Mastodon - The Hunter (#7386)

metalgod · **Joined:** Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:50 am **Posts:** 5515

You're welcome to comment on:

Quote:

Mastodon - The Hunter
Prog/Sludge Metal
Quoted: 90 / 100

Click here to see the review.

MetalStorm · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:55 pm

Didn't care for it at all sorry to say :sad:

stevelovesmoonspell · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:12 pm

It wasn't particularly bad the vocals and dumbed down musicianship are the weakest aspect, they've gone commercial even more so now, but the album isn't a toal piece of shit like Heritage. Ill just spin Leviathan and Remissions in memory of the band.

SolarSoul25 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:14 pm **Posts:** 622

Very good album, not sure where it fits in with their discography. Probably 82/100 for me.

AlexandeR · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:26 pm

90? Ridiculous...

traptunderice · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:33 pm

Not my cup o' tea.

belowthelights · **Joined:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:10 pm **Posts:** 780

It has grown on me but I really just don't like the vocals or the commercial song structures.

heatseeker · **Posted:** Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:11 am

Didn't realize this was reviewed. From the other thread:

Quote:

I still

a bit at everyone going MAINSTREAM RADIO MAINSTREAM MAINSTREAM MAINSTREAM. I mean, yeah it is more "mainstream" but have any of you listened to the radio lately? Mastodon is still, and I mean by far, much much much heavier than any rock that actually gets playtime on "mainstream" outlets. The heaviest band I've ever heard on the radio is Killswitch Engage, maybe Slipknot.

I might be biased because I can still enjoy Mastodon, even if they're being more mainstream. I dunno.

I really doubt that these guys went in writing this with the intention of getting a big hit, either. I think it's much more likely that they just wanted to make a fun album after the beast that was Crack the Skye.

This is settling in pretty comfortably for me as their 3rd best album, behind Crack the Skye and Leviathan.

About2Crash · **Posted:** Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:03 am

i still would contend that the album is NOT dumbed down musically. Leviathan easily has the bands most simplistic riffs. What this album lacks in the tech of Blood Mountain it makes up for with incredibly crafty production and layering. The vocal harmonies in particular had a lot more thought put into them than I originally thought. And I enjoy it. I really miss the days off of stuff like Lifesblood and Remission, but I can't really complain about losing a great sludge band for an equally great prog band. I just hope that the songs can be pulled off live. The live singing got a lot better on the Crack the Skye tour, but I can imagine some of these songs being really tricky to play.

belowthelights · **Joined:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:10 pm **Posts:** 780

The riffs aren't the problem, they're brilliant as always (♥ Octopus Has No Friends and Bedazzled Fingernails). It's the vocals and the constant barrage of 'obviously meant for radio' choruses. It's just lame.

SolarSoul25 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:14 pm **Posts:** 622

belowthelights wrote:

The riffs aren't the problem, they're brilliant as always (♥ Octopus Has No Friends and Bedazzled Fingernails). It's the vocals and the constant barrage of 'obviously meant for radio' choruses. It's just lame.

I disagree. Listening to this album, I find nothing lame about it. It is different, certainly, but it still has a great sound that will give it longevity in my player. The vocals, IMO, lend a great deal of character to the album and give it more of a 70's rock vibe which according to an article I read was part of his intent. The more I listen to it, the more I dig it.

Legacy Of The Night · **Posted:** Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:24 pm

I gotta say, I'm impressed with this album. Way more than I thought I would be. At first my expectations were kinda wavering after hearing so many people saying "RADIO BULLSHIT" and whatnot, but after having heard it, I gotta say, it's solid. More than solid. Tight as a drum. People have been overstating the "radio" thing way too much I think. I have to wonder if all they did was listen to Curl Of The Burl and dismiss it altogether. There are more intense heavy tracks on this album than there were on Crack The Skye, ffs. I gotta give this a few more listens, but I think I'll grow to really like it.

heatseeker · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 3:17 am

Legacy Of The Night wrote:

I have to wonder if all they did was listen to Curl Of The Burl and dismiss it altogether.

This

vkristi · **Posted:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 8:12 pm

I think september was a great month. Several good albums, and this is one of them. I`m glad I bought it.

khelek@metalreviews.com · **Joined:** Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:02 pm **Posts:** 214

I heard these guys were on Letterman the other night, and of course they played Curl Of The Burl. I think it's awesome to see such a talented metal band get that kind of attention, good for them.

So far I'm really liking this album, probably won't give it a 90, but definitely in the 80s.

The Annoying Frenchman · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:03 pm

khelek@metalreviews.com wrote:

I heard these guys were on Letterman the other night, and of course they played Curl Of The Burl. I think it's awesome to see such a talented metal band get that kind of attention, good for them.

Terrible performance, imho.

khelek@metalreviews.com · **Joined:** Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:02 pm **Posts:** 214

The Annoying Frenchman wrote:

khelek@metalreviews.com wrote:

I heard these guys were on Letterman the other night, and of course they played Curl Of The Burl. I think it's awesome to see such a talented metal band get that kind of attention, good for them.

Terrible performance, imho.

Eh, I didn't think it was great either, but oh well. I'm just saying I don't care how popular/mainstream/commercial/etc they get as long as they can still make albums as good as this one is.

Edit - However, I must admit it's no Leviathan.

heatseeker · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:09 pm

khelek@metalreviews.com wrote:

The Annoying Frenchman wrote:

khelek@metalreviews.com wrote:

I heard these guys were on Letterman the other night, and of course they played Curl Of The Burl. I think it's awesome to see such a talented metal band get that kind of attention, good for them.

Terrible performance, imho.

Eh, I didn't think it was great either, but oh well. I'm just saying I don't care how popular/mainstream/commercial/etc they get as long as they can still make albums as good as this one is.

Edit - However, I must admit it's no Leviathan.

Went and checked it out, I thought they did a pretty good job. No, the vocals aren't perfect, but they're decent and the energy is good.

Better performance than Oblivion from last year, anyways. But they fucking KILLED when i saw them live.

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Mastodon - The Hunter (#7386)

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