Band Origin: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Genre: Sludge Metal / Progressive
Label: Reprise
Running Time: 53 minutes
Release Date: September 26, 2011
Best Part: The Sparrow
Favorite Tracks: Octopus Has No Friends, The Sparrow, Stargasm, Spectrelight, and Blasteroid
Grade: 5
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The Hunter in 20 words or less:
A slightly toned down Mastodon returns with another slight shift in sound, that makes it one of their best records yet.
The Band:
Mastodon is a four member sludge metal band playing out of Atlanta that has amassed a large following of supporters since their debut album Remission. Mastodon features a soundscape that utilizes elements of sludge metal, psychedlic and progressive metal, creating a fusion of genres and sounds that shift slightly from album to album. While each of their labums maintains the same core progressive and sludge metal style, each one has its own tone and feel to go along with it. Mastodon is known for building albums around the relation with classical elements, many of these being concept albums.
Mastodon's previous releases include: Remission (2002), Leviathan (2004), Blood Mountain (2006), and Crack the Skye (2009)
Jay's Take on The Hunter:
There's a few things one needs to know about The Hunter if it's their first time listening to Mastodon ever, or in quite some time. The Hunter is less progressive than their previous work, particularly that of their last record Crack The Skye. It is also their first non-concept album since their debut album Remission, and is the first album not be related to a classical element. The Hunter is essentially a total shift in pace from what some expect from Mastodon, but still inherently remains just that - Mastodon. Drummer Brann Dailor even said that the album is a little more stripped down, giving it a feel similar to that of their sophomore album Leviathan, and features more songwriting contributions from all the band members, rather than primarily guitarist and lead vocalist Brent Hinds. All of that being said, The Hunter is a great album, and in true Mastodon style demonstrates the ability of the band to cross boundaries and shift their sound, and end up all the better for it. It has all the elements of their previous work, odd instrumentation, sludge-a-rific riffs, a toned down but still present progressive style and some psychedelic feel. And don't forget the top notch vocals of bassist Troy Sanders and Brent Hinds, as always. It also features guest vocals by Scott Kelly of Neurosis on the track Spectrelight.
I mentioned earlier in the week that Dualism by Textures had made a record worthy of consideration for top honors in my albums of the year, but another candidate had arrived just days later - that candidate being The Hunter. Asides from just being a sucker for Mastodon, it also happens to just be that good of a record, despite some peoples gripes with it.
Sample of the Day:
Today, a little Spectrelight, and the closing track The Sparrow.
- J
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