LIFESBLOOD

"Lifesblood" is an EP release by US metal act Mastodon. The EP was released through Relapse Records in September 2001 (their second 2001 EP). Mastodon formed in 2000 and released the "9 Song Demo" later the same year. After only a few shows supporting the demo release original lead vocalist Eric Saner left Mastodon and the band opted to re-record and replace Saner´s vocal tracks with vocal tracks performed by guitarist Brent Hinds and bassist Troy Sanders. Five of the nine tracks from the demo (featuring the re-recorded vocals) make up the 15:37 minutes long "Lifesblood". All material from the EP would later be released as part of the "Call of the Mastodon" (2006) compilation album.

Stylistically Mastodon play a hard to describe type of metal, influenced by sludge, thrash, hardcore, and even death metal. The vocals are angry, shouting, and often doubled by the two vocalists. The soundscape is raw, brutal, and busy, and Mastodon immediately prove that they are a technically well playing unit. Drummer Brann Dailor is on fire throughout the EP´s five tracks, driving the music forward in a both powerful and creative fashion.

If anyone feared that material culled directly from a demo would feature a bad sound quality, those fears are unfounded as the material on "Lifesblood" features a powerful, raw, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well. The songwriting is maybe a bit unfocused and all over the place, but it´s part of the charm of early Mastodon. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).

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