Mastodon (band)

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Mastodon

Origin Atlanta, Georgia
Country USA
Years active 2000 - present
Genres Heavy metal
Sludge metal
Technical post-thrash[1]
Labels Warner Music
Reprise Records
Relapse Records
Members Brann Dailor
Brent Hinds
Bill Kelliher
Troy Sanders

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 sub-genre they belong to. They have a similar sound to technical sludge metal bands like Neurosis and the Melvins, who they are also influenced by. There is also 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, odd time signatures, and long, melodic instrumental interludes.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Mastodon was 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 in the soundtracks for race games Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Project Gotham Racing 3. It was also in Saint's Row for the Xbox 360. 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.

After the release of Leviathan, the band took part in the 2004 The Unholy Alliance tour in Europe with Slayer, Slipknot and Hatebreed.

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 on the album but only in some leaked versions, there is a spoken-word piece from Joshua M. Homme, the vocalist from Queens of the Stone Age, claiming that he uploaded their new album on the internet. Homme also contributed vocals to the album.

In June-July 2006, before the release of Blood Mountain, Mastodon toured as part of the North American The Unholy Alliance tour with Slayer, Children of Bodom, Lamb of God and Thine Eyes Bleed (they were replaced by In Flames on the European leg of the tour). Mastodon and most of the European leg would reunite to perform at Japan's Loud Park Festival on October. At the end of 2006 they will support Tool in Europe. In 2006 they performed the song Colony of Birchmen on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien television program. Mastodon will also be contributing the opening song to the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie coming out February 2007.

Recently, Mastodon's Colony Of Birchmen has been nominated for Best Metal Performance in the 49th Annual Grammy Awards along with others like Lamb of God and Slayer.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Line-up

[edit] Former members

  • Eric Saner - Lead vocals (a few months during 2000)

[edit] External links

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