Remission

Mastodon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 21, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Relapse
• ASIN: B0000DDAU9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,865 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #22 in Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Post Hardcore

Editorial Reviews

MASTODON REMISSION

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for Remission, 2 stars for the concert DVD, December 8, 2003

By 

Church of The Flaming Sword - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remission (Audio CD)

I decided I had to buy Remission based on the opinions of two of my favorite reviewers (Wheelchair Assassin and WPA). The bad news was that I was unable to find the original version of Remission anywhere. The good news was that I found the 2003 Limited Edition reissue. It took me about three days to recover from the shock that came from listening to a CD that was so heavy, so intense, and so good.

Relapse records has quite a roster of unique bands. And let me tell you, Mastodon is no exception. They have achieved something on their first album that few bands do in their entire careers; they have established their own sound. Nowadays, it seems that a lot of groups are trying to be the next Dillinger Escape Plan or Meshuggah. And while Mastodon possess a mastery of their instruments that put them in league with both aforementioned bands, they bring in an element that seems to contradict everything math-metal is about. That element is sludgy stoner rock riffing. Of course it helps when two of your members (guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor) were in the technical metal outfit Lethargy. But it really isn't their technical skill that impresses me about Mastodon, it's the feeling they put into every riff and drumbeat. They MEAN every note they play whether it be the unbelievably beautiful intro of "Ol'e Nessie" or the bonecrushing beginning of "March of the Fire Ants".

The DVD, which was filmed in Mastodon's hometown of Atlanta, really isn't much to write home about. The sound quality is atrocious. Bassist Troy Sanders' vocals are entirely too loud (he's actually louder than the instruments). and guitarist Bill Kelliher's vocals aren't loud enough. But I give it two stars for two reasons:

1. It was free. That appeals to cheapskates such as myself.
2. It proves that Mastodon are capable of backing up live what they do on the album.

Also included on the LE CD,but not on the original version, is an outstanding cover of Thin Lizzy's "Emerald". The vocals actually sound a bit like Phil Lynott. It's far better than that crummy "Whiskey in the Jar" from a certain little-known band from San Francisco.

Overall rating (for both CD and DVD combined): 4.25 stars

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply the best relapse has, January 7, 2004

By 

Willo "vegito17" (MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remission (Audio CD)

i might have reviewed this cd before, but i dont remember, so here we go.

first off let me say that mastodon is the most amazing metal band in the relapse assault. yes, although hard to believe, these guys top out cephalic carnage, dillinger escape plan, and maybe even pig destroyer.

i guess the reason that makes this cd so great is that its so diverse, while relapse is my favorite record label, a lot of relapse bands release CDs while are wonderful, become very dull after a couple of listens due to lack of variety in the music. mastodon is NOTHING like this however, they can have the all out brutality such as the opener "crusher destroyer" or "burning man", and than can slow down a touch with songs such as "trilobite" and the instrumentals of "o'le nessie".

these guys are just flat out talented. everything you hear about brann dailor's drumming is true. he's so technical and quick that a lot of the time your so focused on listening to the drums that you miss the rest of the cd, its that good. but, the beauty of his drumming is that he isn't always bursting on speed and going all over the kit like flo of cryptopsy, dailor likes to keep pace with the music, while still plowing his own path. believe everything you hear, the drums sound amazing.

the guitars are no exception, either. the music varies over several genres, and every single song stands out, no song sounds the same, this is what makes mastodon so much different from other relapse groups.

the vocals are also pretty well done, they are ridiculously low (such as nile) to where you can't take them seriously, and it isnt even really a growl, they sound like much more of a low yell, pretty neat. but dont be looking for a ton of vocals on this disc, for the music is what carries mastodon, a lot of the songs feature long instrumental interludes, with a dash of screaming.

1. Crusher Destroyer (9/10) - great opener, only 2 minutes and some really frantic drumming, heavy and somewhat repetitive guitar riffs.
2. March of the Fire Ants (10/10) - heaviest song on the cd, period, and argubly the best on the disc. i cant say much more about it, just flat out amazing.
3. Where Strides the Behemoth (9/10) - fast paced, and of course the crazy drumming make this a great song.
4. Workhorse (9/10) - a little bit slower paced and not as heavy as the first 3 tracks, but it has a sick breakdown near the end, not the best on the cd, but still a great song.
5. O'le Nessie (9/10) - starts out slow, with some cool guitars, and then just slams you with heavy riffs and screams, one of the longer songs on the cd.
6. Burning Man (10/10) - this is where mastodon shows off their blazing speed, this one's a quickie, and just flat out kicks.
7. Trainwreck (9/10) - this is the slowest song on the cd, opens with some voices and trains in the background, and a very soft guitar, than kicks into the first singing effort found on the disc, but dont worry, it picks up on the heaviness near the end. i really enjoyed this song.
8. Trampled Under Hoof (9/10) - very similar to crusher destroyer and burning man, quick, frantic drumming, and a really catchy opening guitar riff, good song.
9. Trilobite (10/10) - has the soft melody of trainwreck, and the all out heaviness of march of the fire ants, all in all a beautifully brutal song that shows a slower side of mastodon.
10. Mother Puncher (9/10) - Similar to march of the fire ants, but it stands out in its own way, some catchy guitar riffs and just flat out heavy guitars, great song.
11. Elephant Man (10/10) - instrumental piece, very beautiful and one of the few instrumentals that i can listen to over and over again, from ANY band that ive listened to, simply amazing, great closer for a fantastic CD.

i know i gave no song below a 9, thats because EVERY SONG IS AMAZING. believe everything, you will NOT be dissapointed with this, every single thing about this cd is great. the music, the vocals, the production, EVERYTHING. by far the best relapse release EVER, GET IT NOW!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brutal soundscapes, December 25, 2002

By 

RxxktheVote (maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remission (Audio CD)

Relapse Records seems to have it's finger of the pulse of everything that is pushing the boundaries of intensity in today's metal scene. From the over the top grind of PxDx and Agoraphobic Nosebleed to these guys, the aptly titled Mastodon, they sure know to pickem.

One part Dillinger Escape Plan, the other part Kyuss, Mastodon are uncomprisingly heavy, yet they still manage to make dynamic and memorable music. "Dynamic" is the key word here... "aesthetics" would be another one. Mastodon shift from texture to texture flawlessly, creating soundscapes that bring to (my) mind cosmic planes, windtorn deserts, and other such imagery. Musically, they use dense riffage and intricate signatures to the fullest, without sounding too frenetic... in fact, it is possible not to notice their technicality on the first listen, a result of their ace songwriting.

The most extraordinary thing about Mastodon, however, is their drummer, Brann Dailor. Holy cow, this guy tears up the kit on this one, dropping mind boggling fills and snare tricks almost every few seconds. The Remission is one of the only albums I own (tool's lateralus is another..) where it's easy to pay more attention to the drums than the band as a whole . THAT is how good this guy is... his cymbal work is commendable as well.

I don't know if I would use "stoner rock" to describe Mastodon, but the droning guitar tone and penchant for ear candy does nothing to revoke it. If you dig on the whole Relapse scene you should have no trouble falling for Mastodon... excellent band.