Mastodon

Great Music Videos: Mastodon- Oblivion

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2019 is the ten year anniversary of Mastodon’s epic masterpiece, Crack The Skye. That album is perfect in every way possible. In my humble opinion, it’s one of the best, if not the best album of the 21st century. I could seriously go on and on about how great that album is. One of the other coolest parts of the album was the video for the opening song “Oblivion.” The video was directed by Robert Schober (aka Roboshobo), who’s worked with other bands like Alice In Chains, Metallica and Deftones. According to drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor, the video was influenced by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. The video itself is just as epic as the song, which makes it all that much cooler. Check it out and do yourself a favor, listen to Crack The Skye, especially if it’s been a minute since you have or if you’ve never heard it before.

Mastodon- Oblivion:

 

 
Mastodon- Crack The Skye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WGNd8QR-U&list=OLAK5uy_mO7esBOtByOa6ri2uOIZurWwnqqdyoEzU

Soundtrack Only Songs: Mastodon- White Walker from Game of Thrones

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A couple years back the folks who make Game of Thrones released a “soundtrack” album of songs written about the show. One of the most stand out songs from that release was Mastodon’s contribution to it. The song “White Walker” is one of the bands most experimental yet wonderfully crafted songs. It’s also worth noting that a few of the members of Mastodon have appeared on the show and yes, they were killed, hahaha. Anyways here’s Mastodon’s awesome song!

 
Mastodon- White Walker:

 

B-Sides: Mastodon

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Since the turn of the century, there is a band that I truly feel is the band of the 2000’s. That band is Mastodon. From the moment their album Remission was released all the way till their newest, Emperor Of Sand, Mastodon, has been the most consistent and best band of this new era. On each album they’ve been able to push themselves creatively and have made timeless and classic albums. Mastodon, doesn’t have many b-sides, though I’m sure their vault is full of great songs they didn’t use. Here are a few tracks that didn’t make their albums.

 

Deathbound (from The Hunter):

 

 
The Ruiner (from The Hunter):

 

 

White Walker (from Game Of Thrones Soundtrack:

 

 

 

Cold Dark Place EP (North Side Star, Blue Walsh, Cold Dark Place were recorded for Once More Round The Sun. Toe To Toes was recorded during Emperor Of Sand):

 

New Release: Chino Moreno (Deftones)- Brief Exchange

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There is a soundtrack/compilation being put out by DC Comics for their upcoming Dark Nights series. Composer Tyler Bates, who you might know from doing the music for Guardians of the Galaxy, Californication as well as working with Marilyn Manson on his The Pale Emperor album, is at the helm for this project. Chino has contributed to this soundtrack with one hell of a song called Brief Exchange. It’s badass. I seriously hope that Chino takes some of this style with him to the writing sessions for the new Deftones album.

It’s worth noting too that Brann Dailor, the drummer and one of the vocalists from Mastodon has also contributed to this soundtrack as well. His song is pretty badass too.

 

Chino Moreno- Brief Exchange:

 

Brann Dailor (of Mastodon)- Red Death:

End Of Album Songs: Mastodon

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Since the turn of the century, Mastodon have blazed their own trail and cemented themselves in rock music as one of the greats. Every album of theirs gets better and better. That’s pretty hard to do these days but, the gents in Mastodon have found the way to not just do that but also to make albums cool again. All their albums, even the somewhat disappointing The Hunter, have something special about them. Not to mention that all their albums have amazing closing songs. Check them out below and then I recommend listening to all their albums!

 

Elephant Man (from Remission):

 

Joseph Merrick (from Leviathan):

 

Pendulous Skin (from Blood Mountain):

 

The Last Baron (from Crack The Skye):

 

The Sparrow (from The Hunter):

 

Diamond In The Witch House feat- Scott Kelly of Neurosis (from Once More Round The Sun):

 

Jaguar God (from Emperor Of Sand):

 

Audioeclectica Radio Episode 1

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I’ve been working on revamping the Audioeclectica Podcast for a while now. I didn’t want to make the same type of podcast/show that I’ve been hearing so, I went another route. Don’t think of this as a podcast but rather a radio show. Instead of me talking all the time, I’m going to play you all some great music and tell you interesting tidbits about the band, album, song, etc.

This is will also be completely interactive. I will be taking requests about what bands/songs you want to hear as well as topics you’d like for me to discuss and give my take on. I will be having guest on and they will be picking some of their favorite songs to play.

This is all an experiment but totally fun for me. I hope you all enjoy the show and find some great bands, songs, and cool info from listening.

Without further delay… Here is episode 1.

 

Audioeclectica Radio- Episode 1:

 

Ultimate Set List & Tour: Mastodon with Neurosis & O’Brother

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I had an idea recently to expand upon the Ultimate Set List category. I thought that if I were to put together a “dream tour” scenario into the aether, that maybe, just maybe, it might come true. The first one I came up with involves Mastodon, Neurosis and the very awesome, O’Brother. All three of these bands have released fantastic new albums. Mastodon’s Emperor Of Sand is well on it’s way to my album of the year for 2017. O’Brother put out Endless Light, one of the top 5 albums of 2016 and, Neurosis, well they continue to put out quality albums with their newest, 2016’s Fires Within Fires.

With all that in mind, here are the guidelines for this now expanded category.

1: Where would you want to see the show

2: What is the order/set lengths of the bands

3: What line up of the band would it be (If necessary)

4: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)

 

Venue:

The Fonda Theatre- Hollywood CA

Order/Set Length:

1) O’Brother- 45 mins, 2) Neurosis- 75mins, 3) Mastodon- 100mins

Set Lists:

O’Brother:

1) Slow Sin
2) Your Move
3) Absence
4) Bloodlines
5) Endless Light
6) Complicated End Times
7) Ascension
8) Burn
9) I Am (Become Death)

Neurosis:

1) Through Silver and Blood
2) Bending Light
3) We All Rage In Gold
4) Under The Surface
5) Left To Wander
6) Belief
7) Stones From The Sky

Mastodon:

1) Sultan’s Curse
2) Crystal Skull
3) Iron Tusk
4) Steambreather
5) Oblivion
6) Chimes At Midnight
7) Ancient Kingdom
8) Colony Of Birchmen
9) Dry Bone Valley
10) Andromeda
11) Ember City
12) The Czar: Usurper/Escape/Martyr/Spiral
13) Roots Remain
14) Sleeping Giant
15) Asleep In The Deep
16) Crack The Skye (with Scott Kelly)
17) Jaguar God

Encore:

18) Blood And Thunder
19) Crusher Destroyer
20) Mother Puncher
21) March Of The Fire Ants

Cover Song: Mastodon (The Melvins)- The Bit

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I’m pretty sure that Mastodon has released the album of the year. Emperor of Sand is spectacular. Needless to say, I’m totally in a Mastodon frame of mind. I was thinking of posting a cover that Mastodon did but, I realized that I had already posted it a while back. So, I found another one they did. This is their take on The Melvins song “The Bit,” which comes from their album Stag.

Enjoy!

 

Mastodon- The Bit:

 

The Melvins- The Bit:

Video Rank: Mastodon

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So Mastodon has released a new album called Emperor Of Sand, and that is quite possibly the album of the year. Needless to say I’ve been in quite the Mastodon mood. Plus it’s been awhile since I’ve done a video rank, so why not do it for Mastodon.

 

10) March Of The Fire Ants (From- Remission):

 

 

09) High Road (From- Once More Round The Sun):

 

08) Colony Of Birchmen (From- Blood Mountain):

 

07) The Motherload (From- Once More Round The Sun):

 

06) Asleep In The Deep (From- Once More Round The Sun):

 

05) Blood And Thunder (From- Leviathan):

 

04) Show Yourself (From- Emperor Of Sand):

 

03) Sleeping Giant (From- Blood Mountain):

 

02) Divinations (From- Crack The Skye):

https://youtu.be/uxelXPg961M

 

01) Oblivion (From- Crack The Skye):

https://youtu.be/s6WGNd8QR-U

Album Review: Mastodon- Emperor Of Sand

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Mastodon are one of the best bands to come out in the last 15 years. They have always been a band that stuck to their guns and let the music speak for itself. They have managed to evolve as a band as organically as possible. When you have four members that all fit together to create something so deep and poignant, it leaves a lasting mark. On their new album Emperor Of Sand, Mastodon gets back to what they do best, making albums. Drawing from their personal struggles and family tragedies of cancer, Emperor Of Sand tells the tale of a desert wanderer who has been handed a death sentence. This album is one of their deepest lyrically since Crack The Skye. So much so that, when you are listening to the album the story and words take you on a journey that is separate from the music. There is something truly remarkable about this album with its ability to give you two different ways to listen. One being just the music and the other with the lyrics and story.

Working with Brendan O’Brien again, who was in the producers chair for Crack The Skye, gets the band back on track. Songs like opener “Sultan’s Curse,” “Precious Stones,” “Roots Remain,” “Ancient Kingdom,” “Andromeda,” Scorpion Breath (featuring Scott Kelly of Neurosis on guest vocals) and closer “Jaguar God,” all have the Mastodon DNA ingrained in them. Other songs like “Steambreather,” Word To The Wise,” and Clandestiny,” see the band stepping out of their comfort zone a bit more and experimenting with different melodies and tones. The one odd ball song on the album “Show Yourself” is the biggest departure Mastodon has ever done. The lyrics and theme of the song really fit with the album, but musically it’s a sharp left turn.

All in all, Mastodon, has really dug deep and returned with a fantastic album. They are masters at what they do and it shows. They are truly making complete albums, something that a lot of bands seem to be forgetting about. After listening through the album a few times, I’ve determined that it’s sonically similar to Crack The Skye with a bit of Once More Round The Sun, and a dash of Blood Mountain. Mastodon are one of the few bands since the turn of the century to really leave a lasting mark. Had they come out in the 90’s, I think they would have been one of the biggest bands of the era. Not only that but, I think they would have a Tool-esque following.

Overall Rating: A

 

Mastodon- Emperor Of Sand: