2004

Admittedly some of us were skeptical that the Georgia boys could top the ripping tech-metal masterpiece of "Remission". We learned that all doubts would put to rest in short order. MASTODON's "Leviathan" is an expansive and complex metal record sporting layer upon layer of amazing musicianship. Every track on the disc has moments that will have you shaking your head in amazement. Graceful acoustic passages swirl into immense riffs and collide with intricate percussion in ways that you simply must hear to believe. Tracks like "Seabeast" and "Naked Burn" shimmer with a practically perfect balance of lethal aggression and deft melodicism. Some clever guest vocal performances, a captivating album concept (based on Melville's literary classic "Moby Dick"), and Matt Bayles' vast and organic production made "Leviathan" an easy pick for our best album of 2004.

For the last few years, the men of CLUTCH have been more reliable than your little ol' Honda Civic. We've come to expect nothing less than the finest headbangin' jams from Fallon and the boys, but "Blast Tyrant" received and unprecedented raising-of-the-eyebrows at the Peacedogman camp. Frankly, this band has never sounded better. As evidenced in the compelling groove of “The Mob Goes Wild”, or the stirring, stomping blues of "The Regulator", this disc boasts the most scrumptious set of CLUTCH songs released to date. And if you haven't seen 'em live in a while, well...missing the boat would be an understatement. Just remember to adjust your pants so that you may dance the good time dance.

Picks of the litter, 2004: