REMISSION

Remission is the first album from metalcore masters Mastodon. For a debut, it is very assured, but it's far from perfect. Brann Dailor makes this album a worthwhile listen. His work on Crusher Destroyer and Workhorse is some of the finest kitwork ever displayed. The rest of the band has yet to settle into the high musicianship that would reveal itself on Mastodon's next two superb releases, but there are some good solos.

Highlights of the album are Crusher Destroyer, Workhorse, and Where Strides the Behemoth. The rest of the album is sonically pounding but it fails to excite as much as the three Mastodon classics on the disc.

Fans of the heavy stuff have probably heard of Mastodon already, and bashers of metal probably have too. Mastodon, like just about any pog metal band, is love em or hate em. This is a strong debut, but newcomers should start with the other two releases.

Grade: C