(Relapse) Total Time: 46:49
Relapse records hits us again with another summer release. After NEUROSIS , DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN , TODAY IS THE DAY here is the new MASTODON album. A new effort from a band that has already create a lot of noise noise 2 years and 3 months ago (to be exact) with their first full length “Remission”, an album that won both the critics and the fans who accepted it in the most positive was. So is that fuss around this band justified or not? Eehh… I can’t hold on I’ll get straight to the point: “Leviathan” is here to prove to everyone that MASTODON is not a common band. MASTODON is one of the most talented bands of heavy music. They have the ability to convert every song to a musical trip. Not by playing extremely complex and difficult parts, but by playing with their hearts and following their instincts, which lead them through the inexhaustible roads of music. MASTODON manage to mix all their countless influences to each of their songs in the most original and charismatic way. Every song is an unstoppable jamming. You have the sense that even the band itself, when the song begins, doesn’t knows what will play next , they just improvise, a free style stuff, a totally musical orgy with a really jazzy feeling. Every song is a painting full of different colors, ideas feelings impressed in the most personal, original and unique way. Just listen to songs like “Megalodon” and “Hearts Alive”.
The guitars (Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher) play everything you can imagine. Melodic parts , hard rock, classic metal, proggresive, technical thrash, mathcore and I am sure that I forget to mention a dozen more! Brann Dailor once again proves why he is one of the best –I mean the BEST- drummer you have ever heard. Troy Sanders (bass/vocals) is the surprise of the album, not only because of his bass playing which is awesome once more, but also with vocal performance that is a lot different from the “Remission” album. The brutal vocals are now fewer and he adds clear and melodic parts in his way of singing that fit perfect to the songs. Matt Bayles in the recording and mixing chair creates a superb sound. A very live sound not so polished as the previous CD, but a little muddy, the music has the first say here, so the vocals are a little bit behind. I also have to mention the cover art that is fantastic for one more time. After the dream horse pictured in the cover of “Remission”, now they did it again with an awesome Moby Dick influenced cover . See it and admire it.
I really don’t know if MASTODON is the “future of metal” as Kerrang has written (I am not a fucking expert journalist…. I am just a music lover), but the only thing that I do know is that MASTODON made me feel happy, optimistic and enthusiastic about the music that I love, after a long period. “Leviathan” is a complete work from every point of view. MASTODON is one of the biggest bands of today. The only thing that I advice you is, not to loose the opportunity to get this album as soon as possible. I think it’s very nice to live the big events when they take place and not when the years have passed. And MASTODON are here and scream for their existence with a masterpiece. Live the big things NOW!!
