Customer Reviews

Remission

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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

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!

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.

I generally like my music heavy or technical, preferably both. To put it mildly, Mastodon scores big in both areas. "Remission" is basically the musical equivalent of a carpet-bombing raid. It's sustained, it's precise, and it's unforgiving. I've heard some pretty monstrous albums in my time, but this one leaves most of them in the dust. With songwriting and musicianship that blows pretty much everyone on the radio out of the water, Mastodon have created an instant heavy-music landmark with "Remission."

Although every band member excels, drummer Brann Dailor definitely deserves special mention. With an average drummer Mastodon would be good, but with this guy they're unbelievable! Brann's drumming pushes the music to new heights of technicality and intensity. His beats are so frenetic and complex I don't think Einstein could figure them out. Any time it looks as if there might be even the slightest lull in a song, he jumps in with his astonishingly fluid fills. He's definitely gonna go down in the annals of metal's all-time best drummers before he's done.

As for the album, it rarely lets up in intensity, even in the instrumental parts. It's a constant barrage of harsh shouts, pulverizing riffs, and ever-changing tempos. And did I mention the drumming? It's really good too. Every song is excellent, with creative structures that provide the band members plenty of opportunities to show off their skills. The epic "Ol'e Nessie" is definitely a highlight. For about two and a half minutes, the song is a midtempo instrumental, and it sounds like it might be a bit of a breather. But then, the heavy riffs and menacing shouts start back up, and the band commences pummeling the listener into the ground once again. "Trilobite," another choice cut, brilliantly mixes crushing heaviness with calm acoustic passages. The instrumental closer "Elephant Man" is a nice touch as well, ending the album on a mellow note after ten mostly insane tracks.

It's really too bad that a band as good as Mastodon isn't going to be heard by many people (I certainly wouldn't mind seeing these guys performing at halftime of the Super Bowl next weekend instead of Shania Twain). But for those privileged people who know the best music typically resides beneath the radar of popular consciousness, "Remission" should provide plenty of enjoyment. If, like me, you're always on the lookout for a good mix of heaviness and technicality, you can find your salvation right here.

Mastodon's "Remission" is bound to become a classic in not only the stoner and math breeds, but the genre of metal as a whole. Building upon a simple formula (musical brutality contrasted with occasional outbursts of nuanced serenity), Mastodon have erected a marvel of modern metal, complete with song titles and musicality that lend credence to the group's namesake. Layer upon titanic layer of hard-hitting heaviness comprise the majority of this CD, taking no prisoners and damn proud of it. The guitars often give way to a relentless, pummeling percussion section, blending the two massive elements to create one lumbering, vitality-injected monstrosity. The beast is tamed from time to time, as on the rather melodic and mellow introductions to "Trainwreck" and especially "Ol'e Nessie," or the unannounced arrival of an all-out groove right in the middle of "March of the Fire Ants." And "Elephant Man" features some moodier, slower-paced riffing, and is entirely instrumental, letting all the elements flow together smoothly. The rest of the beast is basically given to primal rhythms and melodies. Highlights of this aspect include the aptly named "Crusher Destroyer," "March of the Fire Ants," "Where Strides the Behemoth," and the Zeppelin-esque titled "Trampled Under Hoof." "Trilobite" is a nice hybrid of the two breeds of poetry on display on this incredible disc. The end result is a powerful creature, albeit one that is sometimes too overbearing and dense in its aural assault. A prime example of this is the drumming, which, while nearly unmatched in technicality, tends to rely too heavily on fills and thus often times overpower many of the guitar and bass riffs, which are bone-crushingly extreme and dissonantly beautiful in turn (and often at the same time). A minor complaint, as is the grievance about the lack of clean vocals. In this vast sea of intensity, they are scarcely needed. Overall, a great development of Mastodon's sound, which would only be improved upon with their towering follow-up, "Leviathan".

This album sounds like Art. I would have given it 5 stars had I written this review Before hearing "Leviathan," but that album is so much better sounding that by contrast, this is four stars. Both are incredible, as is Mastodon. A lovely young woman I have the joy of working with introduced me to these guys, so I've only been a fan a short time, but so far its all been an incredible experience. I can't say they're my favorite, but at the moment, of all the Metal bands I've been listening to lately, these guys are on top. They're not just loud, they have a style that is quite unique; and their lyrics are an usual bunch. In both "Remission" and "Leviathan" I'm noticing a pattern to what the songs are about, if they are about anything...which is good. It is Poetry in the form of Heavy Metal, and they pull it off magically. Musically I can't say much, as I am not a musician. All I can do is bring about the old cliche phrase:

"I may not know (metal), but I know what I like...and I like this."

Mastodon were one of the big metal breakout bands of 2002, and were quickly heralded as one of the premiere metalcore acts in the world. I didn't get around to checking them out until fairly late in 2003. All I can say is better late than never, and if you are even a slight fan of 'extreme metal' you must check this out immediately.

The first thing that you are likely to notice when you listen to this album is the drumming. To be perfectly blunt, I believe that this album has the greatest metal drumming performance that I've ever heard. Forget Christy and Hoglan and Portnoy and Mournier and Longstreh, Brann Dailor crushes them all.(And don't tell me that so and so is more technical; I don't care. I'm speaking from a purely subjective, artistic standpoint) He's an utterly maniacal metal-fusion drummer who unleashes some truly spectacular and wildly shifting rhythms along with the most frenetic and powerful fills around. And it goes without saying that he can still groove with the best of them. He plays with such unbelievable intensity and energy that even after dozens of listens he's still truly exhilirating to listen to every time. Some might say he's too busy and overbearing, but he's just to damn fun to listen to, and most of the energy in the album comes from his performance. The rest of the band are no slouches, to be sure. The guitars are extremely distorted, hissing and rasping wildly while they throw out some nicely varied riffs, ranging from crushing stoner or doom groove-riffs to bizarre, lightning-quick licks. They manage to be crushingly heavy one second and surprisingly melodic and lucid the next. They also are clearly technical without being overly flashy, and thus never sacrifice groove or memorability for self-indulgent excesses. The vox are first rate as well. They are a somewhat monotonous and distorted roar (for the most part) which frequently provides a sort of base for the instrumental madness around them. They even manage to write some rather catchy vocal lines every now and then, rather surprising considering the anti-melodic nature of their basic style.

There are no throwaway tracks here, so I'll just cover a few highlights. Crusher Destroyer(the songs have great names, by the way) is a massive opener. Dailor drums with unbelievable ferocity while the others throw out some unusual and highly abrasive riffs, which leads nicely to the more melodic section in the middle. Great Song. Workhorse is the absolute best track here. A nice little intro cuts to an utterly fierce and stomping groove with an instantly memorable vocal line. The breakdown in the middle is fabulous as well. Trainwreck is calmer, more epic. It's got some distinctive, softer and raspier vocals and some eerie melodic guitar which alternate with the most powerful groove riffs on the album. The faster, more intense section later in the song brings it all together nicely. Probably the second best song. Elephant Man is a very solid, generally fairly mellow instrumental. Lots of melody and some beautiful leads combine with a good amount of atmosphere and an understated but very real undercurrent of intensity which threatens to explode all throughout the track. The bonus track Emerald is very cool as well. A nice Thin Lizzy cover which both provides a good contrast to the rest of the album, yet still fits in very well.

But enough specifics. Mastodon are one of the best new metal bands out there, and the best metalcore band around. Get it.

The first few listens of this cd, I wasn't sure if I liked what I was hearing. But after a few more listens, it started to grow on me, now Mastodon is one of my favorite bands! Some say this is metalcore, some say it isn't, well I think they're in a league of their own.The drumming on this cd is insane, and really makes this band who it is. If you like heavy music, thats is a little different than all the "newer" metal thats on mtv, check this out

I picked up the original copy a while ago, and let me start by saying that this is the freshest sounding music I have heard in a long time. This CD is definitely worth your money, and I think it is worth your extra cash (I only payed 12 bucks for this version at the Relapse Records store in Philly; some people won't be so lucky) to upgrade if you already own the original.
You would basically be upgrading to a DVD and a bonus track. The bonus track is a cover of Thin Lizzy's Emerald, and this song just plain rocks. One of the greatest covers I have ever heard. I would gladly hand over 12 bucks just for this track.
Now don't get too excited about the DVD. The quality is not that good, and I hope Mastodon's sound guy was put to death after this show. Troy's vocals are so much louder than the whole band, and when Brent starts singing Workhorse, you cannot hear the vocals at all. Despite the technical problems, it is amazing to see them live, and the DVD is really cool.

I've always had the sense that the genre of metal music always had a monolithic representative holding down the essence of metal...That if you were asked "what is metal?", you wouldn't have to describe it, you could just as well say "it's Black Sabbath" or "Metallica" or "Slayer" or "Pantera"...well those were the bands you could, at least at one time, say that defined metal. I think Mastodon carries the banner of those bands for the genre now and does it well. What is metal? It's Mastodon.

This record is an excellent introduction to the band. If you still haven't gotten into this ridiculously good band, here's where you start.