Crack the Skye, the new opus from the Atlanta, Georgia quartet is an absolutely stunning release.
The band continued the sort of 'elemental' theme that has been present in their last couple releases, Remission (Fire), Leviathan (Water, duh), and Blood Mountain (Earth). Now, with Crack the Skye, the supposed fourth element, Air is represented.
This is a special album for me. It was my first real concept album and opened the door for me to progressive music in general. I have heard it performed live twice, each time a mesmerizing experience. Spectacular album all around.
I do really like the albums that came after this album, but none of them can really compare to the inspiration so fully on display in this album; 00s Mastodon was something else
They've recently uploaded part 1 of what will presumably be a series of retroactive videos they made whilst producing the album:
It's cool hearing them talk so positively about the album, knowing that it's actually go on to be held in the kind of esteem they were hoping for. Also nice hearing Brent talking quite a bit; he was barely in the Emperor of Sand making of documentary.
Kinda disappointed by this one, I expected something great after reading all these comments but apart from the last track I'm not the biggest fan of it, especially the vocals, really don't like the voice for some reason
Kinda disappointed by this one, I expected something great after reading all these comments but apart from the last track I'm not the biggest fan of it, especially the vocals, really don't like the voice for some reason
----
Ride a horse that's cleaving through the air and space of dreams.
There's no doubt this is a very good album but it doesn't exite me nearly as much as Leviathan. The title song and The Czar which are amongst the band's best work but everything else hovers around the decent/good stuff. As per usual Dailor's drumming skills are the highlight for me.
This album doesn't show up when you filter for progressive metal in the top album thingy.
Is it because the genre is listed as "Progressive stoner metal" instead of "progressive metal" and "stoner metal"? If so, that's a shame, as I feel like it really deserves to be in that list.
This album doesn't show up when you filter for progressive metal in the top album thingy.
Is it because the genre is listed as "Progressive stoner metal" instead of "progressive metal" and "stoner metal"?
Yes, unfortunately it is exactly like that.
The prefixed part of the style is ignored in filter functions and also in the "top styles" overview of your collection. Somehow this even makes sense, because many additional descriptions like "blackened" or "depressive" are not really a genre when considered separately.
Yes, unfortunately it is exactly like that.
The prefixed part of the style is ignored in filter functions and also in the "top styles" overview of your collection. Somehow this even makes sense, because many additional descriptions like "blackened" or "depressive" are not really a genre when considered separately.
Makes sense to me.
In this case though, I think it's more a progressive metal album than a stoner one. But then I don't know much about stoner metal in general, so I'm not going to complain any further
This is an album where I just know it's better than it sounds to me. Aside from "Oblivion" and "Crack the Skye" I find it to be kinda whatever, but I know there must be great stuff in the other songs if I just had the patience for it.
The Last Baron, to this day, is their absolute best imo.
It's an absolute masterclass in songwriting. My personal favorites are The Czar and Divinations but from a conceptual standpoint, The Last Baron is beautifully written.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
The Last Baron, to this day, is their absolute best imo.
It's an absolute masterclass in songwriting. My personal favorites are The Czar and Divinations but from a conceptual standpoint, The Last Baron is beautifully written.
I respect this opinion, and to be honest me saying "absolute" is deceptive as the others are still close contenders, the whole album is consistently good after all, in one way or the other.
This conversation reminds me that I need to listen to this album again - if we're talking favourite tracks, the title track is phenomenal. I remember the first and most recent times I saw Mastodon, they had Crack The Skye and Ghost Of Karelia in the setlists, and both sounded amazing. In terms of 'best' song, the long ones are fantastic, The Czar in particular, but they absolutely knocked it out the park on this one
I was conciously avoiding to listen to this album because I knew how prog it is (I'm not a big fan of prog). I mean I listened to a few songs here and there, but not the album as a whole.
I found it at my local record store a week ago on offer, 3 CDs for £5, so I was like 'I might as well listen to it now, it's been long overdue'. The CD hasn't left my car since, and I've been listening to it all the time. I've been beating myself for not giving it more of a chance all those years ago when I discovered Mastodon. There's nothing I dislike in this album, it's just so good.
I was conciously avoiding to listen to this album because I knew how prog it is (I'm not a big fan of prog). I mean I listened to a few songs here and there, but not the album as a whole.
I found it at my local record store a week ago on offer, 3 CDs for £5, so I was like 'I might as well listen to it now, it's been long overdue'. The CD hasn't left my car since, and I've been listening to it all the time. I've been beating myself for not giving it more of a chance all those years ago when I discovered Mastodon. There's nothing I dislike in this album, it's just so good.
Better late than never. Glad you finally got to enjoy one of the best albums ever made
I loved this album pretty much since 2010 and its still going as one of my absolute favorites (some songs like Ghost of Karelia, Oblivion and The Last Baron never left my cellphone playlist). I gave this whole album another spin today and it is just as good as the first time!