BLOOD MOUNTAIN

Mastodon

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

3.76 | 395 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

russellk
Prog Reviewer

This is a very strong metal album, but lacks the outstanding compositions that would have elevated it to the top echelon of the genre.

Fearsome technical skill is becoming more and more common these days, and with BRANN DAILOR this outfit have a supremely skilled skin-smasher. The rest of the band aren't too bad either. What is too bad is that too many of these tracks don't go anywhere: 'Bladecatcher' is an example of this, an instrumental without purpose, an album-filler. On the other hand, 'Sleeping Giant' is a genuine rib-crushing classic. Slow, extremely heavy, grinding the listener into the granite like a slab of BLACK SABBATH. 'The Wolf Is Loose' represents an excellent stab at a more commercial track. 'Colony of Birchmen' overflows with riffage, and 'Pendulous Skin' is a more than competent instrumental.

There's definitely a whiff of progressive sensibility here, but not much more. MASTODON is not a typical metal band, and neither is it a DREAM THEATER clone. They have been compared to OPETH, though it's not a comparison I'd make myself: OPETH'S compositional skills are far greater than those exhibited here. Definitely a band for fans of the sub-genre, though I'd imagine many proggers would enjoy 'Sleeping Giant'. Along with 'Leviathan', 'Blood Mountain' is MASTODON'S best work.

russellk | 3/5 | 2007-9-11

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this MASTODON review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to russellk
Report this review (#137720)
Buy MASTODON music online with PA partners
Show all MASTODON MP3/Stream
Go to MASTODON page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Blood Mountain page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for MASTODON related discussions