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91. Once More 'Round the Sun - Mastodon (2014)

Heavy Metal

There’s a grandiosity to much of Mastodon’s work. Their albums play like the soundtrack to a metal-themed fantasy world, engendering a sprawling galactic quality that you get lost in. The ties that connect them with some of the forefathers of the genre are always evident. In much of their discography, hints of Iron Maiden may be the strongest, though they smartly avoid the cheesiness that kept me from ever taking Maiden seriously.

The best musical artists in any genre have an unmistakable quality. You can identify a Metallica song in about two seconds after hearing a single note or drum beat. Mastodon is similar in their distinctness. They brandish an undeniable Southern vocal style (you can almost hear Ronnie Van Zant on the title track if you really try). Three of the four band members contribute to the vocals, so there’s a dynamism in the range and style that makes them feel larger than life.

Blood Mountain (2006) found Mastodon hitting their stride and Crack the Skye (2008) showcased their conceptual chops. I’m sure the band would be the first to admit its not their best album, but make no mistake, Once More ‘Round the Sun bangs - hard. It’s the band not taking themselves quite as seriously, and they seem to revel in the freedom (especially on the music video for “The Motherload”). The lucidness of the guitar work is mesmerizing, slipping between the murkiness of sludge, the fluidity of groove and the technicality of math practically unnoticed. Metal has a tendency to skew towards the epic, both in sound and story, but here Mastodon prove that it’s sometimes best to let the energy speak for itself.

*image; cover art for the album Once More ‘Round the Sun by the artist Mastodon