31 Records To Listen To Instead Of Mastodon's "Once More 'Round The Sun"

“I mean, it’s a terrible record, man. I just don’t get it. If you’re gonna put out a record like that, just do a fucking side project or something, ya know?” -Phil Anselmo on Metallica's "Load"

It's clear as crystal that "Once More 'Round The Sun" isn't what got the initial mass of fans into Mastodon ten years ago at the time "Leviathan" was released. Yet it is exactly what got the second big wave of fans into Mastodon; at the time of "The Hunter"'s release. So what we've got here is a crowd of people who don't like the new sound, and some who adore it; plus the band making comments like "this is different stuff". The 'different' stuff answer might even be the case, but not in the way one might think it would be. "Crack The Skye" was different, yes, and so Mastodon, too. Why then the same thing can't be claimed to be true about Mastodon's next two records? If the band's decision to sing and abandon the growl on those were to be read as their mistake then "Crack The Skye" might as well been called into question; so, why it wasn't so? Because of the embracing of the prog rock structure. Yes, it is that simple. Mastodon, more or less, meant three things: mania, complexity, and a rock n' roll vibe most popular metal bands couldn't materialize even if they sold their collective souls to God, the Devil, and every demon in between; and "Crack The Skye" had two of those for sure.

Still, the entire argument about "Once More 'Round The Sun" not being Mastodon is only valid when seen through the scope of a fan who became a fan because of a certain understanding of the band's attitudes towards music at one point, something ceasing to exist now. Here is the problematic part with the notion of a 'band'. While it is always possible for an artist who produces music under his or her name to change the directions drastically every time he or she pleases, the same thing always causes major dispute for bands. So why is it so crucial for a band to go under the same moniker even though they realize what they're doing is in complete contrast with their origins? Obviously; recognition, fame, and factors of such. If Brann, Brent, Bill, and Troy were going to release the last two records as something other than Mastodon, neither Warner would have released their record, nor it would have reached the same number of people it has reached now. So their decision is a completely rational one if you've been wondering, and nevertheless one with numerous negative results.

Interviewer: Do you think that people who live from their music compromise on their artistry?
Steve Von Till: I don’t think it is a given, but I think it is more than likely true. There’s always an exception. Mastodon perhaps, time will tell. We love those guys and wish them the best, but they are in the belly of the beast and we’ll see how it goes. For us independence is important, even as people we are not willing to have people telling us what to do.

What Von Till said in that interview has been on my mind for the past three years. Up until the release of "The Hunter", Mastodon -- while always getting an equal amount of positive feedback -- have always been this weird band to most 'metal' listeners and/or critics; not because of the albums they're making today, but because of their otherworldly brand of metal. There have been always those who found them not particularly 'metal' and my claim here is that that the same people are now enjoying the new Mastodon. Mass media has been extremely supportive of the last two Mastodon records as they were never before. With Kerrang! awarding them the best album of the year title and so on. I believe that should be observed as a signal hinting us that something's very very wrong.

Why should they be enjoying what they've never been able to fully understand in the past? Because it has changed. Yes. And precisely in a way that it now pleases their pop-demanding ears. The songs lack instrumentality and are heavily vocal-driven. That's pop music, with the mere difference that it's been hailed as the contrary. That's also a sublime process of eliminating a threat in the music business that was Mastodon. Mastodon, if nothing else, manifested a hope for great music being possible through the medium of mass media and it sure as hell wasn't something that mass media wanted. Quite an amazing instance of situational irony when Brent shares his love for Zappa, whose long-time dispute with Warner is known to almost everyone.

Getting to the list, first, I wanna make a polite request to shut your pretty mouth up if you're one of the countless people who's enjoying the new record and simply continue your listen, for I don't aim at interrupting your nice experience, and please, don't come up with anything like this guy did; deathcore? Seriously, if you think early Mastodon is comparable to deathcore, you must be either out of your freaking lil mind or have found Mastodon thru a shitty magazine like Metal Hammer. In any case, my point here is simple: "Once More 'Round The Sun" isn't Mastodon, as with the one before it, and so I'm giving you a list of records, each of which can be counted as one damn good alternate choice. Enjoy your blast.

"Covenant"

Artist: Holocaust

Year Of Release: 1997

One of the finest examples of prog metal, a relatively underrated record from heavy metal veterans; Holocaust.

"Ox"

Artist: Coalesce

Year Of Release: 2009

When TDEP were busy infecting their music with pop vocals, getting inspired by Justin Timberlake, blah blah blah, Coalesce recorded one of the most brilliant comeback records of the past ten years. Personally, I think it hasn't been topped yet.

"Days Of Fire"

Artist: Meatjack

Year Of Release: 2003

Meatjack were capable of nearly anything; anything, except making money out of their music.

"Cryptomnesia"

Artist: El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez

Year Of Release: 2009

Back in 2009, the now deceased Mars Volta were also starting to make 'different' records, but then at least w/ Omar you always have this insane variety of outputs that one of his countless records of that year perfectly matched the Volta sound.

"Voyager"

Artist: Elodea

Year Of Release: 2010

This one's for those of you who are particularly fascinated by those Neurosis rip-offs on "Remission". Elodea's music is also an (unconscious) attempt to capture the Neurosis sound using a more 'metal' framework; and it sounds like early Isis, Meshuggah, Botch, and everything in between. Totally underrated compared to bands like Intronaut, the Ocean, or even Deadbird, if you ask me. I mean, just take note of that drumming; it's simply matchless.

"Subject To Change Without Notice"

Artist: Keelhaul

Year Of Release: 2003

People/and or websites like Last.fm usually suggest bullshit like Gojira and Red Fang when asked about a similar band to Mastodon. Wrong. The answer's Keelhaul.

"Intransience"

Artist: Zebulon Pike

Year Of Release: 2008

Prog metal band of the decade, period.

"Strap It On"

Artist: Helmet

Year Of Release: 1990

Sick, sharp-edged riffage w/ some pissed-as-hell vox on the top.

"Dollars For Red Books"

Artist: Four Hour Fogger

Year Of Release: 1999

If Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson came up with Sunn O))) when they tried to pay tribute to the Melvins, Four Hour Fogger was what Brent and Troy came up with, trying to do the same thing, their own way.

"Ruder Forms Survive"

Artist: Capricorns

Year Of Release: 2005

This is what happens when a punk/metal act gets influenced by a band like Oxbow.

"Redemption Is Only Skin Deep... It's Time To Cut Deeper"

Artist: Social Infestation

Year Of Release: 1998

Way better than Killer Be Killed. Way way better.

"Dimension Hatröss"

Artist: Voivod

Year Of Release: 1988

Who were the first prog metal band again? Sorry, I didn't catch you.. dream what? you mean Voivod? Right on.

"Larval"

Artist: Larval

Year Of Release: 1996

The term heavy-rock always sounds out of place, unless you're applying it to Larval.

"Praise"

Artist: Sweet Cobra

Year Of Release: 2003

Like Keelhaul, Sweet Cobra have a long-running history of touring/friendship with Mastodon, but unfortunately they don't get to play with them on the same bill anymore, obviously because they aren't as crap as phonies like Ghost to be liked by fans of Mastodon at this point.

"Ruins III"

Artist: Ruins

Year Of Release: 1988

Recommended for those of you who think could use more of that 'Bladecatcher'/'Capilarian Crest' type of madness on the (bass) fretboard, that is neither virtuoso nor fancy.

"It's Hard To Write With A Little Hand"

Artist: Lethargy

Year Of Release: 1996

Get your faces melted while Brann and Bill manifest mathcore at the time it hardly existed.

"You Ruin Everything"

Artist: Pigs

Year Of Release: 2012

From "Lifesblood" up until "Leviathan", the vox on Mastodon albums were extremely noisy, paying tribute to the kings of noise rock/metal: Unsane.

"Only Time Can Tell"

Artist: West End Motel

Year Of Release: 2012

The problem isn't with singing, the problem is with bad, pop-infected singing; the problem is that Brann, the same person who spoke in disregard of Britney Spears back in 2004, has been digging her shit for the past few years.

"Ideas Of Reference"

Artist: Psyopus

Year Of Release: 2004

Do the math yourself.

"Taste The Sin"

Artist: Black Tusk

Year Of Release: 2010

The success of bands like High On Fire and Mastodon gave enough credence to the idea of pacing up sludge that many bands started to ape that. One sole record out of the Savannah scene's numberless fast-paced sludge albums/bands that was just as flawless and classy -- more hardcore-rooted than math/prog but still close -- as early Mastodon was Black Tusk's "Taste The Sin".

"In The Arms Of God"

Artist: Corrosion Of Conformity

Year Of Release: 2005

COC's most intricate, unique effort. Highly recommended if you crave some jazzy drumming like that of Brann's on a metal record, for it is none other than Stanton Moore playing drums on this monster of an album.

"Beyond The Lightless Sky"

Artist: Hull

Year Of Release: 2011

Still underrated as fuck.

"Mother Teacher Destroyer"

Artist: The Hidden Hand

Year Of Release: 2004

"Blood Mountain" had major stoner rock vibes to it, especially considering the clean vox. I believe I even saw Troy wearing a Hidden Hand tee in one of the recording sessions.

"In The Eyes Of God"

Artist: Today Is The Day

Year Of Release: 1999

Wanna hear more of Brann's magic on drums? Today's the day.

"Fiend Without A Face"

Artist: Fiend Without A Face

Year Of Release: 1998

If you're curious to find out about the roots of Mastodon's surf-inspired curiosities that went down in metal history (e.g. 'Megalodon', 'Deep Sea Creature', 'Divinations'), you're in for a real treat.

"Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds"

Artist: 16

Year Of Release: 2012

Huge, huge punk riffs.

"Hold Your Horse Is"

Artist: Hella

Year Of Release: 2002

One of the other names considered by Brann and Bill, before they picked up Mastodon, was Satanic Rainbow. Also, Bill played in a band called Girdle, who had this one record called "Satanic Love Songs". Just saying.

"Unipsycho"

Artist: Papa Wheelie

Year Of Release: 2002

A little too stoned to catch up with one's Mastodonian definition of sludge, but still savage enough when it gets to the vox to count as a record you might wanna listen instead of Mastodon's ridiculous brand of pop metal; and yes, this is Metallica's Jason Newsted playing pissed off stoner riffs on the guitar -- wonder why people ignore his most brilliant project, Papa Wheelie? People are full of shit.

"Mammatus"

Artist: Mammatus

Year Of Release: 2006

Want psychedelia and want it dark like in "Revenge Gets Ugly" or "Crack The Skye"? Get into Mammatus.

"Transnational Speedway League"

Artist: Clutch

Year Of Release: 1993

The sonic definition of sickness; heavier than any death metal record released in the 2000's.

"Cargo"

Artist: Men At Work

Year Of Release: 1983

There were days listeners could actually go pick a pop record, and run into some music, too. This final record is for those of you who desperately want to listen to pop music and knowing Mastodon's last few records have been poppy and all, plan to buy "Once More 'Round The Sun".

Mastodon - The Hunter (2011)

Quite usual to see something about Mastodon here at HGFH. This time I'm going to review "The Hunter", the long-awaited record we've been talking about in the past four months. Starting with the knowledge that almost everything in the Mastodon universe has changed; namely, this is not a concept record, Paul Romano isn't the one who did the artwork, this is going to be "a fun record you can drink a beer to", and even the band logo has changed; one thing's certain, that we're not gonna have a sequel to "Leviathan" or even a "Crack The Skye" number 2.

With 13 tracks, running over 53 minutes, "The Hunter" is the lengthiest Mastodon record to date -- the other being "Blood Mountain" with 50 minutes -- but it's not as progressive as the previous records as it's not meant to be. The fact that this is supposedly a fun record would remind one of the other fun tracks they've recorded before, like 'Cut You With A Linoleum Knife'. Unfortunately, that is not the case. All of us know that Troy and Brent have altered their vocal approach ever since "Crack The Skye", with the aim of singing more and screaming less. And that did work in that particular album because of the nature of the genre (70's prog rock) but whether the same thing would work in a fun record too, I'm not too sure about it.

Obviously Brent's singing abilities could be be of enormous help, in such a scenario, given his other projects, West End Motel and the Blood Vessels, all revolve around them more or less, also, that his incorporation of the singing vocals leads back to "Leviathan" and before that Four Hour Fogger; but here again the chance has been missed, and we either don't get to hear Brent sing as often as say, Troy, or even Brann. Yes, that's right, Brann, who only sang occasionally in the past, can be heard on almost every song in "The Hunter", not aping King Diamond as in 'Cut You With A Linoleum Knife', but doing a more straightforward version of what he did in 'Oblivion' -- practically making the record sound even more radio, pop rock than before.

Musically, I had expected "The Hunter" to be heavier than "Crack The Skye", having in mind Bill's claim that he has contributed more riffs and all, but again, except for 'Spectrelight', we can hardly think of "The Hunter" as a metal record to begin with. I really don't like the term sludge pop, hence it might seem appropriate for a vast majority of Mastodon's music on "The Hunter". Overall, I was able to enjoy my later listens, though not as a Mastodon record, and I've got one damn good reason for saying so; that being Troy's own words about Mastodon:

"Our music and our stage show is very intense; it's very demanding. But it's basically because we choose to write this type of music that embodies everything dark and deep and brutal about life that we encounter, which are the same things everyone else encounters. We just take all this, and we channel it through what we call Mastodon."

Mastodon To Work With Aj Fosik For The Hunter's Artwork

So, Mastodon are going to work with Aj Fosik for "The Hunter"'s illustrations, and not with Paul Romano. I know every Mastodon fan will get a little bit worried since Paul's work has been a huge part of Mastodon from the early days, and for that matter, I've gathered some of Fosik's works to share them with you, including 'In The Teeth Of Stupefying' below, which was used for Mastodon's latest tour :

According to Brann, Fosik is currently working on "The Hunter"'s artwork and it will be ready around a month after now. Here are some of his other works:

Mastodon - Deathbound (2011)

The time has come, and the video for the new Mastodon song 'Deathbound' has been officially released. An unreleased track from Skye sessions, 'Deathbound' is a short, to-the-point tune; sonically like "Revenge Gets Ugly" and vocally "Blood Mountain"-like. The music video itself is a crazy Melvins sort of work. You can watch it here:

Mastodon's Next Album Is Called "The Hunter"

In a recent interview that Brann and Bill did with MTV Germany, Brann revealed that the next Mastodon album has already got a name: "The Hunter". Also that they've finished writing it. Apparently the title refers to a song about Brent's brother, who recently died in a hunting accident. Bill also confirmed that there are almost fifteen tracks on the album, with no long proggy songs anymore, and that the record is faster and crazier than "Crack The Skye" (Brent has compared it to "Leviathan" in it's level of simplicity).

Four Hour Fogger - Asteroids (Live In NOLA 1996)

Here's some rare footage from Four Hour Fogger's live performance in New Orleans, from 1996, in which they play 'Asteroids' off "Dollars For Red Books":

Four Hour Fogger - Dollars For Red Books (1999)

From around 1993 to 1999; while Brann and Bill were playing in Lethargy, the other two mastodudes were busy in Four Hour Fogger -- a band whose music can best be described as O.L.D. meeting Scratch Acid, judging by the tunes on their only release, 1999's "Dollars For Red Books".

Download Link

Knuckle

Recently one of the blog's fans asked me about Troy's band, Knuckle, so, here's the story:

Somewhere around '90 to '92, Troy played bass in a band called Knuckle. They didn't release anything but were quite an active live band. In one of their shows, Brent happened to be in the audience, and after the show he went there and asked Troy about forming a band with him (later to be called Four Hour Fogger). It is said in the same occasion, Brent mentioned something like having one hundred songs written.

Primate - Draw Back A Stump (2011)

If I were supposed to tell you the whole story about this EP in one phrase, it'd be something like 'sixteen minutes of kickass, old-school hardcore as seen by a bunch of grind freaks'. The primate in the band's name and in the album's cover is to scream, for one, whatever the 80's LA punk stood for -- the rebel, and the simplicity of the rebel. Even the Black Flag cover -- 'Drinking & Driving' -- could be seen as a pastiche, rather than a homage, since Primate is a project set to re-imagine Black Flag, just like Venomous Concept, was; Poison Idea. Now, count Primate, along with OFF!, Jello Biafra (And the Guantanamo School of Medicine), the Casualties, Arson Anthem, Adolescents, Sick of it All, and the endless crust, grind, and powerviolence bands out to there, and see if punk's still dead or not.

Official Store

The Blood Vessels

Brent's earliest attempts at playing what he always loved most, 70's psychedelic rock, were manifested in a project called the Blood Vessels, years prior to "Crack The Skye". It is unclear whether the Blood Vessels is finished or it's only in hiatus for the moment. The project itself was never as active as Brent's other bands, like Fiend Without A Face, West End Motel, or even the now defunct, Four Hour Fogger; as they didn't release anything at all, except for two demo tracks, 'I Was Gonna Do It', which was later transformed into a Mastodon song ('Pendulous Skin'), 'Bite', and three other tracks that have been only played live (see the videos below).

Bully With Troy Sanders Of Mastodon

 
There's news for those of you who think Troy is the only member of Mastodon who isn't currently involved in a sideproject. Rock band Bully have recorded some new material with Troy taking over bass duties, and they've even performed a couple of gigs with him, in the recent weeks.

Here are some pics of Troy in the studio and on stage, with Bully: