Mastodon - New album

[Nazgûl]

First listen and yeah definitely agree that you'd miss Hinds but not to the extent to say the band has nothing left in the tank without him. Far from it. It's good, but I can't put my finger on what it is telling me I probably won't return to it all too much if at all. Same with their last few. I don't think Troy Sanders is able to write a memorable vocal hook at all anymore and his cleaner style he's switched to (prob out of necessity) in later albums kinda grates on me.

All they accomplished with the first four albums just won't ever be topped for me. All that I could want really from the band when I need my fix.

Naysaying aside there is definitely some whopper riffs and sections throughout. Proggy keyboards are a cool addition.

[Nazgûl]

The dungeons and dragons narration on "Three Fates" actually made me laugh first time I heard it. Ridiculous stuff.

Trust Neil Fallon to knock a bitta craic outta any situation alright.

[Carnage]

Instead of my usual 20 min. walk home I took this album for a roundabout walk tonight. It's... alright. Better than the last two albums but only just. Initial reaction only, I think it's one I'll have to live with for a while before I can judge it properly.