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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > October > 29 > Entry
Mastodon’s upcoming album title revealed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mastodon at Southern Tracks Studios in early September, where they were finishing up work on their upcoming 2009 follow-up to the Grammy-nominated “Blood Mountain.” From left, guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds, drummer Brann Dailor, guitarist Bill Kelliher, touring keyboardist Rich Morris and bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders.
Atlanta rock behemoth Mastodon has a new album coming in the early part of 2009. Until today, it didn’t have a title, but the band’s label Reprise has revealed that it will be called “Crack the Skye.” We got a taste of “Crack the Skye” at Southern Tracks Studios back in September before sitting down to speak with drummer Brann Dailor (see part of that interview here). Producer Brendan O’Brien gave us a sneak preview of three of the album’s shorter tracks, and here are some first impressions:
“Quintessence”
Dailor’s drums rampage around the calm eye of a hurricane while Troy Sanders distant voice seems stranded in a choral sea. Then it all comes together for one of the band’s most memorable melodies. The song is in a constant state of flux, with new motifs around every corner. With “Quintessence,” Mastodon demonstrates, once again, a remarkable grasp of subtlety for such a powerhouse band.
“Divinations”
The rolling guitar riff recalls Led Zeppelin’s “Achilles’ Last Stand,” but the twinned guitar fills will have visions of Thin Lizzy dancing in your head. More rafter-rattling drumming from Dailor, but the best bit is the way the buzzing guitar solo fades in.
“Oblivion”
Compared with the band’s earlier work, the harmonies are brighter, the dynamics more brutal here. The overall sound of Mastodon as produced by O’Brien - who came into the studio to crank this one up - is cleaner without losing the band’s distinguishing metallic chug. The textured, cascading guitar makes this classic metal re-imagined for the new millennium.
Here is the complete track listing for the album:
“Oblivion”
“Divinations”
“Quintessence”
“The Czar”
(I) Usurper
(II) Escape
(III) Martyr
(IV) Spiral
“Ghost of Karelia”
“Crack The Skye”
“The Last Baron”
Mastodon has also been tapped as the opener for Metallica’s European tour in the summer of 2009.
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