Timeblog.net

So I had already turned off my computer and retreated to reading, but as usual I grew restless AND had told myself to write the Mastodon piece today so I turned it on again. So here I am, facing the incredibly difficult job of talking about Blood Mountain.

Mastodon are one of the most unusual bands. Their sound is unique, in some ways it seems to be alive and breathing. The drummer, Brann Dailor, plays a major role in this. I really think of him as a possible heir to Neil Peart’s throne. He is not only incredibly fast and versatile, he knows how to treat a drumset like a melodic instrument. His playing just fills and completes the songs. Songs this dynamic could not be done without drumming this good. But the rest of the band, the harmonics in the guitars, even the vocals, fit right in and together mute into some kind of beast of a sound that much fits the themes the band plays about.

The packaging of this CD is superb. The drawings in the booklet and the layout with gold colors is done with so much care that I really wished the CD would come as a digpak and not in a crystal case. Although I don’t even have the slightest clue what the lyrics want to tell me, just looking through the booklet in a childish way (only looking at the pictures) is a visual extension of the audible experience Mastodon gives the willing listener.
In comparison to their last album, this album is less Metal and more Rock, which may lead to some parts that sound not entirely convincing, where they could have done something more interesting. Overall, it’s hard to pick out songs, as I mentioned Mastodon are an overall experience. You will rather find memorable parts than whole songs. But still, two songs stand out, the quick and dirty opener, “The Wolf Is Loose” which does exactly what the title says. Then, the instrumental “Bladecatcher” with it’s strange squeaky noises that annoyed me at first but soon I liked them so much I skipped to that song just to hear that squeaking again!
The last song has a hidden track, so it’s 22 minutes long. I find this highly annoying and unnecessary, especially because I rip the songs to my harddrive and/or MP3 player to hear them and that didn’t even catch the bonus track. I think the surprise effect of hidden tracks wore off some 20 years ago and now is only a poor means to hide that a CD is really only 45 minutes long (which is exactly enough for this CD, or it would become tiresome).
But of course this does nothing to the music, which you really should try out to see if it works for you! At least, you will have fun with “The Wolf Is Loose” and if you like that, you can let the whole CD do some Magic for you! My rating is 8.5/10.
Check their MySpace site for some samples.
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