The Mastodon Thread v. Emperor of Sand!

[Polarbear]

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 was planning to write something lengthy, but Wolf said it perfectly I think!

It feels like, all the different styles of Mastodon are taken to the Nth Degree! The aggressive style, the proggy style and the moody style, all are the best they've ever been. And they experiment with some totally new ideas, including a supreme power ballad (Had It All).

There is probably a lot more that could be said, but I'll just say now that this is my AOTY easily!

[PixelDream]

This is definitely my AOTY also! I've been going quite crazy over Leprous' Aphelion, but that album didn't hit my emotions as hard as this does. It might even be one of the best new albums I've heard in a few years to be honest. I don't remember being this blown away by new music over the last couple of years.

[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.

I was planning to write something lengthy, but Wolf said it perfectly I think!

It feels like, all the different styles of Mastodon are taken to the Nth Degree! The aggressive style, the proggy style and the moody style, all are the best they've ever been. And they experiment with some totally new ideas, including a supreme power ballad (Had It All).

There is probably a lot more that could be said, but I'll just say now that this is my AOTY easily!

I think you added perfectly to my thoughts there mate.

[twosuitsluke]

Fuck.


Gigantium 



I am not all in with this album quite yet but I know I can't stop listening. Talking about previous albums, I have always worshipped the run of Leviathan>Crack the Skye as being their golden era (still do). I was majorly disappointed with The Hunter, and although I like it a lot more now, it's not my fave. Once More had higher highs than Hunter but I still felt it  was lacking.

Emperor was a whole different ball game though, I adore it. Kotow, you mentioned earlier about the lack of documentary for Hushed, and I also hope they release one. The documentary for Emperor really helped me connect with the album in a way that I may not have otherwise, I watched it numerous times after the album dropped.

It's a fucking good time to be a Mastodon fan 

[Mladen]

I am also digging the new album quite a bit. We are witnessing the start of a new era. Emperor of sand put an end to the era of catchy/concise songs, whereas this one is figuring out how to do slower, more subtle songs. There are still heavy bits, there are still "hits", but there is also more breathing space. The songs are atmospheric and expansive.

My early favorites are Pushing the tides, Pain with an anchor, Gigantium, Teardrinker and The Beast. I also need to mention that Had it all is wonderful. I already know it will be crucified by a number of fans. 

[Lonk]

All this just has me excited for the concert, I heard an interview with Brent and Bill where they said they plan on playing 7-8 songs from the new album (they mentioned Pushing the Tides and Teardrinker). I hope they play Savage Lands, 

[Podaar]

Had it All being crucified by fans? I haven't heard such nonsense. I've heard it described as a power ballad, which is completely laughable...call it a slow, soulful song. Call it a lament. Even just plain ballad (although that misses the mark too) is better.

Like Mastodon is some lame ass 80's band singing about Cowboys with rose-thorns in their thumbs and a spike-heel broken off in their ass...SMH

[wolfking]

Had it All being crucified by fans? I haven't heard such nonsense. I've heard it described as a power ballad, which is completely laughable...call it a slow, soulful song. Call it a lament. Even just plain ballad (although that misses the mark too) is better.

Like Mastodon is some lame ass 80's band singing about Cowboys with rose-thorns in their thumbs and a spike-heel broken off in their ass...SMH

I'm as critical of later day Mastodon as anyone but I can't fault anything about this album or especially this song.  I'd be the first to rag on a song like Had it All, but I can't.  I can only praise it and the album.

[NoseofNicko]

Fantastic album. Definitely their best since Crack the Skye.

[nick_z]

Fantastic album. Definitely their best since Crack the Skye.

A few listens in, I feel exactly the same way.

[wolfking]

Best since Blood Mountain for me.  Maybe even Leviathan.

[wolfking]

Skelton sitting quietly between the Beast and Teardrinker just knocked me to my ass.  Holy shit, another absolute ripper.

[TAC]

So I'm not a Mastodon fan. Never really gotten into them. I heard Crack the Skye in a record store and thought it sounded great, so I bought it. I haven't listened to it in years. I remember it having a couple of cool tunes.


I'm going to try with this new album but the two songs released before the album did nothing for me. I started to listen to this the other night, but the first song didn't grab me.

I haven't given up on it, but I'm not all geared up to waste a lot of time on it either.

[wolfking]

I don't think this album would be for you mate truthfully.

I'd try Leviathan, Blood Mountain or even Once More Round the Sun.

Not sure if this new album would be the type of album to gain them new fans.  I could be totally wrong though.

[PixelDream]

I actually feel this is by far their most accessible record for the (modern) prog crowd. It all sounds a bit bigger and a bit more polished (just a bit.. luckily not too polished).

[wolfking]

Fuck.


Gigantium 

That second half hey.  Holy shit!

[wolfking]

I actually feel this is by far their most accessible record for the (modern) prog crowd. It all sounds a bit bigger and a bit more polished (just a bit.. luckily not too polished).

Haha, I knew that response would come.

[Tomislav95]

Overplayed Teardrinker to death (before album came out) and I still don't hate it it's been my favorite song ever since it came out, pretty simple but powerful.

[wolfking]

Overplayed Teardrinker to death (before album came out) and I still don't hate it it's been my favorite song ever since it came out, pretty simple but powerful.

It's incredible.  The chorus is unbelievable.

[Podaar]

I don't know, Kade, I think it's possible for Tim to get into Mastodon and thus Hushed and Grim. He's got the right rock pedigree needed for it.

@Tim, the only recommendation I have for getting into any Mastodon is, loose your expectations. They can't really be pigeon-holed into a certain genre other than the broad umbrella of Rock. Yet, no matter what type of rock they decide to play on any specific song, they alway sound like Mastodon. Like Kade says, listen to Leviathan and Blood Mountain. Then listen to them a few more times. Then go back to Crack the Skye and a whole new world may open up to you.

[wolfking]

Fair play Gregg.  Tim definitely has the experience, open mindfulness and tastes to for sure.  Such an amazing band.

This album is simply incredible.

[Kotowboy]

I still need to put on a PS4 game and play the entire album on my speakers so i can just chill out and listen to it.

I have listened to the whole thing - but Disc 1 one day and Disc 2 another day.

It sounds GOOD but it's way too early to tell for me.

[Podaar]

This album is simply incredible.

It really is! I'm continuously blown away by it.

Like Troy says, "We really fucking mean it." That's it, right there. These four guys are so comfortable in their own skins, have gone through a bunch of shit and death together, yet they've jealously kept their goofy sense of humor. Everything they do is genuine and real, and whether you like it or not, that comes through in the music.

I've seen music critics call Gigantium boring and pretentious, and I think they'd have a point if it was put out by Mesuggah, Gorjira, or even Dream Theater. But, this is Mastodon and they're about the only band with the catalog where this type of song makes sense, becomes sincere, and beautiful.

I don't know, I may be babbling now.

[Kotowboy]

Just finished my proper full playthrough...

It's very GOOD. No duds in nearly 90 mins which is quite something. It does remind me of their Hardwired To Self Destruct. A near 90 minute album with no real duds

and a lot of strong material - but not quite their greatest album. But not far off either. It needs to become more famililar.

But bravo. As of now : 7/10

[wolfking]

This album is simply incredible.

It really is! I'm continuously blown away by it.

Like Troy says, "We really fucking mean it." That's it, right there. These four guys are so comfortable in their own skins, have gone through a bunch of shit and death together, yet they've jealously kept their goofy sense of humor. Everything they do is genuine and real, and whether you like it or not, that comes through in the music.

I've seen music critics call Gigantium boring and pretentious, and I think they'd have a point if it was put out by Mesuggah, Gorjira, or even Dream Theater. But, this is Mastodon and they're about the only band with the catalog where this type of song makes sense, becomes sincere, and beautiful.

I don't know, I may be babbling now.

This album is worth babbling over.

[goo-goo]

It's very GOOD. No duds in nearly 90 mins which is quite something. 

The album doesn't feel like a 90 minute album. No dragging song (well, maybe one), but overall, it's a very nice flowing album.

[wolfking]

It's very GOOD. No duds in nearly 90 mins which is quite something. 

The album doesn't feel like a 90 minute album. No dragging song (well, maybe one), but overall, it's a very nice flowing album.

Feels nowhere near 90 minutes.

[Nachtmerrie]

5 or 6 spins this week. AOTY and I dare to predict this will probably be one of the best and defining (metal)albums of this decade.

 

[emtee]

Each song has a unique and compelling story to tell. And in total, it's an epic journey that is packed with emotion, experimentation and feels. This album was unexpected and has vaulted to album of the year. Their best work to date.

[emtee]

5 or 6 spins this week. AOTY and I dare to predict this will probably be one of the best and defining (metal)albums of this decade.

I said the same thing earlier in this thread. Feels like a top 20 all time type of album. A once in a decade body of work.

[goo-goo]

It's very GOOD. No duds in nearly 90 mins which is quite something. 

The album doesn't feel like a 90 minute album. No dragging song (well, maybe one), but overall, it's a very nice flowing album.

I didn't even realize it was 90 mins long until it was brought up here lol 

[PixelDream]

5 or 6 spins this week. AOTY and I dare to predict this will probably be one of the best and defining (metal)albums of this decade.

I said the same thing earlier in this thread. Feels like a top 20 all time type of album. A once in a decade body of work.

I cannot help but agree. This is without a shadow of doubt the most amazing new rock/metal music I've heard in quite some time.

It's loaded from front to back with emotion, especially in the vocal department and lyrics. It's incredibly varied, every song is unique (although More Than I Could Chew capitalizes immensely on the established vibe in Sickle and Peace's choruses!). The track sequencing really makes it seem as if the whole thing had been composed on the go, in that order. The last three songs are basically all candidate album closers.

Apart from the songwriting/melodic aspect that's the best it's ever been, there's badass riffs for days and to top it off some very cool atmospheric intros. All the lengthy tracks have a swtich-up that elevates the song to levels almost unimaginable. And then, to top it off, the guitar solos are just utterly and completely out-of-this-world epic.

[wolfking]

Yeah, this seems one of those albums where the stars align once in history kind of thing.

[Kotowboy]

Dagger sounds like 10,000 Days by Tool.

[DoctorAction]

There's too much for me to take in and comment on in any detail yet but I am SO impressed. Could be a career best.