Mastodon – The Hunter

Mastodon – The Hunter (2011)

Produced by Mike Elizondo

Troy Sanders – Lead vocals, Bass

Brent Hinds – Lead vocals, Buitars

Brann Dailor – Lead vocals, Drums, Percussion

Bill Kelliher – Guitars, Backing Vocals

Track listing:

01. Black Tongue (3:27)

02. Curl of the Burl (3:40)

03. Blasteroid (2:35)

04. Stargasm (4:39)

05. Octopus Has No Friends (3:48)

06. All the Heavy Lifting (4:31)

07. The Hunter (5:17)

08. Dry Bone Valley (3:59)

09. Thickening (4:30)

10. Creature Lives (4:41)

11. Spectrelight (3:09)

12. Bedazzled Fingernails (3:08)

13. The Sparrow (5:30)

Released in 2011 “The Hunter” is the fifth album by American band Mastodon.  The band formed in Atlanta, Georgia when they meet at a High On Fire show.  A Demo and a 7 inch single were released before they signed with Relapse Records and released the “Lifesblood” ep in 2001.  Their debut album “Remission” was released in 2002 but it was the follow up 2004’s “Leviathan” (A concept album based on “Moby Dick”) than gained the band attention the music press with NPR choosing "Blood and Thunder" as one of the most import recordings of the decade.  The band left Relapse for Reprise Records and released “Blood Mountain” in 2006 another concept album but this time with a more elaborate and bizarre a story.  The album made may end of year list as did 2009’s “Crack The Skye” in which the band moved into a more Progressive direction. 

“The Hunter” begins with “Black Tongue” which is groovy Metal tune.  This is the kind of thing that Mastodon does so well.  The riffs are intricate and fast.  The melody on the verses is really strong but the chorus is a little week.  The song is a great start to the album.

Next is “Curl Of The Burl” a sludgy stoner metal tune.  This song is very reminiscent of Queens Of The Stone Age.  The verse melody is cool but I’m not a big fan of Brent’s vocals on this track.  Musically this is quite a departure for the band and even though it is quite a radio friendly it a good tune.  

“Blasteroid” is an upbeat metal tune in the vein of At The Drive-In & Deftones.  The track really moves along and has a really bright sound to it.  It is quite Progressive but with a new world Metal sensibility.  I think this one will be great live.       

After an 80’s picking Guitar Intro “Stargasm” moves into a dense groove.  The song moves along at a really good pace.  The guitars are great with some strong picking sections which add to the spacey feel of the song.  The chorus is really strong and has some really cool hooks.

“Octopus Has No Friends” is a fast paced rolling track with intricate playing.  The drums chop up beat here which adds to the groove.  This song really gets your head moving which is impressive for a track for such a technical track. 

The fast paced “All the Heavy Lifting” is next.  This tune is an old skool Mastodon tune with some fast playing and intricate lines.  Cool tune but the chorus is a little weak. 

The slow grinding “The Hunter” follows on.  This tune is reminiscent of Alice In Chains slower grinder moment and features some great vocals from Brent and Troy.  The song is sinister and slowly builds with a strong vocal melody.

“Dry Bone Valley” is next.  This tune is more of a Hard Rock tune than a Metal tune.  That being said it have a really good tempo and moves along at a good pace.  This song like “The Hunter” reminds me of Alice In Chains.

Following on is “Thickening” which again goes down the Hard Rock road.  Unfortunately this time it isn’t as successful.  Stylistically like QOTSA the song has some good playing but the song is quite forgettable.

My album highlight “Creature Lives” is an unusual tune.  It begins with some strange synths and laughing before a really nice bass riff begins.  This song is quite progressive and grandiose with a large crowd vocal on the chorus.  The song has a big sound with layering and is quite progressive.  Cool tune.

“Spectrelight” is classic Mastodon.  The groove is heavy and Troys vocals in the verses are strong.  The chorus is weak but the middle 8 is awesome.

The oddly titled “Bedazzled Fingernails” is an off kilter tune with time changes and grinding riffs.  The changes in tempo add to the heaviness of the track.  The chorus is cool and the verses have a really interesting vocal effect which is almost robotic.  Cool tune.

The album ends with “The Sparrow”.  This track is a slower track with some really nice guitar picking.  The band adds layers of guitars and keyboards to make a bed for a dreamy vocal.  The sound huge and spacious and is almost psychedelic. The song lets loose during the solo which adds a nice counter point.

This is a very different record for Mastodon and on first listen is a little disappointing.  There are allot of layers and textures to this record which can take time to appreciate.  But the more you give it the better it gets and this record is a real grower.

7/10