The Mastodon Thread v. Emperor of Sand!

[Samsara]

Watched it last night with the Mrs. Without any spoilers...it's classic Mastodon. You get all the album info, and their usual brand of humor. 

Solid 90 minutes. But the fucking commercials on YouTube are annoying as hell.

[Mladen]

It is such a tragic album, yet they managed to make the documentary absolutely hilarious. Kudos to Mastodon. 

[twosuitsluke]

Just finished watching it, and I loved it.
I remember watching the Emperor of Sand documentary and that really helped give me a greater appreciation for some of the songs.

I'll spin Hushed and Grim tomorrow, see how it hits.

One thing that sticks with me, whenever I watch these guys, is that I LOVE their dress sense/style. Mainly Brent and Brann, but also a bit of Bill. Their personality really comes out in how they dress themselves. They are an inspiration for me in many ways, clearly.

[TAC]

Hushed and Grim was my favorite album of 2021.

Wow!!
I don't get it.

There were so many great albums released in 2021.

[Buddyhunter1]

Hushed and Grim was my favorite album of 2021.

Wow!!
I don't get it.

There were so many great albums released in 2021.

What were your favorites? 2021 was one of those rare years where there were a lot of good albums, but nothing that stuck out to me as being real "AOTY material".

[wolfking]

Hushed and Grim was my favorite album of 2021.

Wow!!
I don't get it.

There were so many great albums released in 2021.

Still number 2 behind Senjutsu for me.

[Polarbear]

I haven't listened to Hushed and Grim or Mastodon in many months, but the documentary made me want to spin H&G again!

I really loved Hushed and Grim, and it was probably my favorite album of 21!

[twosuitsluke]

Yea it was my album of the year also, although I don't think it's their best by any means. Still a great album, it's just they have such a strong catalogue.

[TAC]

Hushed and Grim was my favorite album of 2021.

Wow!!
I don't get it.

There were so many great albums released in 2021.

What were your favorites? 2021 was one of those rare years where there were a lot of good albums, but nothing that stuck out to me as being real "AOTY material".

My faves of 2021?

Helloween-s/t
Flotsam & Jetsam-Blood In The Water
Iron Maiden-Senjutsu
Tribulation-When Gloom Becomes Sound
Dream Theater-A View From The Top Of The World
Seven Sisters-Shadow Of A Fallen Star Pt.1
Iotunn-Access All Worlds
Witherfall-The Curse Of Autum
Accept-Too Mean To Die
Michael Schenker-Immortal
Alice Cooper-Detroit Stories
Nahtram-Forest Of Eternal Dawn
Null-Hiraeth

[cramx3]

Hushed and Grim was my favorite album of 2021.

Wow!!
I don't get it.

There were so many great albums released in 2021.

I feel the same as you, but in the end, I know I'm just not a huge Mastadon fan compared to those who rate this album so highly.  I like it, but it feels like it needs 4 songs cut for it to be rated higher for me. 

I'm trying to figure out how I can make either the Trenton or Long Island on their current tour with Ghost and Spiritbox.  That's a fantastic 3 band line up, but the dates/locations don't really work in my favor.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I’m surprised the boys in Mastodon haven’t released a statement about all the crap with Scott Kelly. I imagine they’re gonna sever ties with him and never work with him again….maybe that’s why he wasn’t on HaG?

[Bentower]

I’m surprised the boys in Mastodon haven’t released a statement about all the crap with Scott Kelly. I imagine they’re gonna sever ties with him and never work with him again….maybe that’s why he wasn’t on HaG?

It's doubtable, but if he's a man of his word his musical career is finished anyway. I reckon he's been unreachable in recent years, to all and sundry.

[wolfking]

I’m surprised the boys in Mastodon haven’t released a statement about all the crap with Scott Kelly. I imagine they’re gonna sever ties with him and never work with him again….maybe that’s why he wasn’t on HaG?

If he has retired from music like he says then Mastodon have no option.  You would hope though either way Mastodon would call it quits with him regardless.

[wolfking]

I’m surprised the boys in Mastodon haven’t released a statement about all the crap with Scott Kelly. I imagine they’re gonna sever ties with him and never work with him again….maybe that’s why he wasn’t on HaG?

It's doubtable, but if he's a man of his word his musical career is finished anyway. I reckon he's been unreachable in recent years, to all and sundry.

Should have read this first.  Did I read something was brought to light in 2019?  Mastodon might have decided early to not work with him, plus H&G was a personal album for them so made sense either way.

[Metro]

The other guys in Neurosis found out about his behavior and kicked him out in 2019. Nothing was made public until recently. Scott sang on Fallen Torches on Medium Rarities and I would think Mastodon would have removed that song or at least his vocals if they were aware of it back then in 2020. They likely learned about it between the release of MR and the recording of H&G and didn’t invite him back for that record.

Just theorizing of course. We obviously don’t know for certain.

[Samsara]

Saw the show they did last night with Gojira in Concord, Calif. My second time seeing them, and first since 2012 on The Hunter tour. Man, have these guys progressed from the clubs. They played a heavy set (I'm guessing due to the pairing with Gojira) and they really put on a great show. They played a handful from Leviathan, just one from Crack the Skye (bummed about that) and a couple from the latest record, Hushed & Grim, which was a bit of a bummer too. Crack the Skye and Hushed & Grim are my two favorites by them, so sadly, they were underrepresented this time around. But that's okay. It was cool hearing seven songs from Leviathan and Blood Mountain.

They played 15 songs, total (setlist.fm has it wrong, they did not play Circle of Cysquatch). The cut the set a song short from the other night in Portland. Troy mentioned before "Blood and Thunder" that they had to make curfew (they have a show tonight in LA), so that was a bummer. Gojira did the same thing. They cut their set short by one song from Portland.

Interestingly, I thought this would be Mastodon's show, as they are closing the gigs. I was wrong. The crowd was really mostly there for Gojira. First time seeing them. I have Fortitude, and I like it. Seeing them live really pushed forward this thought, and my wife shared it - the drummer, as talented as he is, overplays. That's funny considering Brann Dailor from Mastodon's playing style. But while it works in Mastodon, and there's space to sing and breathe in the songs, for Gojira, I felt like their older stuff was a wall of sound. Talented guys, but way overplaying. Could be the old fogey in me, but I thought songs where they had some space in there to take a breath were much better.

For my wife and I, it was all about the mighty Mastodon though. When I saw them on The Hunter tour, it was in a 900-capacity club. No video, no spotlights (they played almost in the dark). Last night they had all the video, and had lights (and spotlights). What I also noticed, and loved, was just like 11 years ago, Mastodon was FULLY live. Every vocal was live, every effect was live (they brought on a keyboardist). Whereas Gojira, they had vocals piped in, as nobody else by the lead vocalist/guitarist sang. So there were instances he was singing with a vocal backing track. That's fine to me, to make up for layering, which is what they did it for. But I was really happy to see Mastodon going old school and playing completely live.

Anyway, a great double-bill. And anyone who is a fan, try to catch them. Tons of fun last night. Here are some videos:

Edit - the quality looks shitty on a couple. Not sure what's up. Sorry.

Gojira - Flying Whales - https://youtu.be/ggufrmBGZz0

Gojira - The Gift of Guilt - https://youtu.be/hUW9V4ABe_o

Mastodon - Divinations - https://youtu.be/brTfbuRis7A

Mastodon - Pushing the Tides - https://youtu.be/rPXecGg5iqQ

Mastodon - More Than I Could Chew - https://youtu.be/EAeqCK2eiWE

Mastodon - Blood and Thunder - https://youtu.be/vA7-MNk1mx0

[cramx3]

Didn't catch Lorna Shore?

I really want to see this tour in Coney Island

[Samsara]

Didn't catch Lorna Shore?

I really want to see this tour in Coney Island

When we got there, Lorna Shore was on stage, and we really didn't like what we heard. So we opted to wait in the merch line. As we got to our seats, they were literally thanking the crowd and went off stage. It actually worked out well for us. (No offense at all to those who are fans of theirs - just not our thing.)

[Anguyen92]

I, too, will see this tour today in Inglewood at The Forum.  Will leave after work at 5 PM.  I'm not fussed about the opener, so I'm in no rush as long as it doesn't take two hours to be stuck in that sweet Friday evening 405 traffic.  No worries, I've already loaded up the playlist on what Mastodon is going to play.  I took a listen to what Gojira was playing the other day, but haven't done the same with Mastodon and that will be the time killer for the drive. 

I saw Mastodon at the Greek Theater back in 2019 with Coheed & Cambria and while the performance was solid, I don't think it was that memorable for me.  It also hurts that the sound that day wasn't optimal and there was people in front of me talking about the songs throughout the entire set which affected my ability to hear the set.  Maybe this time around, my impressions will be better.

[Samsara]

If Concord was any indication, if you want merch, get there early. The lines are looooooong.

[cramx3]

Didn't catch Lorna Shore?

I really want to see this tour in Coney Island

When we got there, Lorna Shore was on stage, and we really didn't like what we heard. So we opted to wait in the merch line. As we got to our seats, they were literally thanking the crowd and went off stage. It actually worked out well for us. (No offense at all to those who are fans of theirs - just not our thing.)

I don't really like them myself, it's too extreme for my tastes, but that singer is something else that may be worth watching (until you can't take it anymore  ).  I saw them last year and wasn't into them, but everyone I spoke to at that show was floored by the vocalist and I've seen a lot of youtube videos about him (like they put a camera down his throat to see how he can scream like that).

[Lonk]

Interestingly, I thought this would be Mastodon's show, as they are closing the gigs. I was wrong. The crowd was really mostly there for Gojira. First time seeing them. I have Fortitude, and I like it. Seeing them live really pushed forward this thought, and my wife shared it - the drummer, as talented as he is, overplays. That's funny considering Brann Dailor from Mastodon's playing style. But while it works in Mastodon, and there's space to sing and breathe in the songs, for Gojira, I felt like their older stuff was a wall of sound. Talented guys, but way overplaying. Could be the old fogey in me, but I thought songs where they had some space in there to take a breath were much better.
.
.
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Anyway, a great double-bill. And anyone who is a fan, try to catch them. Tons of fun last night.

If it's similar to what they did with Opeth, they might alternate nights on who closes out the night. Glad you enjoyed the show though, they definitely put up a good show, and I can't wait for the August show.

[Samsara]

Yeah, the show was outstanding, and it was packed too. The crowd was REALLY into Gojira, as I said. Massive pit. People going nuts. I mean, Mastodon had the crowd riled up too, it just took longer. When they closed with Blood and Thunder, the crowd was just as insane as they were for Gojira.

[Grappler]

Didn't catch Lorna Shore?

I really want to see this tour in Coney Island

When we got there, Lorna Shore was on stage, and we really didn't like what we heard. So we opted to wait in the merch line. As we got to our seats, they were literally thanking the crowd and went off stage. It actually worked out well for us. (No offense at all to those who are fans of theirs - just not our thing.)

I don't really like them myself, it's too extreme for my tastes, but that singer is something else that may be worth watching (until you can't take it anymore  ).  I saw them last year and wasn't into them, but everyone I spoke to at that show was floored by the vocalist and I've seen a lot of youtube videos about him (like they put a camera down his throat to see how he can scream like that).

That would be my thought - I like some of the music, but seeing that guy perform would be a highlight of their set.  He seems very highly regarded as a growler.

[twosuitsluke]

I'm really in the mood to crank some 'Don today. I think it's because I've been seeing lots of footage on reddit from their current co-headline tour with Gojira. It's also a little to do with compiling my top 25 drummers list... because Brann.

[wolfking]

It's simply never a bad time to spin some Mastodon.

[twosuitsluke]

It's simply never a bad time to spin some Mastodon.

Yea, this much is true. I really want to see them live, as I think I've only caught them twice before. Their setlists on the current tour are really good, and they are generally opening with The Wolf is Loose 

[wolfking]

It's simply never a bad time to spin some Mastodon.

Yea, this much is true. I really want to see them live, as I think I've only caught them twice before. Their setlists on the current tour are really good, and they are generally opening with The Wolf is Loose 

Just had a look.  Followed up with Crystal Skull!   

So much old stuff, even Mother Puncher and Fire Ants.  Wow!  Only 2 from the new album too.  Interesting.

[twosuitsluke]

It's simply never a bad time to spin some Mastodon.

Yea, this much is true. I really want to see them live, as I think I've only caught them twice before. Their setlists on the current tour are really good, and they are generally opening with The Wolf is Loose 

Just had a look.  Followed up with Crystal Skull!   

So much old stuff, even Mother Puncher and Fire Ants.  Wow!  Only 2 from the new album too.  Interesting.

I know right, a hell of a set. As much as I'd like to hear Jaguar God and Gigantium, you can't knock this set.

[Podaar]

It's simply never a bad time to spin some Mastodon.

Ahmen.

While I was working on my son's Jeep this weekend, I took my bluetooth speaker out in the driveway and fired up Blood Mountain. After a few songs, I noticed my son was just standing there staring at me.

"What, too radical of music for you, boy?" I said.

He shook his head, "No, it's just I can see why my friends are all jealous of my dad."

Mastodon for the cool dad win!! 

[wolfking]

 

[twosuitsluke]

It's simply never a bad time to spin some Mastodon.

Ahmen.

While I was working on my son's Jeep this weekend, I took my bluetooth speaker out in the driveway and fired up Blood Mountain. After a few songs, I noticed my son was just standing there staring at me.

"What, too radical of music for you, boy?" I said.

He shook his head, "No, it's just I can see why my friends are all jealous of my dad."

Mastodon for the cool dad win!! 

I aspire to be that cool!

[Samsara]

It's simply never a bad time to spin some Mastodon.

Ahmen.

While I was working on my son's Jeep this weekend, I took my bluetooth speaker out in the driveway and fired up Blood Mountain. After a few songs, I noticed my son was just standing there staring at me.

"What, too radical of music for you, boy?" I said.

He shook his head, "No, it's just I can see why my friends are all jealous of my dad."

Mastodon for the cool dad win!! 

 

[lordxizor]

Anyone caught Mastodon and Gojira on the current tour? They're playing near me in a few weeks, but logistically it will be tricky for me to get there on time. I want to make it work.

[twosuitsluke]

Anyone caught Mastodon and Gojira on the current tour? They're playing near me in a few weeks, but logistically it will be tricky for me to get there on time. I want to make it work.

Wrong continent, but I absolutely would given the chance.