Mastodon - Crack The Skye - review
Mastodon - Crack The Skye - review
Tracklist
Disc I [CD]01. Oblivion
02. Divinations
03. Quintessence
04. The Czar
1 - Usurper
2 - Escape
3 - Martyr
4 - Spiral
05. Ghost Of Karelia
06. Crack The Skye
07. The Last Baron
Disc II [Limited Edition DVD]
+ Making Of "Crack The Skye"
+ Track-By-Track Band Commentary
+ Photo Gallery
A review by
BitterCOld April 11, 2009
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.
The album itself centers around the concept story of a paraplegic who engages in astral travel, who, like Icarus, passes too close to the Sun - which severs his connection with his mortal body and leaves him floating around the universe. Russian monks set in Tsarist Russia encounter this soul while using him in a divination, and after hearing of his plight, implant him in Rasputin's body? when Rasputin is slain, he can guide the lost soul back to his body.
The album is not as heavy as its predecessors, a shift which some may attribute to commercial motives. However, when one looks at other metal bands whose names begin with "M" who made a shift in their sound to appeal to the commercial audience, they did so by softening and simplifying the music. While Crack the Skye is not nearly as pummeling as Leviathan, it's certainly not simplified into radio-friendly tunes.
Mastodon somehow manage to play tunes that capture the sort of etherealness that one would expect on an album with an astral travel rooted theme, but simultaneously have a degree of density to them. There is a lot going on, yet somehow it all fits. Their evolutionary path follows the same trajectory as bands like Enslaved and Nachtmystium, which have unleashed their inner 70's prog fan and allowed it to influence their current stylings. Songs are expansive and very atmospheric - the album is not entirely digestible in one listen, each subsequent spin through the cd tray will reveal previously undiscovered pieces to the musical puzzle. It's definitely a grower.
If you have your heart set on something that sounds like Remission, you will be disappointed. If you're willing to accept a softening of the sound for sake of walking down avenues previously unexplored, you might find Crack the Skye right up your alley.
For those still interested, I'd highly recommend purchasing the special version that includes the "Making of?" DVD. It's an entertaining watch, and seeing the thought processes involved in the creation of this record will certainly deepen your appreciation of it.
Favorite Tracks - "Quintessence" (I love the heavy riff/chorus that comes slamming in) and "Crack the Skye" with the guest appearance of Neurosis' Scott Kelly and his unmistakable roar. That said, thanks to the story and flow, this album is one of those that is better listened to from start 'til finish rather than popping up from time to time on your iPod's shuffle function.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 9 |
Written on 11.04.2009 by
Written on 11.04.2009 by
BitterCOld has been officially reviewing albums for MetalStorm since 2009. Comments page 2 / 3
Comments:
66
Visited by
674 users
|
Posts: 241  |
Posts: 241
I haven't listened to these guys too much, but from what I have heard of their previous works I wasn't impressed, it sounded a bit boring to me. That being said, I've heard some parts of this album and thought it sounded interesting, despite the fact that it sounded less "heavy". I'll have to check it out sometime.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 334  |
Posts: 334
This will be hyped whatever the quality. I'll admit this album is being shoved down our throats less than the last one though.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 511  |
Posts: 511
I couldn't disagree more with this review. This album is the biggest disappointment of the year so far. It is just dull and completely fails to hold my attention at all. I've given it about a dozen listens just in case it was a grower, but it's not. I like Mastodon's earlier work, really liked the direction they have been going musically and had really high expectations for this album. It's not that it has a lighter sound; I listen to a lot of non-metal. The album is just boring, wandering in circles. 6.5 at best. It's never a good sign when the album's artwork is the best thing about it.
---- You can't fight evil with a macaroni duck!
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 14  |
Posts: 14 Written by BitterCOld on 11.04.2009 at 09:14 Well there was a fairly moving segment on the dvd detailing that the title "Skye" came about as the name of Brann's deceased sister. The whole title referring to how Brann felt when he was told the news of her death. It "cracked the Sky(e)" for him or something of that nature. Why does this have to based around an element anyway? If anything, the psycedelic nature of the songs or as you put it, "air/spacey approach" suggests that no "element" is represented in any way really. It's about astral travel more than anything.
---- "He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 542  |
Posts: 542 Written by Derwood on 14.04.2009 at 18:12 listen to the czar from the 3:45 min on, you cant tell me that this is boring! This track alone makes crack the skye a great album!! 
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 641  |
Posts: 641
This is just one perfect album, everything just flows so perfect through the whole album.
---- You found god? If nobody claims him in thirty days, he's yours Walk with me in hell
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 38  |
Posts: 38
While i'd definitely give this album a 9 as well, that would be primarily because of the music. I find the "wailing" voice a little boring at times, though it serves it purpose at other moments. Anyone else has this feeling? Anyone saying this is a boring album though, is very wrong. It might not be similar to their previous work or similar to what you used to like, but you can't say the music is dull and boring.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 277  |
Posts: 277
Excellent album! i am very much enjoying it! and the review is good as well!
---- alive in the superunknown
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 72  |
Posts: 72
I have never been able to get into mastadon but after this review i will give them one more chance
---- AND ON THE 7TH DAY THE GULCH BEGAN TO ROT http://www.myspace.com/gulchofrot
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 81 |
|
 Posts: 2574 |
Posts: 2574 Written by Sellathurai on 25.04.2009 at 17:12 Oh my gosh, that must have been an indescribable experience. I wish I could see such a show.
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 825  |
Posts: 825
Whoa this album is horrible and Mastodon are getting even worse
---- My account on other musical pages: http://www.last.fm/user/Pozito/ http://rateyourmusic.com/~Talvi
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 1457  |
Posts: 1457 Written by Talvi on 11.05.2009 at 19:14 Listen to this man.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 707 |
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 75 |
|
|
Posts: 65  |
Posts: 65
I don't know what you people saw in this album...I didn't heard anything new to deserve such rate. But o well, maybe I give it another chance later...when I try to sleep. 
Loading...
|
| zthirteen
Account deleted |
|
 Posts: 8004 |
Posts: 8004
After listening carefully to this album a shitload of times, I can say I agree with the review. Crack The Skye may be softer than the rest, but it's also really intricate, multi-layered and extremely well-written. I think it's my favourite after Remission, I also think it's much better than Leviathan and Blood Mountain (though I love these two albums too). Mastodon still fails to disappoint me 
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 3  |
Posts: 3
Indeed, great album. Epic, progressive and coherent. Beside the music itself, I fell in love with artworks... I'd love to buy limited edition but in Poland it's quite expensive :/.
---- Lemme Try Your Bass.
Loading...
|
| NoahPGB
Account deleted |
|
 Posts: 2955 |
Posts: 2955 Quote: Smooth  LOL
----  ---- member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 297  |
Loading...
|
 Posts: 5289 |
Posts: 5289
Recently got into this band. This CD is amazing. Fast yet structured and they all can play! Best song on the album is "The Last Baron"
---- rekt
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 251  |
Posts: 251
I'm all for metal bands doing the odd softer experiment, and I enjoyed this one. Excellent album to sleep to.
---- VICTORY!!!!! (They love it in France)
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 8  |
Posts: 8
At first i never really gave this album a chance at all. not until about a month later something really clicked. and now i must say its an interesting and great listen
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 49  |
Posts: 49
Good album, but a bit overrated imo. The vocals are the weak link to me.
---- 'We entered Winter once again...The sun sets forever over Blackwater park'
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 726  |
Posts: 726 Written by distorted rage on 13.09.2009 at 13:36 ^^^
Loading...
|
| Posts: 15360 |
Posts: 15360
I was right in that it was about AIR.. ether was just another way of referring to it. An interview with Brent Hinds... around the 2:30 mark he mentions air.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 511 |
Posts: 511
I listened to this again today for the first time in a couple months. It still gets my vote for biggest letdown of the year.
---- You can't fight evil with a macaroni duck!
Loading...
|
 Posts: 40071 |
Posts: 40071 Written by Derwood on 28.10.2009 at 04:05 Finally I am not alone on that then. I find it okay but was expecting so much more of them.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
Loading...
|
Hits total: 16822 | This month: 24