I lived in Hotlanta between ’92 and ’99 and had the pleasure of seeing Brent Hinds play for FIEND WITHOUT A FACE and FOUR HOUR FOGGER. The former a 3 piece with him doing the lead vocals and guitar. Kind of like REVEREND HORTON HEAT meets THE DEAD KENNEDYS. There were quite a few guitar solos. The latter, which also featured MASTODON bassist Troy Sanders, had no guitar solos. It was a four guy thing with a lead singer, one guitar, bass and drums. When I cornered him after a gig all I got was “It’s just all like drones and stuff”. It’s a good thing he lost that mindset when MASTODON got off the ground. Fuck holding back I say. Less is just less, not more.

“Sleeping Giant’ has some fuzz bass to contrast the clean and acoustic guitars a la early METALLICA. “Capillarian Crest” has the crazy lightning fast tapping mixed with a crazy structure. Not to be outdone “Circle Of Cysquatch” gets things going with appregiated and delayed guitars. The vocoder effected voice gives the impression of a cyber sasquatch. Next up is instrumental “Bladecatcher” that contains some of the best guitarwork anywhere. “Colony Of Birchmen” has Troy really stepping up on the vocal front. It is a perfect example of the improved ability of this unit’s penchant for good songwriting as well as chops. The remaining four compositions hold their own and closing track “Pendulous Skin” has the group mellowing out a bit. It comes real close to being a ballad. Along with their elected instrumentation is what sounds like a Hammond B3. I hope the next release shows them with two or three of these types of songs. Like I really give a fuck what their hardcore fan base thinks. Likewise, there shall be plenty of metal aspirants to aspirate the metal gospel according to MASTODON. The future is now. The future of metal is MASTODON. Do believe the hype for a change.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.mastodonrocks.com

RELATED ITEMS: MASTODON - "Leviathan", 2004