Mastodon is:
Brann Dailor - Drums
Brent Hines - Guitar and Vocals
Troy Sanders - Bass and Vocals
Bill Kelliher - Guitars
Mastodon is metal act hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. They simply defy categorization, but if I were to attempt to label them, it would be something along the lines of prog-death/sludge, but that's pretty insufficient. The band draws
inspiration from
lots of different bands, so to truly
understand Mastodon, you must hear Mastodon.
Their latest release, Leviathan, is a
concept album that doesn't suck, which is worthy of praise for this alone. It's based on the story of Moby Dick. The band never sounds confined to the story, as thematic elements of the novel are addressed without summarizing the novel. This release is remarkably ambient, unlike their previous full-length, Remission. Every track is different and the CD may take a few listens to fully
appreciate all that the band has to offer. The musicianship is top-notch; although the guitarist and the bassist (also vocalist) are completely proficient, the drummer steals the show. He's a master on the skins, providing some of the most exciting fills that perfectly fit the song. His
excellence never comes off as 'showy', and at times, some of the more simpler stuff he plays is the most impressive.
In addition to the aforementioned full-length release Remission, Mastodon has an earlier LP, Lifesblood.