Mastodon "Crack the Skye" Review

Heavy metal purists can be rigid. I should know since I have been one in the past and, on occasion, still find myself being as such. Once one of us finds a band that turns our head, the last thing we want is for that band to change would made us notice them in the first place. Especially when that change is done in the supposed attempt to garner mainstream exposure. With Mastodon, it seems as if that charge has followed them since their inception. For those who found the demo and subsequent re-release as "Lifesblood" as a musical awakening, there were some who found their "Remission" album to be dialed down. When "Blood Mountain" was released, some found their penchant for "clean" vocals objectionable. With "Crack The Skye", Mastodon has moved even further away from the blatant brutality of their early works.

So what then of "Crack The Skye"? Having been available for a little more than 2 months, I have had more than ample opportunity to truly digest this album in its entirety. Almost completely non-existent are the guttural vocals of the past, having been replaced by a trio of clean vocalists as drummer Brann Dailor now joins in on "Oblivion". Mastodon has taken another step away from their "death" metal beginnings (though that label can be debated as well). Despite this, Mastodon remains musically as heavy as they've ever been.

What they have done is what every band talks so frequently about, but often fail to achieve - progress. And in that progression, they have been able to expand their palette of sounds without sounding like a completely different band. Remaining true to their knack for technical wizardry, Mastodon has also delved further into melody, adding a whole new level of depth.

While each track bears its own personality, it is the final track that truly shows how much Mastodon has become a true musical force. "The Last Baron", in my opinion, is the closest any band has come to recreating the unique and memorable atmosphere of King Crimson's classic "21st Century Schizoid Man". Clocking in at over 11 minutes, the track begins in a dark and moody manner before spilling over into a heavier transition that leads to the frantic and inspiring middle of the song. In a way, it could thought of a musical triptych, not unlike Bosch's "Garden Of Earthly Delights". In that middle section of the track, there is even a stop-start guitar noodling moment that feels like a direct nod to Robert Fripp's outfit.

Rock and metal music seems to be heading up a new wave of true musical progress. After years of rock being dominated by now-forgotten bands with little sustainability, Mastodon is leading the way for forward-thinking musicians willing to take the time to craft an identity and grow a permanent audience. Whether or not it leads to fame and fortune remains to be seen. But, with talent like they possess, they certainly deserve it.