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.

[ldj]

Just copped the lyrics to Poisonous Weapons on another listen, wonder if these were written prior to Hinds' passing...they're pretty brutal "your failures are not my fault, no sympathy, all hail the weakest link"  .

[Pentagrimes]

Thought the same myself in which case their honesty in keeping those lyrics is fair.

Mind you I thought "In the Ruins" was about their deteriorating relationship and its actually about Sanders house being destroyed by flooding. Its hard not to read every song as being about Hines in some way.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

First full listen. Better than I was expecting, for the most part much like a mix of various parts off the previous three albums, without being any more than the sum of those parts, to my ears.

[The Great Cull]

Thought the same myself in which case their honesty in keeping those lyrics is fair.

Mind you I thought "In the Ruins" was about their deteriorating relationship and its actually about Sanders house being destroyed by flooding. Its hard not to read every song as being about Hines in some way.

I thought the same about In The Ruins until I saw the youtube clip explaining the background. Either way, many of the lyrics could easily be interpreted other ways too.

Mad to see in another clip that In The Ruins was suggested to be dropped at one point during the sessions. It's one of the stronger moments on the album.

Hilariously, the line "The wind she wore, reared it's head" has been AI translated on Spotify as "The witchy wall, pretty tits" 

[Born of Fire]

Jesus I couldn't imagine In The Ruins being on the chopping block, it's still my favourite on the album and a proper earworm!

Solid album overall. I can definitely see it having long term staying power. And despite the loss of Brent it's still unmistakably Mastodon through and through, kudos to the lads for still pulling it out of the bag this far into their career.

[nimhiúil]

I'm the only one of my friends that seems to be digging this, I don't know what they are hearing, I'd happily put it up with last 3 albums

[Sworntothecans]

It's alright. They feckin' spoiled us with the Remission riffs. There's been great stuff since but no March Of The Fire Ants-esque stuff.

[Don Gately]

Decent album so far

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Threw on Emperor of Sand for the first time in a while last night. I consider it good but the weakiest of the previous three. But I can't hear anything in this new one that wasn't already present in it, down to synths and keys. I can get with anyone saying the new one is on a par with the previous three (even if I personally disagree), but to folk who seem to think the new one is better... that just ain't so.

[NINE-T]

Really liked their recent output and this is an excellent addition to them. Brent was what gave them that special something imo, but guys have created an album that delivers in all aspects.

[Trev]

Threw on Emperor of Sand for the first time in a while last night. I consider it good but the weakiest of the previous three. But I can't hear anything in this new one that wasn't already present in it, down to synths and keys. I can get with anyone saying the new one is on a par with the previous three (even if I personally disagree), but to folk who seem to think the new one is better... that just ain't so.

I'd rate EoS as top out of the last three,  Jaguar God is one of my favourite songs they've done. H&G took me a long time and a lot of listens for it to finally click, and I still never really come back to it

This new one is a lot more immediate, bit riffier, but missing the few little Brentisms that he'd bring

[Pentagrimes]

I've paid little attention to the last three in fairness beyond listening to each once or twice and not being particuarly overwhelmed. I get what youre saying about elements on this being on them, this album just grabbed a lot more overall. Just found it more focussed, snappier, and more engaging.