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The first thing that you are likely to notice when you listen to this album is the drumming. To be perfectly blunt, I believe that this album has the greatest metal drumming performance that I've ever heard. Forget Christy and Hoglan and Portnoy and Mournier and Longstreh, Brann Dailor crushes them all.(And don't tell me that so and so is more technical; I don't care. I'm speaking from a purely subjective, artistic standpoint) He's an utterly maniacal metal-fusion drummer who unleashes some truly spectacular and wildly shifting rhythms along with the most frenetic and powerful fills around. And it goes without saying that he can still groove with the best of them. He plays with such unbelievable intensity and energy that even after dozens of listens he's still truly exhilirating to listen to every time. Some might say he's too busy and overbearing, but he's just to damn fun to listen to, and most of the energy in the album comes from his performance. The rest of the band are no slouches, to be sure. The guitars are extremely distorted, hissing and rasping wildly while they throw out some nicely varied riffs, ranging from crushing stoner or doom groove-riffs to bizarre, lightning-quick licks. They manage to be crushingly heavy one second and surprisingly melodic and lucid the next. They also are clearly technical without being overly flashy, and thus never sacrifice groove or memorability for self-indulgent excesses. The vox are first rate as well. They are a somewhat monotonous and distorted roar (for the most part) which frequently provides a sort of base for the instrumental madness around them. They even manage to write some rather catchy vocal lines every now and then, rather surprising considering the anti-melodic nature of their basic style.

There are no throwaway tracks here, so I'll just cover a few highlights. Crusher Destroyer(the songs have great names, by the way) is a massive opener. Dailor drums with unbelievable ferocity while the others throw out some unusual and highly abrasive riffs, which leads nicely to the more melodic section in the middle. Great Song. Workhorse is the absolute best track here. A nice little intro cuts to an utterly fierce and stomping groove with an instantly memorable vocal line. The breakdown in the middle is fabulous as well. Trainwreck is calmer, more epic. It's got some distinctive, softer and raspier vocals and some eerie melodic guitar which alternate with the most powerful groove riffs on the album. The faster, more intense section later in the song brings it all together nicely. Probably the second best song. Elephant Man is a very solid, generally fairly mellow instrumental. Lots of melody and some beautiful leads combine with a good amount of atmosphere and an understated but very real undercurrent of intensity which threatens to explode all throughout the track. The bonus track Emerald is very cool as well. A nice Thin Lizzy cover which both provides a good contrast to the rest of the album, yet still fits in very well.

But enough specifics. Mastodon are one of the best new metal bands out there, and the best metalcore band around. Get it.


5 stars for Remission, 2 stars for the concert DVD   December 9, 2003
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

I decided I had to buy Remission based on the opinions of two of my favorite reviewers (Wheelchair Assassin and WPA). The bad news was that I was unable to find the original version of Remission anywhere. The good news was that I found the 2003 Limited Edition reissue. It took me about three days to recover from the shock that came from listening to a CD that was so heavy, so intense, and so good.

Relapse records has quite a roster of unique bands. And let me tell you, Mastodon is no exception. They have achieved something on their first album that few bands do in their entire careers; they have established their own sound. Nowadays, it seems that a lot of groups are trying to be the next Dillinger Escape Plan or Meshuggah. And while Mastodon possess a mastery of their instruments that put them in league with both aforementioned bands, they bring in an element that seems to contradict everything math-metal is about. That element is sludgy stoner rock riffing. Of course it helps when two of your members (guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor) were in the technical metal outfit Lethargy. But it really isn't their technical skill that impresses me about Mastodon, it's the feeling they put into every riff and drumbeat. They MEAN every note they play whether it be the unbelievably beautiful intro of "Ol'e Nessie" or the bonecrushing beginning of "March of the Fire Ants".

The DVD, which was filmed in Mastodon's hometown of Atlanta, really isn't much to write home about. The sound quality is atrocious. Bassist Troy Sanders' vocals are entirely too loud (he's actually louder than the instruments). and guitarist Bill Kelliher's vocals aren't loud enough. But I give it two stars for two reasons:

1. It was free. That appeals to cheapskates such as myself.
2. It proves that Mastodon are capable of backing up live what they do on the album.

Also included on the LE CD,but not on the original version, is an outstanding cover of Thin Lizzy's "Emerald". The vocals actually sound a bit like Phil Lynott. It's far better than that crummy "Whiskey in the Jar" from a certain little-known band from San Francisco.

Overall rating (for both CD and DVD combined): 4.25 stars


what the?   March 10, 2006
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

why do so many metal heads think that they are post-modern deconstructionalists when it comes to discussing music? anywho, saw these guys open for clutch...werent expecting much to happen...this is the only 'opening' band that i've followed up on...they rock...old school sensibility packaged in a tight, snappy package....these guys know their craft, esp. percussion...the drummer might make you wet your pants if you listen long enough...'mother punhcer' is the wife's favorite song from the album.


here strides the behemoth   July 5, 2006
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Mastodon's "Remission" is bound to become a classic in not only the stoner and math breeds, but the genre of metal as a whole. Building upon a simple formula (musical brutality contrasted with occasional outbursts of nuanced serenity), Mastodon have erected a marvel of modern metal, complete with song titles and musicality that lend credence to the group's namesake. Layer upon titanic layer of hard-hitting heaviness comprise the majority of this CD, taking no prisoners and damn proud of it. The guitars often give way to a relentless, pummeling percussion section, blending the two massive elements to create one lumbering, vitality-injected monstrosity. The beast is tamed from time to time, as on the rather melodic and mellow introductions to "Trainwreck" and especially "Ol'e Nessie," or the unannounced arrival of an all-out groove right in the middle of "March of the Fire Ants." And "Elephant Man" features some moodier, slower-paced riffing, and is entirely instrumental, letting all the elements flow together smoothly. The rest of the beast is basically given to primal rhythms and melodies. Highlights of this aspect include the aptly named "Crusher Destroyer," "March of the Fire Ants," "Where Strides the Behemoth," and the Zeppelin-esque titled "Trampled Under Hoof." "Trilobite" is a nice hybrid of the two breeds of poetry on display on this incredible disc. The end result is a powerful creature, albeit one that is sometimes too overbearing and dense in its aural assault. A prime example of this is the drumming, which, while nearly unmatched in technicality, tends to rely too heavily on fills and thus often times overpower many of the guitar and bass riffs, which are bone-crushingly extreme and dissonantly beautiful in turn (and often at the same time). A minor complaint, as is the grievance about the lack of clean vocals. In this vast sea of intensity, they are scarcely needed. Overall, a great development of Mastodon's sound, which would only be improved upon with their towering follow-up, "Leviathan".


Remission Reissue   October 26, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I picked up the original copy a while ago, and let me start by saying that this is the freshest sounding music I have heard in a long time. This CD is definitely worth your money, and I think it is worth your extra cash (I only payed 12 bucks for this version at the Relapse Records store in Philly; some people won't be so lucky) to upgrade if you already own the original.
You would basically be upgrading to a DVD and a bonus track. The bonus track is a cover of Thin Lizzy's Emerald, and this song just plain rocks. One of the greatest covers I have ever heard. I would gladly hand over 12 bucks just for this track.
Now don't get too excited about the DVD. The quality is not that good, and I hope Mastodon's sound guy was put to death after this show. Troy's vocals are so much louder than the whole band, and when Brent starts singing Workhorse, you cannot hear the vocals at all. Despite the technical problems, it is amazing to see them live, and the DVD is really cool.