MASTODON, founded by Today Is The Day “renegades”, doesn’t do anything by halves. That somehow makes already their background clear. Blood Mountain, the new album, is packed with riffs, melodies, acoustic parts, solos (two-tracked), breaks, breaks and breaks. In the short time of their existence, MASTODON acquired an unbelievably good reputation and are very popular all around the planet. It must be interesting to explore the secret behind such success.
However, being simply put into the death metal drawer at first (taking the first releases and first longplayer Remission as reference), the powerhouse developed to a progressive rock band, latest with their second full-length Leviathan (not counting maxi and single releases). Their pool of inspiration is still brimming, far beyond of just being hardcore and metal. The MASTODON style embrace many influences from prog rock, sludge, doom, seventies rock, stoner rock and ranges in atmospheric fields of bands such as Isis, Mogwai and Aereogramme.
That consequently makes clear: Blood Mountain needs time and patience, but the listener gets swamped with many aspects yet to be discovered.
First I’d like to mention the guest appearances. No matter if it’s Josh Homme (QOTSA) in Colony Of Birchmen, Cedric Bixler (Mars Volta) in Siberian Divide or Scott Kelly (Neurosis), who is allowed to eternalize himself a second time in Crystal Skull. Or take the mazily moronic synth/harmonizer effects on the singing as in Circle Cysquatch or Bladecatcher and the strange blast beats in the last-mentioned one.
That’s definitely pure guitar-driven stuff! So it makes sense that the restraining singing of Troy Sanders and Brent Hinds gets pushed more into the background, although taken over melodies perfectly suit the entire sound picture. Additionally drummer Brann Dailor can show what he is capable to do… namely adding tons of drive.
Taking the colored fantasy cover artwork one might think Blood Mountain aims at the metal audience. But if you take the philosophies of the albums, in dependence on the five elements, then Remission is the fire, Leviathan the water and Blood Mountain must be the earth. And you can definitely call the sound earthy! By the way produced by Isis-producer Matt Bayles and mixed by Rick Costley, who already paved the way into the discos for hip mates such as Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party.
While listening to Blood Mountain, one might get the feeling that Motörhead dances with Isis, Led Zeppelin and Neurosis swing together, Thin Lizzy play vs. Entombed or Rush and Coalesce pit their technical skills against each other. You are right, man! And dudes, who like all these bands, should definitely check out this album! But be aware: you might get all mentioned references packed in one three-minutes-thirty-song. Also fans of Tool, Mars Volta, Cave In and Queens Of The Stone Age might be familiar with these sound approaches or should at least trust in them.
Another thing: don’t worry that MASTODON switched from noise-independent-label Relapse to the major-giant Warner. No, MASTODON didn’t sell themselves to the commerce! Hopefully, the giant does not drop them, when the sales figures are not that gigantic (as it recently happened with the highly acclaimed independent darlings Cave In). Maximum rating!