I actually really like "High Road", can't wait for this release.

I want it ,especially High Road.

Pre-ordered the LP package from Stereo Boutique. Can't wait to get it.

Leak!!!
Will listen to it today!

Written by The Philosopher on 13.06.2014 at 12:39

Just listened it.

It's their best album.

While I find this extremely exagerated, at first I thought the same thing. For me, I'd say its one of their best and a really strong 2014 release

Uninspired and boring album. Not even close to their first three classic albums and nothing memorable here as well despite being a decent record.

I'm genuinely impressed with this. Not as good as Leviathan, Remission, nor Crack The Skye, but it's a great album. I've given a few listens, and I have to say, by releasing High Road (my least favorite song on the album) first, they severely lowered my expectations. Really nice release, and to me it is a welcomed addition to the fantastic repertoire Mastodon have built up.

I find this album to be good enough to enjoy for a few spins. No complaints whatsoever since I never expected them to top any of their previous albums though they sort of topped The Hunter imo.

Very good album but not as good as The Hunter!

On my Listen to List ! Very soooon.

Really enjoyed this album

Written by Alex F on 17.06.2014 at 17:48

I'm genuinely impressed with this. Not as good as Leviathan, Remission, nor Crack The Skye, but it's a great album. I've given a few listens, and I have to say, by releasing High Road (my least favorite song on the album) first, they severely lowered my expectations. Really nice release, and to me it is a welcomed addition to the fantastic repertoire Mastodon have built up.

I will never understand why they thought it was a good idea to release "High Road" as the teaser/single. That chorus is horrible and not getting any better with repeat listens. Every single other song is better, especially "Motherload", "Chimes at Midnight" and "Ember City." Maybe it was their plan all along to lower expectations so people would be pleasantly surprised?

Written by Introspekrieg on 23.06.2014 at 00:25
Maybe it was their plan all along to lower expectations so people would be pleasantly surprised?

Also not sure if that was their intent, but it definitely worked on me. The songs they released prior to the album drop didn't do anything for me, but the album overall is incredible. For me this is the best Mastodon album since Blood Mountain.

It's great until the second half of the album, which I found to be rather average and forgettable. Maybe the 2nd half will grow on me though... the best track of the cd is definitely High Road.

This album is delicious. i'm glad they went back to their proggier style in the second part of the album.

Sounds like Hunter progified. Pretty damn solid so far.

Written by [user id=101272] on 23.06.2014 at 22:48

Sounds like Hunter progified. Pretty damn solid so far.

^^^ QFT

I agree that this album is picking up where the Hunter left off, a lot of common elements and echoes of riffs & drum fills from the last album... My initial reaction was "Well, if the Hunter was half a tab of acid, this is 4 tabs of that exact same acid."


Definitely feel as though i've been seeing a dichotomy in the fan base springing up over the past 2(/3?) albums, those who have an appreciation for the well-crafted prog elements and those who identified more with the prehistoric aggression of the first 3. I've enjoyed listening to the album a couple of times, much of the album's substance is layered on through the heavy production and multiple listens help with that, i have found. Overall i kinda can't help but feel myself gravitating to the second camp.

Favourite tracks so far for me have been Chimes at Midnight (more Spectrelight pls) and Asleep in the Deep, High Road has stuck with me too. Second half of the album still settling with me, it feels.


P.S.
Who signed off on the Aunt Lisa choral? Can anyone feel that going over at a Mastogig :/

Damn!!! This album is great! It's much better than "The Hunter" in my opinion! These guys have proved that they are still able to create awesome music in spite of some people's opinion! I'm really happy with that release!

Written by Introspekrieg on 23.06.2014 at 00:25

Written by Alex F on 17.06.2014 at 17:48

I'm genuinely impressed with this. Not as good as Leviathan, Remission, nor Crack The Skye, but it's a great album. I've given a few listens, and I have to say, by releasing High Road (my least favorite song on the album) first, they severely lowered my expectations. Really nice release, and to me it is a welcomed addition to the fantastic repertoire Mastodon have built up.

I will never understand why they thought it was a good idea to release "High Road" as the teaser/single. That chorus is horrible and not getting any better with repeat listens. Every single other song is better, especially "Motherload", "Chimes at Midnight" and "Ember City." Maybe it was their plan all along to lower expectations so people would be pleasantly surprised?

I haven't listened to any other songs yet, but I personally prefer High Road to Chimes at Midnight. I like the chorus, riff, and solo, love the solo.

The most important thing about this album is that it still sounds like Mastodon. An as for me, this is exactly what is needed!

Written by Alex F on 17.06.2014 at 17:48

by releasing High Road (my least favorite song on the album) first, they severely lowered my expectations.

Indeed. Same thing happened for me with The Hunter, when they released "Curl Of The Burl"

Written by Zap on 25.06.2014 at 23:58

Written by Alex F on 17.06.2014 at 17:48

by releasing High Road (my least favorite song on the album) first, they severely lowered my expectations.

Indeed. Same thing happened for me with The Hunter, when they released "Curl Of The Burl"

Considering those are two songs being released as singles, it's probably not that they are trying to lower people's expectation, but are just releasing their rockiest songs as singles as they have most mainstream appeal, and they are ones buying singles rather than albums.

This album is such an improvement over The Hunter. While The Hunter was a good, catchy album, this album improves on every level. A spectacular release. The guys still got it

Written by Ganondox on 26.06.2014 at 07:21

Considering those are two songs being released as singles, it's probably not that they are trying to lower people's expectation, but are just releasing their rockiest songs as singles as they have most mainstream appeal, and they are ones buying singles rather than albums.

Obviously. It still lowers my expectation if they release a mediocre radio-friendly song first.

I have to say, 2014 becomes better and better. At first, I was a bit sceptic about that year (after the first albums released - with a few exceptions), but albums like this prove, that I was wrong. That one has the potential to be my new favourite record from Mastodon (at the moment, it's Crack The Skye).
Especially Songs 5, 6, 9, 11 are really great.

Very good!
great work... this band rocks!!! and this album is a natural step in the rigth direcction!!!

Might have to listen to this in full, i didnt like the teaser singles much but people are saying they are the worst (or least best) anyway and usually i really like mastodon

UPDATE: listened to it now and i really like it, i even enjoyed high road this time. must be a grower.

I'll leave it to everyone else to wax intellectual about where this sits on the Mastodon style and quality scale. All I know is when this albums stops I just want to go ahead and play it again.

I have a complicated relationship with Mastodon. But this one just blew me away.

Written by Serbantez on 24.06.2014 at 07:44

Written by [user id=101272] on 23.06.2014 at 22:48

Sounds like Hunter progified. Pretty damn solid so far.

^^^ QFT

I agree that this album is picking up where the Hunter left off, a lot of common elements and echoes of riffs & drum fills from the last album... My initial reaction was "Well, if the Hunter was half a tab of acid, this is 4 tabs of that exact same acid."


Definitely feel as though i've been seeing a dichotomy in the fan base springing up over the past 2(/3?) albums, those who have an appreciation for the well-crafted prog elements and those who identified more with the prehistoric aggression of the first 3. I've enjoyed listening to the album a couple of times, much of the album's substance is layered on through the heavy production and multiple listens help with that, i have found. Overall i kinda can't help but feel myself gravitating to the second camp.

Favourite tracks so far for me have been Chimes at Midnight (more Spectrelight pls) and Asleep in the Deep, High Road has stuck with me too. Second half of the album still settling with me, it feels.


P.S.
Who signed off on the Aunt Lisa choral? Can anyone feel that going over at a Mastogig :/

Excellent points... I can't seem to figure out where I fit in because I loved Leviathan and CTS and I think people might want to reconsider the prog elements in Leviathan... complex runs and breakdowns galore as well as power and rage... and no beautiful vox of course so I guess it is easy to dismiss... anyway, you seem to be wise in the ways of metal... you should rate some of your records... I'd be curious to know what your top records are.