Mastodon - Crack The Skye

The album has officially leaked (well, minus the last track, which is a significant chunk of the album at around 14 minutes long). I only downloaded it since I'd already ordered the special edition album package.

I have to say, I feel this is a big step forward for them and definitely their strongest work to date. Which, considering how jaw-dropping Leviathan and Blood Mountain were, is saying a lot.

They've definitely taken their vocals to new heights. They don't flat out scream as much as previous albums, but it just makes the bellowing all the more powerful when they do let it out (i.e. Crack the Skye). Oblivion features some singing that they haven't attempted before, and it is awesome. Although, I cannot for the life of me tell which one is singing in the opening verse and its counterparts.

The album plays really nice listening all the way through, and I can't wait to truly hear it in full with The Last Baron capping it off.

Oblivion is one of the strongest opening tracks I've heard on any album in quite a while.

I can definitely hear the influence of the elements they've been name checking since they started talking about the album (prog rock, King Krimson, Pink Floyd). That said, it's still very much Mastodon. Any fan of theirs is going to be very, very pleased.

Brent's guitar work and solos on The Czar are absolutely mind numbing.

I'm guessing they might as they seem fond of vinyl, but it might not be until down the road a bit. For now, it's just the special edition version they're selling off their website: http://mastodonrocks.com

Right? Once it hits that chorus in Oblivion... wow. I knew I was in for something special when I couldn't pick my jaw off the floor at that moment. A big step forward for them.

If you loved the leap from Leviathan to Blood Mountain, you're going to shit yourself with this one.

I was really close to coming up for that Athens show. Wish I could've made it.

I've still never seen them live.

I love that cover of The Bit that they do. Have yet to hear Emerald.

I wish they'd do a live album. My guess is they will at some point.

I have one from Finland or something. Don't have my iPod with me so I can't check. I'll have to look around for some more boots for the time being.

No shit?! Link? Or did you hear this through sources?

I'm really big on supporting artists I love, and the ONLY reason I even downloaded it is because I was in a particularly bored/antsy mood AND, most importantly, I'd already shelled out $50 (with tax and all) for that special box/cd/dvd package.

I even BOUGHT Divinations from iTunes when it came out.

Aaaand... tour dates:

Fri Apr 10 Workplay Theater Birmingham, AL
Sat Apr 11 House of Blues New Orleans, LA
Mon Apr 13 Granada Theater Lawrence, KS
Tue Apr 14 Fox Theatre Boulder, CO
Thu Apr 16 Martini Ranch Phoenix, AZ
Sat Apr 18 Coachella Indio, CA
Sun Apr 19 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
Tue Apr 21 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
Wed Apr 22 Neumo’s Seattle, WA
Thu Apr 23 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
Fri Apr 24 MacEwen Ballroom Calgary, AB
Sat Apr 25 Starlite Ballroom Edmonton, AB
Sun Apr 26 The Odeon Saskatoon, SK
Tue Apr 28 The Garrick Winnipeg, MB
Wed Apr 29 Fine Line Music Hall Minneapolis, MN
Thu Apr 30 Metro Chicago, IL
Fri May 1 Crofoot Ballroom Pontiac, MI
Sat May 2 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
Mon May 4 Le National Montreal, QC
Tue May 5 Opera House Toronto, ON
Thu May 7 House of Blues Boston, MA
Fri May 8 TLA Philadelphia, PA
Sat May 9 Fillmore @ Irving Plaza New York, NY
Sun May 10 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
Tue May 12 9:30 Club Washington DC
Wed May 13 Cat’s Cradle Carbarro, NC
Thu May 14 Orange Peel Ashville, NC
Fri May 15 Center Stage Atlanta, GA

Why would "hipsters" be at a Mastodon show? Do they cling that hard to venues, regardless of who's playing?

Liked the video. I was pleased when the "power of the rock" was unveiled. Before that I was like, "boy, they're taking this a little seriously."

Cannot WAIT to see them in New Orleans in April.

Yeah, I downloaded the whole show from iTunes. Pretty good.

I have to say though, I have never seen one of their live shows, but all the clips I've seen and bootlegs I've heard... their voices sound really bad live.

Is this always the case? I mean, they botch most of the notes they're trying to hit in those vids you posted. I've heard some recordings where it's better than others.

But with the emphasis on singing with this album, I wondered if they'd improved that aspect of the live show. Doesn't seem like it.

But goddamn, they are some good musicians. I'm a guitarist, but sadly, I don't see myself ever being able to pull off the shit Brent does as smoothly/effortlessly as he does.

Also, interesting to see that is Brann singing the verses in Oblivion. I knew it didn't sound like Troy or Brent.