4 keepers
keeper avg .363
On their seventh album Mastodon continue the preference for relatively focused, intense bursts over sprawling epics, and combine driving tempos and memorable melodies rather than mindlessly head-banging. As the most aesthetically pleasing singer in the band it's no surprise that drummer Brann Dailor's vocals are featured on no less than eight songs, a similar proportion to the previous album "Once More 'Round the Sun" (2014). His rousing melodies and delivery power songs such as the practically dance-y "Show Yourself"**** and "Ancient Kingdom" beyond impressive musicality to mainstream accessibility. However, the combination of three singers with vastly different styles definitely helps Mastodon craft songs with a variety of textures; "Precious Stones" and riff-fest "Clandestiny"**** are just two tracks that are all Troy Sanders / Brent Hinds and highly sing-able.
As the members' vocals become more memorable the band's impressive musical creativity continues to shine through in moments such as the arpeggiated opening of "Scorpion Breath," atmospheric interludes in "Roots Remain" and "Clandestiny," and Hinds' surprising bridge in "Ancient Kingdom." If the album has one stand-out track it's the Monster Magnet-like stoner rocker "Steambreather"*****, crushing all in its path with a pummeling riff and Dailor's swaggering, syncopated swing. The album's one epic, the nearly 8-minute "Jaguar God"****, closes the album with the with stylistic sweep of Crack the Skye, bookending a driving middle section with Hinds' surprisingly atmospheric "Nothing Else Matters" first act and his expressive closing solo.
On a side note I've never had such a weird feeling of deja vu, picturing Metalocalypse montage segments, as I did listening repeatedly to "Roots Remain" and "Ancient Kingdom." While half of Mastodon's discography preceded the very existence of Dethklok (the fictional band of Metalocalypse who actually toured with Mastodon a decade ago) I can't say for sure if the similarities are cross-pollination, the parody influencing the artist, or if these interludes were in Mastodon's wheelhouse all along and I just don't remember. Memory isn't what it used to be.
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