Peter Luscombe - 11/30/2009

There is so much going on here it's impossible to start with just one track. I have to start with the outstanding musicianship: the combination of Brent Hinds raucous wails and Troy Sanders effective utilisation of clean and harsh vocals works perfectly - no complaints here. Guitarists Kellihers and Hinds constantly produce truly awesome riffs and once these two start shredding away at their strings; with their sweet harmonies interweaving, it creates a fantastic metal wall which is always apparent. Sanders' bass slots nicely into the mix; adding another layer underneath the distorted guitars. However I have to commend Brann Dailor's drumming - sensational work once again. After ringing his drums round the neck in Blood Mountain, he shows his diversity with a much slower style; really grasping the feel with high complexity. There is still some out-and-out metal on this album, such as Divinations with its swirling guitars and high-velocity drums. However with definite Floydian influences such as organ synths and mellotrons, and lyrics concerning astral travels, wormholes and Tsars, Mastodon have taken a progressive approach - and the epic final track 'The Last Baron' with length 13 minutes, is the outstanding achievement of Mastodon's progression. Long may it continue, but they'll struggle to top this album of mammoth proportions.