The underground juggernaut that is Relapse Records has done it again. They’ve managed to release one of the most impressive albums of the year that will probably go unnoticed by the mainstream. Atlanta’s Mastodon is a four-piece grind machine that rips out sonic blasts of dual-lead guitars and scorching vocals on their Relapse debut, Lifesblood.
The album is an EP, but in only five songs one can hear that precision that is lacking in so many death/grind bands today. Drummer Brann Dailor is quickly becoming an underground legend with insanely crafted grind-metal beats that have been perfected in stints with Today Is The Day and Lethargy. “Shadows That Move” rolls between progressive leads that tear into horror-core that would make even the greatest death metal guitarists shake their heads in disbelief. The band is that good, but unless you dig sickly heavy music, you’ll most likely avoid the noise, and that is fine. They’ll be secure in knowing they won’t have to hear their shit in between Godsmack and Linkin Park on the whatever-skewed radio stations. Lifesblood is a short blast of what’s to come from these purveyors of madness, and judging from the talent that the band has come from, the full-length will be more than most can handle.
+ rick hinkson
09.05.01
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.