Mastodon - Emperor of Sand (2017)

With a discography that is flat out remarkable, Mastodon has in short time created more amazing albums than most bands could create in a life time, even less in consecutive tries. So it is kind of hard to believe that Mastodon started out as a fairly obscure sludge metal band, and are now arguably the biggest of them all in this day and age. However, some time the luck has to run out right? It seems like the band is on the verge of going the same ways as Metallica, and go more commercialized than one would hope. Both "The Hunter" and "Once More 'round The Sun" has almost hinted that, missing most of the sludge and prog elements that have made Mastodon so large in the first place, being more direct in its approach, and fans are on the verge to screaming for the older stuff again.

With the emergence of "Emperor of Sand", I was of course curious if they would take it another step forward, and if it would still work, because truth be told, "The Hunter" and "Once More..." are still fantastic albums (with the latter being the best from 2014 in my opinion). The two lead singles have hinted that, especially the video single "Show Yourself", which does have an awesome and funny video, is probably as mainstream as it goes. It is really straight forward, catchy, clean, and all in all safe in its approach. A good choice for a single, absolutely, but does it represent the album? No, it does not.

Because while "Emperor of Sand" does continue on what the band has done for the last 6 years, there are a lot of old stuff thrown in too, like the fact that we once again have a concept record on our hands, about a man sentenced to walk in the desert for the rest of his life, representing tragedies that the band have been through within their families. The sound also has a more retro feel, even if it technically is more of the cleaner direction that the band has gone towards lately, so do not expect any "Blood And Thunder" here.

But what can you expect from "Emperor of Sand" then? Well, it is a grower for sure, every subsequent listen makes the album evolve and makes you wanna come back for more. For while the songs themselves are not quite the buffest group ever, they work very well together, creating a complete album that works out of each other's strengths. We get some groove, some mystical, some (or more correctly very little) sludge, yeah mostly everything that we have gotten to know from the band. The variety is really strong, while the band still manages to contain it to a grounded level so that everything feels united.

But what really elevates this album to the all high Mastodon standard is the performance from the band, which is just stellar as usual (even if Hinds and Kelliher did not break the riff bank this time). The thing I am most impressed by are the vocals, running the show like never before. Hinds, Dailor, and Sanders harmonize better than ever, feeling more confident with their inner instruments and also tries to expand their abilities further, and together with long time friend and regular album guest Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Mastodon has truly created a diverse and cool vocal experience.

However, I do not really see any of the songs in here becoming future fan classics. Sure, you will always find your own personal favourites from this album, maybe the tempo shifting "Word To The Wise", the melodic "Clandestiny", the epic finisher "Jaguar God", or the classic Mastodon songs "Precious Stones" and "Scorpion Breath", but it will almost certainly end in that you only get reminded of similar, and simply better, Mastodon songs from the past. Once again, unlike "Once More 'round The Sun" this album is not about the strength of the songs, it is about the complete picture and the concept.

I really was unsure at first, was this album actually gonna let me down? Mastodon, who are the masters of awesome, actually making a mediocre album? Fortunately, "Emperor of Sand" did turn things around, unveiling as a really nice work of art. Sure, it does not match amazing albums like "Blood Mountain" and "Crack The Skye", and it could even be considered as one of the lesser good albums the band has ever made, but I still love it and the charm it brings. Just like the main focus of the concept, this album is all about time. Give enough of it, and you will understand too how marvelous it can be, and that it do have its own place in the magnificent Mastodon discography.

Songs worthy of recognition: Word To The Wise, Steambreather, Roots Remain, Scorpion Breath

Rating: 8/10 Andromedas

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Once More 'round The Sun

Mastodon - Once More 'round The Sun (2014)

When it comes to the Atlanta band Mastodon, there is only one thing to expect when entering a new album from them. The unexpected. Since its creation in 1999, Mastodon has spoiled us with a massive variety in both musicality and creativity. You never know what the band will throw at you next, which is only one of the things that has helped them gain the fame and reputation that they currently possess.

"Once More 'round The Sun" is album number 6 from the band, and at first, it seems to be a continuation on what the band started in their last album, "The Hunter". A straight forward album that puts its focus on heavy riffs and memorable songs. But the more you listen to the album, the more progressive it seems. And that is what makes "Once More 'round The Sun" so special, progressive and high soaring melodies are mixed with simple memorable choruses. The first single "High Road" is a perfect example of that. The main riff is simple, but effective, and it does not take much effort to learn the chorus, but then we have the solo part that takes the song to a totally different level. It is controlled madness at its best.

The crazy thing is that even if I love "High Road", it is actually one of the weaker songs in the album. Because just like almost every other Mastodon album, the biggest strength with "Once More 'round The Sun" is that all of the songs have a ridiculously high standard. And most of the credit for that goes to the amazing instrumentation by the band, especially the drumming (and some of the singing) by Brann Dailor is exceptionally awesome.

Another strong point with the album is that it shows a big variety in songs, but it still has a red line that makes the album feel like one cohesive piece. "The Motherload" is a very simple, but highly addictive song that could be a potential live favourite, while the title track sounds like a classic Mastodon track mixed with some Rush melodies. Then we have "Chimes At Midnight" that shows the classic Mastodon madness with a main riff that will haunt me for weeks, which I do not mind at all. I also enjoy the nice groove attack that "Halloween" brings, the rapid fire attack from "Tread Lightly" and the calmer moments in "Asleep In The Deep".

Is "Once More 'round The Sun" Mastodon's strongest album up to date? No, it is not, but it is hard to deny that it is another fantastic high quality piece from the band. It may be the band's most commercial album up to date, but that does not mean that the band has sold out themselves. "Once More 'round The Sun" is still Mastodon to the bone and it is a fantastic roller coaster ride for both old and new fans of the band. This album (and its crazy cover art) will definitely be one of the top contenders of "Album of the year" when I summarize 2014 in December.

Songs worthy of recognition: Chimes At Midnight, The Motherload, Once More 'round The Sun, Asleep In The Deep, Halloween

Rating: 9,5/10 High Roads