Mastodon - The Hunter (Album Review)
|
|
|
|
Thursday, 01 September 2011 |
Written by Heather McDaid
|
|
The last chance us UK residents had a chance to bask in Mastodon’s might was during their display of metal annihilation at Sonisphere Festival in the midst of July. They may not be here in the flesh to satisfy our current metal cravings personally, but with the follow-up to 2009’s ‘Crack In The Skye’ ready to be unleashed into the world to cause some carnage, we dare say ‘The Hunter’ will be our salvation in terms of our search for some new, quality metal to stick our teeth into.
Kicking off proceedings with ‘Black Tongue’, a sleek lick lures the listener to the gritty vocals of the verse. Not going in all guns blazing, not going in weakly in hope to build it up; the band have set the bar high with a strong opening track that offers simplistic and clean guitars alongside punchier riffs.
‘Curl Of The Burl’ takes things up a notch with a heavier riff and more technically pleasing guitar from the off. The vocals are relatively simplistic, but being surrounded by the harsher instrumental elements allows the track to avoid being overbearing or a full on assault. ‘Blasteroid’ follows with a more mainstream vibe. Teaming more upbeat and catchy guitars with a bouncier track, harsh screams resound throughout to reign it back in.
Earning the title of the most obscurely titled track of the record, ‘The Octopus Has No Friends’ steps up in terms of technical accuracy. High-speed guitar sweeps teamed with slower vocals accentuate the ability Mastodon possess in creating the perfect balance – a compliment that repeats itself numerous times throughout.
 The album’s title track ‘The Hunter’ takes an eerier approach; a suit of horror as it welcomes you to a five minute interval from the previously aggressive onslaught. The real testament of this track is the level of interest doesn’t dwindle in over five minutes of being subdued. Returning to previous force, tracks like ‘The Creature Lives’ offer a twisted sci-fi-esque intro to songs, whereas the record’s closing number ‘The Sparrow’ returns to a quieter, sleek guitar introduction and flourishes throughout an otherwise calm and graceful farewell.
It’s hard not to look at this album technically as well as in terms of the overall product. In an age where music is released so regularly, it’s all too easy to find bands trying too hard to the point of being overbearing. The production on this is superb and the balance the band have managed to achieve is one of the selling points of the album; more upbeat tracks teamed with harsher vocals, instrumentally technical songs teamed with simpler vocals.
Is this Mastodon’s best work? It’s each to their own on that one, but this is an album that has impressed at least one very dubious metal fan, tired of hearing people imitate others or just flat out try too hard to impress. Mastodon nailed the key balance of flaunting their talents and controlling the music whilst progressing in some form and – quite frankly – this album definitely satisfies that search for new, quality metal.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
Let Us Know Your Thoughts
|
More Reviews from Heather McDaid
Related News
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Former Mastodon Guitarist Brent Hinds Dies Aged 51
Mon 10 Mar 2025
Mastodon Part Ways With Guitarist Brent Hinds After 25 Years
