Mastadon: What's the big deal?

ultmetal wrote:

Vocals lacked much melody and the songs don't have a whole lot of hook.

I had the same observation. I bought "Blood Mountain" when it was released in response to the rave reviews, but could not get into it. It's an okay listen from beginning to end and has some pretty cool passages, but when the cd is over, I can't remember what I just heard. It doesn't stick. Then again, maybe I'm just old.

There is a lot more melody on the new album and some of the songs have definite hooks. But it flows more like a composed piece, sort of a metallic classical album. It basically needs to be listened to all the way through in one sitting to appreciate it.

I really like the all-instrumental version of the album, the production is so dense and layered it allows you to focus on all the little subtleties the vocal parts sometimes cover up.

Even though the album isn't as "heavy" as their others, it's probably even more challenging of a listen...there is so much going on that I think it will appeal more to progressive rock fans than metalheads.

The album title is a dedication to the drummer's sister Skye, who committed suicide when she was 14.