Mastodon

Members: Brann Dailor, Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher, Troy Sanders

Active: 2000-present

HISTORY

Mastodon is a heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. They are usually classified as a heavy metal group, but there have been debates on what specific subgenre they belong to. The Encyclopaedia Metallum classifies them as progressive sludge metal, but this is not widely accepted. There have been comparisons between the group and the metalcore genre, and there is a clear hardcore influence on the band, unsurprisingly as several of its members previously played in hardcore bands. Mastodon's style includes heavy (and sometimes quite complex and technical) guitar riffs, complex, jazz-influenced drumming by drummer Brann Dailor, odd time signatures, and long, melodic instrumental interludes inspired by the band's love of prog rock.

Mastodon formed in 1999 when Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher, former members of both Lethargy and Today is the Day, moved to Atlanta and met Troy Sanders, formerly of Four Hour Fogger and Social Infestation, and Brent Hinds, formerly of Four Hour Fogger and Fiend Without A Face, at a High on Fire show that has been rumored to have taken place in Hinds' basement (which was later proven to be false). They recorded a demo in 2000 which is generally referred to as the "9 Song Demo." This CD-R was sold at shows, and the recordings actually had the bands first lead singer, Eric Saner on vocals. In early 2006, this recording was remastered and put out by Relapse Records, who gave it the more proper title "Call of the Mastodon". Eric Saner left the band for personal reasons after being in it just a couple of months, and after recording one more demo and recording a 7" picture disc on Reptilian Records, Mastodon landed a record deal with Relapse Records in 2001.

Mastodon's first official release was 2001's Lifesblood; it was well received, but the band has since moved away from this release stylistically. Their first full-length album was 2002's Remission. Mastodon arguably struck gold with this album; in 2003, the group premiered the video for "March of the Fire Ants" on MTV2 and was invited to be a part of the Headbanger's Ball two-CD compilation.

Their album Leviathan was released in 2004 to critical acclaim; the band won Album of the Year awards from three magazines: Revolver, Kerrang!, and Terrorizer. Leviathan is a concept album loosely based on Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick.

One of the tracks from Leviathan, Blood and Thunder, was featured on a couple of racing game soundtracks. In 2005, it was included in the Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Project Gotham Racing 3 soundtracks. The track features Neil Fallon, of Clutch fame, on lead vocals during the last verse of the song. He is not featured in the music video. Mastodon opened for Clutch during several tours in the band's early career.

On November 3, 2005, two forthcoming releases were announced: The Call of the Mastodon, a CD collection of early demos, which was released on February 7, 2006, and The Workhorse Chronicles, a DVD of interviews and concert footage, including material from the band's early days as a five-piece, which was released on February 21, 2006. These are the last expected releases through their deal with Relapse.

Mastodon have now signed to Warner Music. Their third studio album, titled Blood Mountain, was released on September 12, 2006. Blood Mountain was originally planned as one large piece of music; however, the album since became a collection of individual songs rather than a symphonic work.

Blood Mountain leaked online, albeit in a low recording quality, on August 6th, 2006. On a hidden track included in some of the P2P downloaded versions, there is a spoken-word piece from a person claiming to be Joshua M. Homme, the vocalist from Queens of the Stone Age, claiming that he uploaded their new album on the internet. Homme is definitely the one talking on the hidden track, he does appear on the record after all, and his voice and manner of speaking are easily identifiable to fans. However, it is unlikely that this is more than a typical stoner joke not unlike those that appear all over Homme's discography, a joke which the guys of Mastodon were up for.

Quickly after the release of "Blood Mountain" Mastodon toured as part of the Unholy Alliance tour with Slayer and on their own. At the end of 2006 they will support Tool in Europe.

ALBUMS, SINGLES AND EP'S

2000 - Mastodon Demo

2001 - Slick Leg (EP)

2001 - Lifesblood (EP)

2002 - March of the Fire Ants (EP)

2002 - Remission

2003 - Emerald

2004 - Blood and Thunder (Single)

2004 - Leviathan

2006 - Call of the Mastodon

2006 - Crystal Skull

2006 - Blood Mountain