The Mastodon Thread v. Emperor of Sand!

[Kotowboy]

Jeez, how good is Eyes of Serpents.

SHIT IT DOESNT SOUND LIKE THE HUNTER WHICH IS *MY* FAVOURUTE ALBUM AND THE ALBUM I DEMAND THEY MAKE EVERY TIME

[wolfking]

Hmmm....on first listening, might like disc 2 a bit better than disc 1.

Looking forward to digging into this again.

[Kotowboy]

It'll probably end up being their Hardwired To Self Destruct. A really consistent album thats on 2 discs but whilst I love it all - I don't listen to disc 2 as much as I used to.

[Kotowboy]

w000t.

The girl in the flat above me is going back tae Scotland on Tuesday - and she's usually away for at least 2 weeks. I can play the album nice and loud then

and give it a proper listen. Maybe whilst playing a PS4 game so i'm not just sitting there. Also the same day my CD of it is due to arrive.

Also there is nobody on either side of me so also I can play my drums a wee bit more.

[Podaar]

Jeez, how good is Eyes of Serpents.

Probably my favorite from the album.

Still, after three listens, this entire album is great.

[Kotowboy]

Yes it's a lot to take in - in one go but overall no duds detected.

[wolfking]

Second listen of CD 1 and this is just awesome. 

[Kotowboy]

Glad you like it.

I haven't really been in a massive music listening mood lately. But the job that was making me really miserable ended today - and i am officially unemployed for the first time since 2015.

I need to take it easy for a while. I don't want to dive headfirst into another stressful full time job.

So I'll have plenty of time to do some listening

[wolfking]

This album is really something else.

[Kotowboy]

Nah I’m pretty sure it’s an album 😄😄

[wolfking]

Nah I’m pretty sure it’s an album 😄😄

A damn fine one at that.

[WebRaider]

guys...

Guys...

GUYS!!!!!


OMG I've withheld listening to the album (with the exception of the first single) till today when I could give my complete attention all at once and drink it in. I am DRUNK off the 'Don.. Holy crap. I knew it would be good but I'm absolutely gobsmacked. I'm only at "Had It All" atm and I do not want this album to end. There's so many incredible things going on throughout each song. This is just freaking incredible! WOW 

[PixelDream]

I wasn't too sure at first listen, but somewhere around 2nd/3rd listen I just couldn't stop listening anymore. I thought the singles were getting better with each release. In the beginning I was still getting used to the production and I initially was a bit disappointed to hear so little of Hinds' vocals throughout. Not that he's my favorite per se, but I like how all three vocalists work together in Mastodon.

I thought Emperor of Sand was a particularly strong later period album from the band. To my ears they really tapped into the Crack the Skye vibes again on that album.

But after having had my first weekend with Hushed & Grim, my premature evaluation is that they've knocked it out of the park this time. Watery eyes, goosebumps, they just make it happen on this album. My album of the year for sure, and that's coming from a moderate Mastodon fan.

[Kotowboy]

my premature evaluation

[Kotowboy]

My Cd arrived and according to itunes - both discs are 44 minutes 

[Kotowboy]

I see what you mean about the CD packaging. Usually when albums are like that I just buy them on iTunes as the packaging adds no value.

And there's no DVD.

But I might get it on vinyl later...

[wolfking]

I see what you mean about the CD packaging. Usually when albums are like that I just buy them on iTunes as the packaging adds no value.

And there's no DVD.

But I might get it on vinyl later...

Yeah, the packaging is poor but that's a non issue now considering how good this is.

[wolfking]

guys...

Guys...

GUYS!!!!!


OMG I've withheld listening to the album (with the exception of the first single) till today when I could give my complete attention all at once and drink it in. I am DRUNK off the 'Don.. Holy crap. I knew it would be good but I'm absolutely gobsmacked. I'm only at "Had It All" atm and I do not want this album to end. There's so many incredible things going on throughout each song. This is just freaking incredible! WOW 

Indeed, it's incredible really.

I wasn't too sure at first listen, but somewhere around 2nd/3rd listen I just couldn't stop listening anymore. I thought the singles were getting better with each release. In the beginning I was still getting used to the production and I initially was a bit disappointed to hear so little of Hinds' vocals throughout. Not that he's my favorite per se, but I like how all three vocalists work together in Mastodon.

I thought Emperor of Sand was a particularly strong later period album from the band. To my ears they really tapped into the Crack the Skye vibes again on that album.

But after having had my first weekend with Hushed & Grim, my premature evaluation is that they've knocked it out of the park this time. Watery eyes, goosebumps, they just make it happen on this album. My album of the year for sure, and that's coming from a moderate Mastodon fan.

I would like a little more Brent too but Troy owns this album and Btann is great too that you don't miss Brent all that much.  Maybe he wanted to sing less and focus on his leads maybe.

[Kotowboy]

I know they've said in the past that all 3 guys write vocals for each section and they all decide who's they prefer.

Maybe Troy and Brann's parts they just all preferred.

[Podaar]

I would like a little more Brent too but Troy owns this album and Btann is great too that you don't miss Brent all that much.  Maybe he wanted to sing less and focus on his leads maybe.

This is definitely Troy's vocal performance of his career!

When we do get Brent, on The Beast, it's excellent. He's less mumbly, and seemingly more confident than past efforts. I've always like the timber of his voice.

I'm one of those fans who've often felt like Brann's vocals are an intrusion to the Mastodon vibe. I will say, the way he's used on this record, and when, is near perfect. Maybe it's the music, maybe it's the lyrics, but Brann is more accompanying Troy.

[Lonk]

Seriously, I know it's only been 3 days, but damn is this album good. So many good tracks, nothing feels repetitive or similar to another song. Each track has it's own color.

The singles keep getting better and better as well. Teardrinker is up there as a top Mastodon song for me.

[Kotowboy]

I do get vibes from other songs but that's cause i've been listening to the band since 2004.

The Beast is VERY Pendulous Skin ( from Blood Mountain ) for example.

The riff that begins Peace & Tranquility is so similar to a section on Emperor of Sand - I think it's Jaguar God.


Not in a bad way - obviously it's not Ctrl C Ctrl V. But it's their style. It harkens back to the 'mad jazz' section on Crack The Skye. Maybe The Czar ?

Where it goes jazz for a few bars.

[nick_z]

First impression after one full listen is VERY positive. Great stuff all over, can't wait to dig back in.

[Lonk]

I do get vibes from other songs but that's cause i've been listening to the band since 2004.

The Beast is VERY Pendulous Skin ( from Blood Mountain ) for example.

The riff that begins Peace & Tranquility is so similar to a section on Emperor of Sand - I think it's Jaguar God.


Not in a bad way - obviously it's not Ctrl C Ctrl V. But it's their style. It harkens back to the 'mad jazz' section on Crack The Skye. Maybe The Czar ?

Where it goes jazz for a few bars.

You are right, what I mean is that they don't sound similar to other songs within the album. There are hints of other albums throughout (Sickle and Peace reminds me of Blue Walsh from the EP, just a little  ).

[Kotowboy]

I forget that EP exists and I have it on CD.

Also I rarely listen to the Jonah Hex EP but I also have it.

As I said - my upstairs neighbour is going away tomorrow for at least a week so I can play the album at a nice volume

as either side of me is thick thick walls then a corridor then more walls THEN another house. So I won't be annoying anyone.

[the_silent_man]

I'm struggling with this one a bit. Honestly, the first few listens have been a bit of a slog to be honest - but I think it's going to be a grower. I just want them to let rip every so often and this is more of a moody, brooding, mid paced affair.

However saying that, it's a lot less 'mainstream' and more "sludgy" than the last 3 albums and there are definitely parts that are reminiscent of "classic" mastodon (to me the first 4 albums).

[wolfking]

This album is exceptional.  I'm honestly floored considering my disappointment of later Mastodon just how good this is.  This has the ability to rival Senjutsu as my album of the year.

This is an album of a band just having zero pre conceived ideas or direction if that makes sense.  It's like anything goes and each song is just pure, unique expression.  Everything on this has purpose and substance.

[Kotowboy]

I know all 4 of them write the music and they've had 4 years nearly to write this album.

[goo-goo]

This album is exceptional.  I'm honestly floored considering my disappointment of later Mastodon just how good this is.  This has the ability to rival Senjutsu as my album of the year.

This is an album of a band just having zero pre conceived ideas or direction if that makes sense.  It's like anything goes and each song is just pure, unique expression.  Everything on this has purpose and substance.

Haven’t had any luck with Mastodon but holy balls. This is an absolute almost perfect album. More Than I Could Chew is hitting me hard, specially the outro (those last two minutes are magical).

[wolfking]

The second half of More Than I Can Chew is fucking incredible.  Brent smokes this one.

This was what I posted on my first listen.  It's amazing.

[Zoom E]

This album is exceptional.  I'm honestly floored considering my disappointment of later Mastodon just how good this is.  This has the ability to rival Senjutsu as my album of the year.

This is an album of a band just having zero pre conceived ideas or direction if that makes sense.  It's like anything goes and each song is just pure, unique expression.  Everything on this has purpose and substance.

I feel the same way. Nothing post-Cracke the Skye has lived up to their earlier material, though Emperor of the Sand was a big step up over the previous two albums.

Hushed and Grim is stunningly good, and somewhat of a minor masterpiece. Maybe even a major one. 

[Kotowboy]

The only disappointing (and its not even that bad really just muddy compared to The Hunter) album for me is Once More...

It was just missing something.

Ironically - REM and Mastodon are both from Atlanta, Georgia and both have disappointing albums called Around The Sun.

Both bands on Warners too.

[wolfking]

Had It All is beyond words.  One of the most amazing songs I've ever heard.  Big call, but jeez it's incredible.

[DoctorAction]

Really impressed so far. Holding back on stating any opinions for now but I can relate to what others have said about it sounding a little more like earlier stuffz.

There are several moments that have me closing my eyes and nodding along to the power. 

(I love Once More Round The Sun, btw. One of my top albums of their's)

[wolfking]

Really impressed so far. Holding back on stating any opinions for now but I can relate to what others have said about it sounding a little more like earlier stuffz.

There are several moments that have me closing my eyes and nodding along to the power. 

(I love Once More Round The Sun, btw. One of my top albums of their's)

Yep.

OMATS >>> CTS, TH, EOS.