### Mastodon: The hunter

#### 25/11/11 || InquisitorGeneralis

To some, Mastodon’s newest album is like the second coming of Christ and the return of the McRib all rolled into one. Like it or not, “Crack the Skye” brought them considerable mainstream success and notoriety with its progressive (suicidal) tendencies and less abrasive sound. Compared the the band’s earlier material it was relatively easy listening, but not less enjoyable. It took me awhile to come around to it, but I can’t deny my liking for Mastodon’s leap of czarist faith. Still, Leviathan is top cetacean for me, even after listening to “The Hunter”. But don’t let that fool you, “The Hunter” is pretty tits in its own right, and this review isn’t about how good Mastodon’s other albums are, it’s about how good “The Hunter” is. Let me tell you why…

All you need to do is look at the song lengths to realize that Mastodon have trimmed things down from “Crack the Anus” and are going back to leaner, more direct songwriting and a heavier touch. The title song and “Stargasm” though will satisfy your craving for more melodic, lighter material in the vein of “Oblivion” and “The Czar”. Clearly, some of the soft elements from “Crack the Skye” are here to stay. “Black tongue” starts the album off on a more rockin’ note and has a galloping beat that evokes “I am Ahab” or “March of the fire ants”. The beginning of ““Black Tongue” also reminds of “Punishment for Decadence”-era Coroner. Adding Coroner elements is a sure-fire way to get into my pants _or_me into your pants. Luckily for Mastodon, “Leviathan” was all the foreplay I needed seven years ago. My EARgina is moist and ready for whatever Mastodon is ready to shove in there.

I know I am referencing a lot of the band’s prior material, but it seems like “The Hunter” is more of an amalgamation of Mastodon’s previous records than move into any uncharted territory. I’m fine with that because on songs like “Curl of the burl” and “Dry bone alley” all of those elements come together nicely to create interesting, heavy, but still accessible tunes. Musically, Mastodon continue to dominate. Brent Hinds and Bell Kelliher’s guitar work is still top notch. The trademark dual-leads and harmonies are as sweet as ever. Few bands can put the perfect riff in the perfect place, both expected and unexpected, like Mastodon can.

Brann Drailor provides the expected fast fills and tempo changes, but nothing he does here is too mindblowing… and I am ok with that. It is impressive that someone with soo much talent and skill can hold things back a bit in order to focus on the other aspects of the band. The clean vocals still aren’t perfect, but I must admit they are getting better. Maybe boys are taking vocal lessons. Or the studio is learning how to handle discordant voices better. Either way the vocals, and the production in general, sound pretty good. Drailor even does vocals all by his lonesome on “Creature lives”. Hooray for multitasking. And metal.

“The Hunter” is a damn fine record, and it is cool to see Mastodon making an effort to return to some heavier territory. Don’t expect “Remission: Part Deux”, though. “The Hunter” does not reach the same level of excellence as “Leviathan” or “Crack the Skye”, but it’s a fucking winner nonetheless. On those records, Mastodon pushed the limit and succeeded with flying colors…and also earned 9’s and 10’s on my grading scale. On “The Hunter” they don’t try to reinvent any wheels but manage pump out excellent riff-heavy, thunderous metal in a style that is certainly unique to Mastodon. No one else sounds like ‘em, and the boys from HOtlanta continue their winning streak with another solid record. Fuck, I think the only thing about this record that doesn’t live up to expectations is the cover, I like the old ones a bit more.

- Information
- Released: 2010
- Label: Reprise/Roadrunner
- Website: www.mastodonrocks.com
- Band
- Troy Sanders: vocals, bass
- Brent Hinds: vocals, guitar
- Bill Kelliher: guitars
- Brann Dailor: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Black Tongue
- 02. Curl of the Burl
- 03. Blasteroid
- 04. Stargasm
- 05. Octopus Has No Friends
- 06. All the Heavy Lifting
- 07. The Hunter
- 08. Dry Bone Valley
- 09. Thickening
- 10. Creature Lives
- 11. Spectreligh
- 12. Bedazzled Fingernails
- 13. The Sparrow