Out of all of the prominent metal bands to emerge around the turn of the new millennium, few have done more to bring proggy sludge metal to the mainstream than Georgia’s Mastodon. While the band’s current success seems easily attained today, the fact is that between 2002’s Remission and 2009’s Crack The Skye, Mastodon weren’t quite as popular as they are now. However, their growth in those four full-length albums led them to where they are now, and few albums showcase that great leap forward more than Crack The Skye. When you listen to this record, you know it’s definitely not a surprise they’ve won a Grammy, too! (no matter if you value that or not)
Following up the already excellent Blood Mountain was not an enviable task for Mastodon, but Crack The Skye lived up to even the wildest of expectations. Released on March 24th, 2009, this isn’t an album to really find much in the way of filler in. Seven songs, just over 50 minutes, and some of the band’s most forward-thinking material to date. “Oblivion” could not possibly be a better track to open the album with. And while overall the album is still “heavy” enough for the band’s oldest fanbase, its progressive nature and themes of space travel and wormholes (seriously!) mean that it bridges the gap between Mastodon’s earliest material and their more accessible fare.
