4.5 STARS
Remissions, Leviathan, Blood Mountain and now … Crack the Skye. There isn't any other way to preface a review of Mastodon's new record, an album written by a band of musicians who define themselves by progression - devastating progression. Before continuing, I must issue a warning to the indie community who might feel the urge to claim Mastodon as their own: Although they are influenced by enough throwbacks to writhe your button down shirt into a plaid pattern (it's OK, I wear them too), Mastodon is not an indie band. Mistaking them as such could lead to a number of potential injuries, including bruised eardrums and puncture wounds. These potentialities will be realized upon discovering Mastodon's iron tusks. They are a metal band, so prepare your ears for a rocking, a hard rocking.
Lyrically, Crack the Skye is a concept album about Tsarist Russia that features golden umbilical cords, wormholes and an appearance by Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin. In other words, I have the feeling that the only way I'll be able to put together the astral projections of this record is if I'm in an altered state of mind … but hot damn does this album rock! The opening tracks of Mastodon's records are usually written with the same aggression as someone bludgeoning another person in the head with a brick, but not the opening track of Crack the Skye. Instead, "Oblivion" was written with the same aggression as someone hiding a brick, waiting to later bludgeon a person in the head with it. Older Mastodon fans will definitely recognize the difference.
"Oblivion" begins with a slow guitar lead accompanied by warring drums, which transition into technical, mid-tempo guitar riffing and a solid drumbeat. One of the biggest differences between Mastodon's last album, Blood Mountain, and their earlier albums is their inclusion of melodic singing. A majority of the vocals in the opening track of Crack the Skye are melodic, which offers a hint to the listener that there will be an even greater reliance on actual singing rather than harsh screaming. With vocal duties divided among their lead guitarist, bassist and drummer, the vocals are surprisingly effective in complimenting one another, as they are able to croon their way through "Oblivion" and most of the album. Before the chorus runs one last time, the lead guitarist rips a solo so bluesy that you can tell this brutish beast has a heart.
The opening track of Crack the Skye gives the listener a good idea of what to expect from the rest of the album. Mastodon thrive on their technical proficiency as musicians and their mastery of song dynamics. Evidence of these abilities comes in the form of epic songs such as "The Czar" and "The Last Baron," both running more than 10 minutes. Mastodon keep these songs alive with a variety of tempo changes and time signatures that evoke different moods and keep the songs interesting. A problem with many of today's modern metal bands is that they are obsessed with technical instrumentation, which could overwhelm the listener's ear. Although Crack the Skye is Mastodon's most complex album to date, they balance their technicality with more subtle moments and atmospheric sounds.
To those who question if Mastodon has gone too far in the realm of progressive stoner rock, let me offer you some reassurance: Mastodon has not lost its bite. If you are a musician, listening to Crack the Skye will make you fear your instrument. If you doubt my review, put your instrument down, place your ear on the ground and you will hear the call of the Mastodon.
Now that you've read about it, listen to it. Visit phoenixdiversions.wordpress.com for this week's streaming content.
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