly changed my life for the better.
I love Mastodon. Sure, their albums lately don't appeal to those people who grew up on their older material. But, I love how they can pull off those melodies and still have great riffs.
Yes Jaguar God is such an amazing tune the build up from beginning to the part starting at 5:02 my God!!! The vocals slamming in, with that riff along with the lead breaks just fuckin nails it!!
Mastodon is straight up ear candy to me! I know many have become disillusioned by their "accessibility/ commercialization" in recent years? But, I will compare them to a band more from my era who have continually kept pushing their sound forward and evolving... The mighty Voïvod!! Thru the musical history of each of these bands both started out much more aggressive and abrasive but have evolved a more complex tapestry to suit their growth as musicians IMO. I grew up with Voïvod and evolved my taste with them. From the snarling thrash of "War & Pain" to the more tempered "Angel Rat" and beyond! To me Mastodon is just progressing the same way and I for one love it!
I disagree 100%. This album is perfect. How can you miss on Clandestiny, Ancient Kingdom, Jaguar God, Andromeda..? My rating of Emperor Of Sand: 10 ouf of 10. It's a much better album than Once more round the sun, the hunter or blood mountain. It might even be their greatest album. The competition is rude with Crack The Sky and Leviathan.
How can you be so critical about Emperor of Sand while praising naive "thrash metal" riffs on Metallica's latest album. Did Lars give you one of his Picasso's?
1:06 you call renovation controversy really? Why there's always this need in reviews to categorize, put music in a box, compare if it sounds like the old stuff. We are not today the person we where a year ago, how can your music not change along the time?
I've made that mastodon and queens of the stone age comparison when it comes to show yourself. That's exactly what I hear when I listen to That song. No disrespect of course. I'm a fan of both bands.
With regards to Show Yourself being "more a kin to Queens of the stone age or Foo Fighters than Rush", really Sam? I mean, I agree it's the most radio friendly track but one of the best Rush prog albums is "A Farewell to Kings" and that had Closer to the Heart on it. A song that gets played ad nauseum on Q107 to this day.
The contrast between Sultan's Curse and Show Yourself is simply staggering. How we can go from an ethereal, epic, sludge classic like sultan followed by such a corny radio rock song in just 2 tracks is just...i can't even describe it. I'm just glad they continue their arena rock influence, i fucking love how astronomically gigantic their sound is.
this guy kills me, he either doesn't like an album cause it doesn't sounds like the band early material or doesn't like an album cause it's sounds too much like something they've done before lol
I am glad that I could get out of this "metalhead bubble" along the years therefore I understand but most of all able to recognise and enjoy those elements in Mastodon's music that is refused or hated by long time fans who still wants their another Leviathan... For me the best ever work of Mastodon is Cold Dark Place. That is a fucking masterpiece.
I don't know why these guys get such flack. Every thing I've heard from them is quality stuff. The Hunter got me into them. Also don't mention Tool because they aren't nearly as talented as Mastodon.
I love this album. It may be my second favorite of their discography after Crack the Skye. I feel as though it's a perfect return to form with plenty of new elements and songwriting that blew me away. 4.5/5 for me. Probably my favorite album of the year so far.
Would you consider Jazz-Fusion or Jazz influenced Death Metal to be added as a sub-genre of Death Metal with bands like Death (Invidual Thought Patterns Album), Atheist, Cynic, Gorguts, Pestilence (Spheres Album)?
To me, Mastodon is a collection of elements which when used in combination elevate a track beyond the sum of its parts. Among these are driving riffs, ethereal soundscapes, surprising song structure, contrasting vocal textures, and yes, even big catchy hooks. I believe they make very intelligent music in that it is at once complex, unexpected and unique, but often accessible and catchy at the same time. I find this album has tracks that balance that uniqueness and catchiness in differing degrees, but there are certainly no tracks that fail at both-- in fact, most succeed at both with flying colors. I will forgive them more vanilla tracks like Show Yourself, because they also manage masterpieces like Jaguar God which take you on a complete and fulfilling journey through their entire range of capabilities. My conclusion is ultimately that I love the album. But then again I love The Hunter, which seems to be unmentionable to many Mastodon fans, so what do I know?
Nice review. Informative introspective and intelligently articulated. I'd like to touch on a few points not brought up in the review. First being the guitar solo on ROOTS REMAIN. This was a bone crusher and certainly worthy of acknowledgement. Second point is my disagreement about the reviewers take on Ancient Kingdoms. This song goes through several different tempo changes, like 4 polar opposite directions being pulled magnetically back to center by the deeply articulated subject matter. Easily this song could be a lesser bands crowning achievement yet Mastodon pull it off with such slickness it understandable why it was not a noteworthy standout for the reviewer. Finally there is Jaguar. I cant find in recent memory a closing tune by any other band that is on equal footing. Thanks for reading.
I think I saw one other review months ago, but you actually playing parts of the song before some of us get it is, well... REVOLUTIONARY!!! Like a review with samples of the songs at the same time.
God damnnnn I love reading comments like "how did they not mention jaguar god" and other songs.. just shows how fucking killer this album is. I love mastodon so much
Honestly, I dont found inconvinient, boring or bad about the "I've heard that before in other album", when bands get to points wheren finally foun their own sound, that means they have master riffs, melodies, tones, etc, that became really good at it, is like complain to a painter or graffic artist for always using the same visuals.
I know what Neurosis sound like. And Times of Grace is probably my favourite album of all time. That said they really don't sound that similar. Sludge is a genre based on catchy, powerful riffs. A lot of those sound the same (which is why so much of Mastodon sounds like filler songs probably, everything blends together), that doesn't really make one a copy of the other or even much inspired by the other. Mastodon has some Neurosis inspired stuff, but High Road is not one of those. At least if it was inspired by Neurosis (which I doubt at this point in time), it doesn't shine through that much.
I still think it's a pretty solid album. Lots of hooks and tasty guitar riffs, and those drums! Brann has never disappointed me on any record. Hell, this album is 100% better than most trash currently being made by the majority of modern bands. Love em or hate em, Mastodon is the real deal.
In my humble opinion, Mastodon is one of the only bands that hasn't released a bad album yet, and out of the post Crack the Skye period, Emperor of Sand is my favorite one.
I've only listened to a couple of this guy's reviews, and I end up disagreeing with at least half of what he says every time. Same was true here. Don't think I'll bother listening to one of his reviews again. For me, with Emperor of Sand, Jaguar God is one of the top two tracks - and should have been mentioned. And Scorpion Breath, which the reviewer highlighted, was the least stand-out track for me.
From the clips here this album sounds very Crack the Skye-ish which was there last truly great album in my opinion. I'll definitely be giving this a few listens
So far my favorite post Crack the Skye album. Have to give it more time before I could say it beats anything pre CTS. Their albums always get better with repeated listens so who knows....
I love how even their album art reflects their return to harder and sludgey that the last two albums were mostly missing; their font is back to what it was before the hunter.
Favorite Riffs anyone? Feel free to describe or throw the time in. I'll give a few 1. The 2 in The Czar's bridge 2. Black Tongue sick and heavy riff after "You can run to the sea, you can run to the forest" part 3. Andromeda duh 4. About everything off Leviathan - Iron Tusk 5. Tread Lightly Chorus riff with the bend
Hahahah, i laughed so hard when he reviewed Roots remain, he spoke about details like robot voice and piano at the end but never about the crazy heart ripping solo, he just skipped it
I'm not okay at all with you on this review. We can all agree that "Emperor of Sand" is a "Crack The Skye" with sounds from "Blood Mountain" wich, to me, makes this album a perfect blend. I disagree on your vision of the songs because to me the album really took me away from "Steambreather" until "Clandestiny". Those songs are EPIC ! They are the densest and the more refined compositions this guys realised. Not saying the other songs are bad, they just did not hit me with the same strength !
I got this album,spin it 1 time & didn't think much of it. But then I played it again a few weeks later & I was blown away. I have spun the album many times. Over & Over. First 5 songs are the best & Jaguar God is by far 1 of their best tracks
man you didn't mention jaguar god.. That's for me the best song in the album. And I mean you didn't even say the name of the song like it wasn't even there
if you are going to do a song by song review, actually do all of the songs, specially the best songs like ancient kingdom, word to the wise and jaguar god
How come you can use some short audio clips from the album without getting the video blocked ? Is it because the durations of those short clips ? Or maybe you've made a deal with the label ?
Took me more than a couple of times to listen to this album and like it. But now that I've heard it so much, I love it! This is my opinion of course, but if Show Yourself was not on the album, the flow would be perfect from start to finish.
There is a song with a robotic voice but it's not the part you played on Roots Remain. IMO the one you played sounds like a demon and is pretty badass.
Benein Is that really a bad thing though? Sure it's not neccessarily on Blood Mountain level, but if this is someone's intro to Mastodon it's a damn fine intro. It's like comparing Hardwired.... to Master or Brave New World to Seventh Son. Is it as good as they were at their peak? Probably not. Still doesn't make it less of a damn good record
"I feel like I heard these songs before"... then they change it on next album... "They have gone astray from their style". No one complains more than metal fans, except maybe jazz ones. ZzzzzZzz...
I don't get what's wrong with accessible songs. I think those songs sound a bit like something The Sword would do, but with better vocals (The Sword make great music but the vocals are average).
![Mastodon - The Making of Emperor of Sand [Full Documentary]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lj4cbYAWUqg/mqdefault.jpg)
![Mastodon - The Making of Emperor of Sand [Full Documentary]](/img/tr.png)
Best Mastodon album since Crack the Skye, very good, great job
damn am I the only one who thought this album was fire? And I've thoroughly listened through and quite enjoyed their entire discography...
also, solos, solos, and solos.
Petr Fric This actually may be my new favorite album by them!! Every song is solid and they flow perfectly!!
Petr Fric Dude, ive been listening to it over a week and it kicks ass, the riffs, the drumming is awsome.What about Jaguar God, that is an amazing album .I love all their stuff, yes the last 2 where more mainstream, but they are still better than most of the bs out there.
closer
You're not alone bro. Crack The Skye will always be my favourite Mastodon album, but Emperor of Sand is definitely in their top 3 IMO.
A band like Mastodon reaches new heights when they can receive criticism for masterful triple volcalism, dynamic two-way guitar sensationalism, and impeccable percussionist contribution. They set such a high bar for themselves that people are obliged to criticize, but perhaps we should sit back and appreciate that complex and dynamic metal still exists. Music lives. We are lucky.
The clean vocals on this album are incredible, especially from Brann.
Lucas T agreed. I fell Brann is the all around best musician in the band.
Wow, I have never heard of some of the biggest music legends ever. You guys must be really fun to talk to in person.
That first part was directed toward the other guy. It is also possible to discuss opinions without sounding like an ass, I am only reciprocating.
everyone you just listed sings operatic....that is not mastodon they all have voices of their own. I think troy really stepped it up in clandestiny.
How you didn't like Steambreather or Clandestiny I'll never know
Brent Kossina Steambreather rules
the lyric and melody of Clandestiny is so great! What a fantastic song!!!!
Those are two of my favs on the record. Hell, ALL are some of my favs on this record.
Brent Kossina Steambreather is killer!!! Not to mention that would be a badass band name lol
I can't wait to get the album in CD form and play Steambreather in my car, the stereo cranked up full blast.
Man, this record is the best thing to hit my ears this ear and a lot of records have ringed my head so far, but this is by far the best. When I can't skip a song on an album to get to the next because the current song is also amazing, the whole album is a solid winner. I felt the same way about the new Korn offering. I did NOT feel the same about the overly hyped sort of a let down new Metallica. Mastodon have yet to put out a bad album and I really don't even think they're capable of doing so. I respect this band more than any other because they've given us the massive Mack truck crushing records like Remission and Leviathan, then gave us a solid punch in the nuts with Blood Mountain, then gave us a warped time portal with Crack the Skye, then brought us back from that dimension with The Hunter and Once More Round the Sun... and now I honestly feel Emperor of Sand encapsulates a bit of all. So what I'm saying is if all I had to listen to were Mastodon records and was banned from hearing anything else, I'd still be a happy camper
Stratking01 completely agree with what you said, Mastodon is my favourite band of all time
Not gonna lie, this is quickly becoming my favourite Mastodon album. Every song! It has got to that point where every song is just epic!
Nobody hates Mastodon more than Mastodon fans. Maybe they do deserve some criticism, but not this much hate, they're an amazing band, the fan bitching is unfair.
Sultan's Curse, Steambreather, Roots Remain, Andromeda, Scorpion Breath, Jaguar God... all KILLER songs and instant classics... this album is 10/10
5:55 Troy sings that part, not Brann
For sure. Glad someone else noticed. Probably a simple mistake, but still.
Tony Pelletier I think they will edit it. Banger is a really good channel!
Agreed. I loved the Metal Evolution doc and I was happy to see this channel existed. Never ending debates about Metal? Sign me up, haha.
Tony Pelletier for sure. Sam also does really great documentary movies! Like banger: a headbangers journey and the Rush one are both amazing
They're singing both ;)
Steambreather, Jaguar God, Roots Remain, Precious Stones, Andromeda, Words To The Wise... so many good songs! One of their finest records. Also dont understand the hate towards their last two records, they never made a bad record and Im just gonna enjoy the ride and the evolution they are having and will continue to have, cant wait to see them live in June! Ok review.
Is this because of the same reason as because they are not sounding like they used to? that might be the cause of hate.
Hunter and Once More... Are good albuns, if a new band released two albuns like thoose they would get praise, but in the Mastodon catalog they are not theyr best. I think Mastodon grow when working with a subject and making a bigger history.
I give it a 4.5/5. Ive been a fan since the gold ol days of Mastodon since Leviathan, and this band has grown into legendary metal status to me over the years. Listen to each album in a row and watch how the band has evolved. Amazing band!
this album is my favourite Mastodon record. that is all.
Love this album. Surprised no mention of Jaguar God. That's my fav, along with Steambreather.
How can you not talk about Steambreather? That song is the best song I've heard in last 5 years. Also, this album is among the best in the last decade.
Yeah man, Steambreather is my favorite track on the album at this point and he just skipped right over it.
Jeffrey Dean He also missed Andromeda. Tf dude
Akshit Jha album hasn't been out long enough to be praised like that. You must really like these guys..
Akshit Jha sultan's curse, andromeda and steambreather are cool AF..
Steambreather was the first stand out track that i could not stop replaying
This album might be the the most consistently good and cohesive list of tracks put out by any band in years (IMHO). Perfect order, no weak points or "skippers"... just a solid friggin effort, unique sound without seeming too experimental. I can't recall the last time I liked a whole album so much. Individual tracks, sure, but not an entire collection. "Not an excellent Mastodon record...", he says. PFFFFT, I say.
Emperor of Sand is a masterpiece. Mastodon is one of those bands that puts art before everything and it shows. I'm enjoying this album a lot! Much love from a longtime fan
Yeah 5 years of listening to this album. It's a masterpiece.
I disagree a lot about cataloging Oblivion inside of that tradition of more poppy/accesible songs like Curl of the burl, High Road or Show yourself; for me it's an intricate song, it's just because of the clean vocals and the catchy chorus? I think it's much more deeper than the other's mentioned.
Sam how did you not talk about Jaguar God? It's arguably the best song on the record and one of the best they've written in years. Great review regardless.
This album is amazing. Evolving is what bands do, people seem to love whining when there is any kind of change. It feels like each album has been building to this, in my opinion It's the most Mastodon sounding Mastodon album they've made.
Sultans Curse, Streambreather, Andromeda, Jaguar God hell even Show Yourself were all good tracks this album was solid
I am another long time Mastodon fan... and I can't stop listening to this album. I love it, and they continue and further solidify as my favorite band. This is a good review, really well examined and honest in opinion. I personally like these recent directions of the band, and hope they continue to do whatever they want to do, because that will be the truest expression of this incredible band. These guys craft amazing and intricate songs, and they oscillate between so many different styles. Musicianship is top notch, and to me, the inspiration,creativity, and production are incredible. I hope they can ignore that audience that wants them to be what they want them to be, and know that they will always have a following doing whatever they want to do
Absolutely agree with you there on "Roots Remain". I knew once I heard it, it'd be tough to beat. Loving the CTS elements on this record. I always enjoy your reviews, Mr. Dunn. Metal up your ass!
Weird that High Road was referenced as the "one radio track" when clearly that was The Motherload.
Thus album is everything at once.. Its got elements of all their previous albums... Its a monster and a beauty... Im so pleased with it as a mastofan... Its got to be top four if not top three mastodon albums .. Its up their with Leviathan and CTS.. Its beautiful. Its brutal.. Its weird.. Its everthing I love about mastodon in one album.
I feel like the term "Progressive metal" is lost on a lot of reviewers. This is not their best album, but definitely top 3, of my personal favorites. And it's probably at 9/10, at minimum. Also, I'm lost on your verdict. Mastodon is the exact opposite of hipster metal
Sam! How could you review this album and leave out Jaguar God!?!? It might be the coolest track on the album and seems to be a fan favorite already.
The only song on this album that I dislike is 'Show Yourself' It's by far the Warner Bro. radio single. I dig every album this band puts out. They grow in a way that doesn't alienate me as a fan. I can almost predict what the next album will sound like because each album shows hints and glimpses what is going to come next. This album for me is more entertaining than Hunter and Once More and close to Crack the Skye. It may not have progressed a lot but it damn sure doesn't disappoint. 4 out of 5 for me.
For some reason this album is really resonating with me, having lost my mom less than a year ago... the emotion on this record is palpable, and I feel that it's best to take it in as a whole. There might be the occasional chorus that wears out its welcome, or not as many riffs as I would like at times, but I feel like this is easily better than Blood Mountain, and probably my 4th favorite Mastodon album overall. It keeps getting better the more I listen.
I think it's great. The old and new combining for something I think actually is a step forward. They seem to be reaching for everyone in this album, newbies and old heads alike. Word to the Wise and Ancient Kingdom are standouts for me. They remind me of a heavier Rush, Yes, or Genesis when they were making accessible prog rock that allowed a new crowd to dig in. It's proggy, psychedelic, anthemic and has great replay value. 4/5 for me. Just under CTS and Leviathan, right around Blood Mountain level.
Matt Allan I'm so happy to see someone with a Terence profile pic commenting on a mastadon video
Wow he didn't even mention Jaguar God, holy shit
It took me a minute to realise that this is Sam from A Headbanger's Journey. I didn't know you had a YT channel. Brilliant.
Yup! That's him. Welcome!
I sorta shared your opinion on some of the middle tracks but after listening to the album some more it just keeps growing on me (Like when they released "Show Yourself", at first I was like WTF? But after listening to it a couple of times I just love it.) so I've really come to enjoy this album. Question is where it stands in 6 months for me but I would expect fairly high on the Mastodon list for me.
I think this album has aged well. 2 years later it’s become one that I regularly still listen to. I’m constantly humming the intro to Steambreather.
It was Sam's multi-part documentary "Metal Evolution", and specifically, the episode on Prog Metal that put me on to Mastodon in the first place. While not really a comment on this video, this is the closest forum I have to pass on my thanks to him. So, thanks, Sam. Your work has certainly changed my life for the better.
same here, very grateful for that
I love Mastodon. Sure, their albums lately don't appeal to those people who grew up on their older material. But, I love how they can pull off those melodies and still have great riffs.
Yes Jaguar God is such an amazing tune the build up from beginning to the part starting at 5:02 my God!!! The vocals slamming in, with that riff along with the lead breaks just fuckin nails it!!
Mastodon is straight up ear candy to me! I know many have become disillusioned by their "accessibility/ commercialization" in recent years? But, I will compare them to a band more from my era who have continually kept pushing their sound forward and evolving... The mighty Voïvod!!
Thru the musical history of each of these bands both started out much more aggressive and abrasive but have evolved a more complex tapestry to suit their growth as musicians IMO. I grew up with Voïvod and evolved my taste with them. From the snarling thrash of "War & Pain" to the more tempered "Angel Rat" and beyond!
To me Mastodon is just progressing the same way and I for one love it!
I disagree 100%. This album is perfect. How can you miss on Clandestiny, Ancient Kingdom, Jaguar God, Andromeda..? My rating of Emperor Of Sand: 10 ouf of 10. It's a much better album than Once more round the sun, the hunter or blood mountain. It might even be their greatest album. The competition is rude with Crack The Sky and Leviathan.
How can you be so critical about Emperor of Sand while praising naive "thrash metal" riffs on Metallica's latest album. Did Lars give you one of his Picasso's?
1:06 you call renovation controversy really? Why there's always this need in reviews to categorize, put music in a box, compare if it sounds like the old stuff. We are not today the person we where a year ago, how can your music not change along the time?
Best album in a long time. The only one I started out not liking was "Clandestiny." Now I've played it like 10 times and sing with it.
I've made that mastodon and queens of the stone age comparison when it comes to show yourself. That's exactly what I hear when I listen to That song. No disrespect of course. I'm a fan of both bands.
With regards to Show Yourself being "more a kin to Queens of the stone age or Foo Fighters than Rush", really Sam? I mean, I agree it's the most radio friendly track but one of the best Rush prog albums is "A Farewell to Kings" and that had Closer to the Heart on it. A song that gets played ad nauseum on Q107 to this day.
The contrast between Sultan's Curse and Show Yourself is simply staggering. How we can go from an ethereal, epic, sludge classic like sultan followed by such a corny radio rock song in just 2 tracks is just...i can't even describe it. I'm just glad they continue their arena rock influence, i fucking love how astronomically gigantic their sound is.
this guy kills me, he either doesn't like an album cause it doesn't sounds like the band early material or doesn't like an album cause it's sounds too much like something they've done before lol
I am glad that I could get out of this "metalhead bubble" along the years therefore I understand but most of all able to recognise and enjoy those elements in Mastodon's music that is refused or hated by long time fans who still wants their another Leviathan...
For me the best ever work of Mastodon is Cold Dark Place. That is a fucking masterpiece.
fair review. I felt the same about a lot of this album sounding the same as previous work but I'm still loving it.
The thing about comparing one work of art to another is it sucks the fun and joy out of one when you could be enjoying both
Correction Brann does not sing the prechorus. Its taken over by Troy Sanders the bassist. He does it live and he does it on the record
Solid album. Will be bumping it all week!
I don't know why these guys get such flack. Every thing I've heard from them is quality stuff. The Hunter got me into them. Also don't mention Tool because they aren't nearly as talented as Mastodon.
I love this album. It may be my second favorite of their discography after Crack the Skye. I feel as though it's a perfect return to form with plenty of new elements and songwriting that blew me away. 4.5/5 for me. Probably my favorite album of the year so far.
The main riff from Sultan's King is very similar to the one from Morningstar of Baroness.
Not really
Testament.
Well the first power cord slide is the same in both riffs
I agree, though it reminded of The Sweetst Curse by Baroness first haha
How could you possibly not mention Jaguar God?
Dude, did you even listen to the album? Robot voice?...wrong track man.
It isn't Blood Mountain, but it still kicks ass.
janderson9413 Arse*
Would you consider Jazz-Fusion or Jazz influenced Death Metal to be added as a sub-genre of Death Metal with bands like Death (Invidual Thought Patterns Album), Atheist, Cynic, Gorguts, Pestilence (Spheres Album)?
To me, Mastodon is a collection of elements which when used in combination elevate a track beyond the sum of its parts. Among these are driving riffs, ethereal soundscapes, surprising song structure, contrasting vocal textures, and yes, even big catchy hooks. I believe they make very intelligent music in that it is at once complex, unexpected and unique, but often accessible and catchy at the same time.
I find this album has tracks that balance that uniqueness and catchiness in differing degrees, but there are certainly no tracks that fail at both-- in fact, most succeed at both with flying colors. I will forgive them more vanilla tracks like Show Yourself, because they also manage masterpieces like Jaguar God which take you on a complete and fulfilling journey through their entire range of capabilities.
My conclusion is ultimately that I love the album.
But then again I love The Hunter, which seems to be unmentionable to many Mastodon fans, so what do I know?
Nice review. Informative introspective and intelligently articulated. I'd like to touch on a few points not brought up in the review. First being the guitar solo on ROOTS REMAIN. This was a bone crusher and certainly worthy of acknowledgement. Second point is my disagreement about the reviewers take on Ancient Kingdoms. This song goes through several different tempo changes, like 4 polar opposite directions being pulled magnetically back to center by the deeply articulated subject matter. Easily this song could be a lesser bands crowning achievement yet Mastodon pull it off with such slickness it understandable why it was not a noteworthy standout for the reviewer. Finally there is Jaguar. I cant find in recent memory a closing tune by any other band that is on equal footing. Thanks for reading.
Is this dude Geddy Lee's brother?
This review has not aged well. Brilliant album.
I think I saw one other review months ago, but you actually playing parts of the song before some of us get it is, well... REVOLUTIONARY!!! Like a review with samples of the songs at the same time.
God damnnnn I love reading comments like "how did they not mention jaguar god" and other songs.. just shows how fucking killer this album is. I love mastodon so much
Honestly, I dont found inconvinient, boring or bad about the "I've heard that before in other album", when bands get to points wheren finally foun their own sound, that means they have master riffs, melodies, tones, etc, that became really good at it, is like complain to a painter or graffic artist for always using the same visuals.
@6:00 that vocal melody isn't sung by Brann. Thats definitely Troys voice
High Road is not a Foo Fighters-style song. It is heavy and the Neurosis influences are apparent.
Never understood why that track was singled out s the "radio" hit for OMRTS. That riff is thick as fuck.
sure Motherload is the radio-track from that album, but Neurosis influenced? No.
Listen to The Doorway from Times of Grace (1999). The riff on High Road is definitely of similar type.
I know what Neurosis sound like. And Times of Grace is probably my favourite album of all time. That said they really don't sound that similar. Sludge is a genre based on catchy, powerful riffs. A lot of those sound the same (which is why so much of Mastodon sounds like filler songs probably, everything blends together), that doesn't really make one a copy of the other or even much inspired by the other. Mastodon has some Neurosis inspired stuff, but High Road is not one of those. At least if it was inspired by Neurosis (which I doubt at this point in time), it doesn't shine through that much.
I feel like he meant The Motherload
I still think it's a pretty solid album. Lots of hooks and tasty guitar riffs, and those drums! Brann has never disappointed me on any record. Hell, this album is 100% better than most trash currently being made by the majority of modern bands. Love em or hate em, Mastodon is the real deal.
In my humble opinion, Mastodon is one of the only bands that hasn't released a bad album yet, and out of the post Crack the Skye period, Emperor of Sand is my favorite one.
Something happened.. re-upload.. Saw the review. Sam nailed it again. Banger delivers some good stuff again. \m/
To each his own, but I love Word to the Wise. That chorus is so epic. I have to crank it up when I listen to it!
scorpion breath with Scott Kelly is an amazing song
I love your reviews. I also really enjoy your docs.
I've only listened to a couple of this guy's reviews, and I end up disagreeing with at least half of what he says every time. Same was true here. Don't think I'll bother listening to one of his reviews again. For me, with Emperor of Sand, Jaguar God is one of the top two tracks - and should have been mentioned. And Scorpion Breath, which the reviewer highlighted, was the least stand-out track for me.
Darren King I don't know why, but my least favorite track is scorpion breath
This guy and I apparently didn't listen to the same album.
From the clips here this album sounds very Crack the Skye-ish which was there last truly great album in my opinion. I'll definitely be giving this a few listens
How about a review for the new Warbringer??
Guys, I'm new to them, may I ask why they tone down after Remission. Kindly advise.
So far my favorite post Crack the Skye album. Have to give it more time before I could say it beats anything pre CTS. Their albums always get better with repeated listens so who knows....
I love how even their album art reflects their return to harder and sludgey that the last two albums were mostly missing; their font is back to what it was before the hunter.
didnt mention jaguar god, fucking love that song
Exellent review as usual! The argumentation is there, keep it up!
Blood Mountain
Crack The Skye
Emperor of Sand
Leviathan
The Hunter
Remission
That's my ranking
Favorite Riffs anyone? Feel free to describe or throw the time in. I'll give a few
1. The 2 in The Czar's bridge
2. Black Tongue sick and heavy riff after "You can run to the sea, you can run to the forest" part
3. Andromeda duh
4. About everything off Leviathan - Iron Tusk
5. Tread Lightly Chorus riff with the bend
Hahahah, i laughed so hard when he reviewed Roots remain, he spoke about details like robot voice and piano at the end but never about the crazy heart ripping solo, he just skipped it
I think this album is killer. Got this one wrong dude :(
the next tool album is the half-life 3 of music.
I'm not okay at all with you on this review. We can all agree that "Emperor of Sand" is a "Crack The Skye" with sounds from "Blood Mountain" wich, to me, makes this album a perfect blend. I disagree on your vision of the songs because to me the album really took me away from "Steambreather" until "Clandestiny". Those songs are EPIC ! They are the densest and the more refined compositions this guys realised. Not saying the other songs are bad, they just did not hit me with the same strength !
I got this album,spin it 1 time & didn't think much of it. But then I played it again a few weeks later & I was blown away. I have spun the album many times. Over & Over. First 5 songs are the best & Jaguar God is by far 1 of their best tracks
man you didn't mention jaguar god.. That's for me the best song in the album. And I mean you didn't even say the name of the song like it wasn't even there
Best way to review an album:
1) Get a torrent, download it.
2) Listen to it.
3) Liked it? Go buy it.
That stitched up thumb is pretty hard-core (not sludgy though)
if you are going to do a song by song review, actually do all of the songs, specially the best songs like ancient kingdom, word to the wise and jaguar god
How come you can use some short audio clips from the album without getting the video blocked ? Is it because the durations of those short clips ? Or maybe you've made a deal with the label ?
reviewing this album and leaving out Jaguar god is a total misstep. you took a song that ties it all together and just seemed to forget it
Took me more than a couple of times to listen to this album and like it. But now that I've heard it so much, I love it! This is my opinion of course, but if Show Yourself was not on the album, the flow would be perfect from start to finish.
There is a song with a robotic voice but it's not the part you played on Roots Remain. IMO the one you played sounds like a demon and is pretty badass.
If it was my first mastodon album I've ever heard, it would be a masterpiece but it's just another mastodon album.
Benein Is that really a bad thing though? Sure it's not neccessarily on Blood Mountain level, but if this is someone's intro to Mastodon it's a damn fine intro. It's like comparing Hardwired.... to Master or Brave New World to Seventh Son. Is it as good as they were at their peak? Probably not. Still doesn't make it less of a damn good record
By saying another mastodon album I meant it's a good album. They're still keeping the quality they've invented. No need to sweat mate
"I feel like I heard these songs before"... then they change it on next album... "They have gone astray from their style".
No one complains more than metal fans, except maybe jazz ones.
ZzzzzZzz...
I don't get what's wrong with accessible songs. I think those songs sound a bit like something The Sword would do, but with better vocals (The Sword make great music but the vocals are average).