Customer Reviews

Lifesblood

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mastodon's debut EP Lifesblood probably isn't quite as good as their to albums, but it's still an excellent work. Any Mastodon fan needs to pick it up.

The production here is very rough. The guitars shriek and howl, and the drums sound quite odd and there's a bit of static sometimes as well. On top of this, the songwriting is a bit more manic than they're later stuff, making this their most raw and visceral release. Dailor's drumming steals the show, as usual, though it's hurt somewhat by the odd drum production.(the bass drum in particular sounds off.) Still, he's my favorite metal drummer, and his work here does nothing to discourage that opinion. The vox are pretty insane. More over the top and more varied than in Remission, though it's got a bit of subdued work as well. They fit very well though. The riff-writing isn't as good as it would become, but they still crank 'em out pretty well. Plus, on this album it's more about an overall feel to the music than the individual riffs. They have a really vicious guitar tone. Not as thick and heavy as later, but more sharp and jagged. Once again, it fits the songwriting very well.

All the tracks are good. Shadows that Move and Welcoming War are raging tech-metalcore at it's rawest. Not immediately memorable, but the intensity they have while you listen to them is more than enough. The way Shadows that Move kicks in after the vocal sample is just great. Will blow you away for sure. We Built This Come Death changes things up a bit, with a bit more atmosphere and some roughly sung vocals. It's actually got a pretty catchy chorus. A very good song. Hail to Fire is the standout track. It perhaps surpasses even their brilliant Crusher Destroyer in the 2 minute mosh marathon category. Incredibly heavy, with a great piercing lick. More brilliant drumming too. Battle at Sea slows things down a bit, and is another great track. Nice atmosphere, and a good contrast between death vox and some black metal-ish shrieking.

Well that's it. This isn't Mastodon at their best, but it's better than most other bands. Get it.

Looking back at the previous decades, it's easy to see who the best metal bands were during those time periods. Black Sabbath was easily the best metal band of the `70's, Metallica owned the 80's despite what happened to them later on, and Pantera kept heavy music alive in the `90's. However, it's not so easy to say who is the greatest metal band of the 2000's since the decade is only half over. Many people may make predictions about who we will still be talking about in 2015, but rest assured, it will be Mastodon.
There are some great metal bands out there right now, but Mastodon stands above the rest for several reasons. Their music is complex but still digestible to the casual listener, unlike Dillinger Escape Plan or Meshuggah. They use elements of old school metal but don't sound too derivative, unlike Lamb of God or High on Fire. They do some genre blending and make it flow together smoothly, unlike Burnt by the Sun or Converge. While all those other bands are great at what they do, none will be remembered like Mastodon will.
Mastodon is slowly climbing their way to the top of the metal world and they will only get bigger with each album. Right now, after releasing their second album, they're in the opening slot for Slayer on tour. In a few years, Slayer will be opening for Mastodon.
"Lifesblood" is very impressive for a first release. It's a nice slab of raw aggression and unrestrained power, but they also spice it up with movie dialogue samples which adds a needed sense of humor to the sledgehammer songs. Like all other Mastodon albums, it takes a few listens to let it grow on you, then you're addicted.
It's easy to imagine this EP going out of print in a few years and being auctioned on the web for 50 or 60 dollars. Everybody will want to know what Mastodon sounded like in the beginning.

This EP is a shorter (five song) version of the 9 Song Demo released in 2000. The major differences between the two are that the production is much better on this disc (which is to be expected), and that this disc has Hinds/Sanders doing vocals, replacing Saner. The music experience with this disc is not quite up to the level heard on Leviathan, but it's possibly a bit better than Remission at times. Perhaps the best song on here is Battle at Sea, which captures very well Mastodon's ability to combine in the same song a heavy metallic ferocity with beautiful atonal clean guitar work. So, while the disc is only a short EP--with the total time of 15:39--it's definitely worth picking up if you are into metal.

I bought this album brand new for cheap just a few days ago and didn't even play it at first (still listening to Hypnotize by SOAD). I don't usually go back and buy previous albums from bands I like (I, of course, have Remission and Leviathan) cuz they have the tendency to have poor production qualities and just not represent the band well (think spandex clad Slayer or "Diamond" Darrell Abbott) but I make the exception for my favorite current band and close 2nd all-time fav Mastodon. I haven't even finished listening to it yet but I can tell you not much changes with these guys and thats a very good thing. With a metal scene sounding more and more Scandanavian, Mastodon shines with very American riffs and southern twang that illuminates hope for the future of American metal. Their sound is unmistakable. Brann Dailor is a little less tireless and frenetic with his drumming on this early effort and overall the disc pulls a little more from the thrash community than later efforts which challenges you to compare the brutal intensity of "We Built This Come Death" against opuses like "Hearts Alive". Regardless, i've yet to find a second--let alone a song--that I didn't enjoy from them. Mastodon is very consistent and honest to their craft and each track on each album reflects that commitment. Enjoy them while you can cuz the good ones never last that long.

The only thing i can say about mastodon is that they are brilliant. The reason there isnt a 5 in the rating is because pretty much anyone who like a particular disc is going to always rate it a 5...anyway, if you are into metal in the least form go out and get this disc and remission as well in my opinion one of the best drummers in heavy music to date and anyone who can tune that low and get away with it is ok in my book

... The sound on this is crushing. These guys are good! Worth the price of admission for the snare fills alone, Brann Dailor probabally gets about two days use out of a snare head...

i took the butcher knife and i held it up to her neck and i said if you wanna live to see tomorrow you better start fryin' 'em eggs a little bit better'n what you been fryin' 'em i tired of eatin sloppy slimey eggs...