Mastodon's Musicianship
When it comes to musicianship, Mastodon is unparallelled. Guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher are able to weave intricate and complex riffs and solos along with more standard metal riffs. Drummer Brann Dailor is one of the best in the business, and his creative playing really stands out. The band also brings aboard some guest musicians, including Neurosis vocalist Scott Kelly, Queen Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme and Cedric Bixler-Zavala from the Mars Volta.
Blood Mountain's Theme
The band's first two albums had elemental themes of fire and water. Blood Mountain has an earth theme, but it takes it even further with fantasy and epic elements. Vocally they take a different approach on this album as well. There is a lot more melodic singing than they've done in the past, but there are still plenty of harsher style vocals as well.
Blood Mountain is Mastodon's finest work to date, an epic album of power and creativity that pushes musical boundaries while still staying true to Mastodon's sound. This is one of the best metal CDs of the year.
