Artist: Mastodon
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: 5/28/02
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: Remission Artist: Mastodon Label: Relapse Records Release Date: 5/28/02
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Requiem (7/10/02):
Somehow the debut Mastodon release slipped by these metal saturated eardrums. However, Remission commanded my immediate attention with its progressive and distinctly original sound. I was thinking upon the first few listens, "Christ, this sounds a lot like the drummer off of Today is the Day's In the Eyes of God LP". Low and behold, it was! Damn I'm good. But seriously speaking, the band actually consists of past TITD members Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher. You can hear the influences rubbing off, but this stuff has a mind of it's own, and a good mind at that.It's really tough to describe the style of Mastodon because believe it or not they are very original sounding. Today is the Day influences scratch the surface of what you hear, but these four guys click in a much more crushing manner. Most of this is probably due to the inhuman drum pounding of Brann over the crunchier guitar attack these guys approach. They leave a lot of space for Mr. Dailor to tear the drums to pieces while still keeping their usual midpaced and head bobbing grooves. I can't say enough about this drummer, except that he ranks up with the best of 'em. The guitars also have their chance to exhibit the skills with off time dissonant rhythms and slick, harmonized, worm-like riff patterns. Amidst all the chaos is the bestial, low register yells of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders. He adequately holds down the bottom end heaviness while delivering his lyrics in a brutally forceful nature.
All is pieced together in such a manner that it is undoubtedly progressive heavy metal in a manner I have yet to hear till now. At times the band hits some mellow, jazz meets Voivod-ish sections. "Ol'e Nessie" is a fine example of this, which happened to be the show opener on the 2 times I saw them perform on their current tour with High on Fire. Moments like this really break up the chaos and drummer Brann makes it interesting as hell to listen to. He maintains a great feel while simultaneously going house on the drumkit. Album highlight has to go to the end of "Mother Puncher" which has a slowed down octave chord riff that just pummels. It's an attention grabber by all means.
To make a long story short, I can't say enough good things about this album. Most Relapse releases haven't been getting my seal of approval lately just due to the fact that most of it doesn't satisfy my appetite stylistically, but there are a few winners that stand out such as Today is the Day and now the mighty Mastodon. If you like your music progressive, well written and heavy as hell, it's all here. These guys are a force of metallic catchiness and are most likely going to blow minds across the map, and multiply their fans at a rate faster than Gremlins in water.
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