![]() The tradition continues with Neurosis's Scott Kelly as guest vocalist on the second to last song. It is evident that our boys from Atlanta are going for the throat here. ![]() The vocals are mostly clean as they've been for sometime now, yet there is a extra element of passion within the words they spew forth. Those weird Mastodon prog riffs are back working their quirky magic inside that part of your brain that holds you imagination. Such well thought out solos that add emotional fever to the compositions. ![]() He does have his time in the lime light as well where he could show off his skills, Bill and Brent's guitar work is maybe at their peak. Troy's bass in very audible and lays down the foundation that these beasts can storm through. He may have the quickest hands in the business. Brann seems to be taken off his leash as he sets forth a fury of rapid jazz inspired drum fills. Really there is no song that you will feel compelled to skip over. Such as those on "Word to the Wise" and "Ancient Kingdom". There are some catchy choruses here that once accustomed to, you will find your self singing along with. "Clandestiny" is a hook infested tune that has a moment that you would expect on a song from the band Kansas. " Roots Remain" one of the album's longer tracks is a journey all in it's self, at times in a fast frenzied pace then slowing down as Brann gives a heart clenching vocal moment complete with a beautiful guitar solo and a haunting piano outro. Really though this collection has so many surprises in store. It's sludgy crawling groove with these jaw dropping leads that just seem to be soaring into your cranium. When you listen to the song " Steam Breather" you very well may believe it. ![]() There have been silly boasts that the guitar tracks were recorded inside the moon. " Crack the Skye" producer Brendan O'Brien has returned and he captures the band's sound like no one. Making it very understandable why this very well may be the most emotional album the four men have ever recorded.Īs the album opens with those chimes summoning your attention Mastodon takes us on a journey that only they can create. Some of the group have experienced the torment of cancer in their own families. The metaphor even lives within the album's title as sand can represent " the sands of time". This is a metaphor for a person suffering from cancer. This work however is about a man's thoughts as he's cursed to walk and suffer in the intense desert heat until we eventually dies. They have returned to their beloved concept format. " Emperor of Sand" is Mastodon's seventh full length. All contribute to the lead vocals but Bill and all vocalists are easily distinguishable. Then you have the big goofy off the wall maniac in guitarist Brent Hinds. The down to earth working man with bassist Troy Sanders. The quiet introverted guitarist in Bill Keilliher. You have Brann Dailor the spastic drummer with the off kilt persona. There hasn't been a lineup change since they started touring in 2001. Mastodon is a very interesting band as is anyway. Just like that I reentered the Metal realm, and Mastodon was a big reason. About ten years ago a friend of mine played " Colony of Birchmen" in his car, needless to say I was intrigued and bought " Blood Mountain ". Slowly as the years went by I would be lured in. Mastodon is a special band for me ,you see after I got married and started a family I kind of dropped out of Metal. Then I said to my self " What the fuck Nunzie if you have something to say, say it mofo!"Yeah my inner self talks like that. Greeting fellow non- believers of the church of corporate greed.I wasn't going to review this album knowing that we all would be bombarded with a plethora of critiques on such an important release.
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