Mastodon has become a household name in the metal world thanks to a discography that includes some incredible albums. With killer riffs, intriguing themes, and a progressive mindset, the Atlanta-based metal band has continually captivated the minds and ears of listeners with each release.
One of the most impactful albums in his career was the one from 2004. Leviathanwhich arrived on August 31, 2004. While the band's debut LP, Remissionreceived much critical acclaim, Leviathan It would really demonstrate the band's greatness; albeit playing the band's muddiest tone at the time, Leviathan showcases the band's progressive creativity, offering listeners an epic and adventurous experience.
Drummer and vocalist Brann Dailor took some time to talk to us and give us some insight into LeviathanThe creative process, as well as the band’s feelings behind the album.”Leviathan“That album came together pretty quickly,” Dailor began. “I think we wrote it in about three months. I remember we were in the rehearsal space every night, after everyone got off work, and we were just having a lot of fun. It came together pretty easily.”
He continued: “We were on tour for almost two months with Clutch, and we were playing almost every night, trying to figure out [the music] So we tried every song every night and a lot of them didn't even have lyrics. So Brent [Hinds] and Troy [Sanders] We were just yelling stuff. You can't do that nowadays because everyone records everything, but back then we could get away with it. When we went out to record the material, our producer was pretty pissed off, because we were pretty exhausted. We had been touring in our van for two months and he was like, “Don't ever do that again.” But I think the recordings came out great because we were a very well-oiled machine when we went out to record. [the studio].”
Loosely based on the 1851 novel Moby Dick, Leviathan represents the band's first concept album. Even before the music starts, one can't help but be drawn to the album cover; the majesty of the immense white whale with a ship on its back remains one of the grandest album covers in music history. LeviathanDailor's concept, he shared: “We had the great idea about the Moby Dick “It’s something we’re all excited about because of the aesthetic and the ability to make our own concept album based on this incredible piece of literature.”
“Blood and Thunder” starts off with pulsating riffs and a steady force. The first half of the song keeps this pace, the drums and bass providing extra weight along with the catchy beat. At the song’s midpoint, the guitars unfold into this lovely rise of melody, the drums building up the intensity. In combination with the deep vocal accents, the song gives this amazing feeling of a storm over the seas. “I remember we were going to release ‘Blood and Thunder’ as the first single,” Dailor said, “and our publicist at Relapse Records called me in a panic and said, ‘We can’t release it as the first single. People aren’t going to like it. We need to release ‘Iron Tusk’ because it’s more like a song than a song.” Remission. And people will be surprised by the change that 'Blood and Thunder' represents.”
An incredible element about Leviathan The band’s theme is their sense of atmosphere; the band’s material sets a tone and offers listeners mesmerizing compositions. On “I Am Ahab,” the band delivers a vibrant sludge performance. Through the unbridled drum patterns and throbbing bass, the rapid guitar progression throughout the song exudes this triumphant feeling; the various tempo changes build on this aura, painting a picture of someone heading out to sea.
As a band, Mastodon has excellent chemistry; since the release of their first album, it's been Dailor, Brent Hinds (guitar), Bill Kelliher (guitar), and Troy Sanders (bass), and all members have collaborated on multiple songs throughout their career. The band's camaraderie feels beastly throughout. Leviathan; like a well-calculated madness, each song moves at full speed, each aggressive and atmospheric component falls into place.
“Seabeast” begins with a slower progression, the instrumentation increasing with the singing. A factor that makes Leviathan A fascinating record is the use of aggression and calm found in certain songs. Leviathan It never gets weighed down with heaviness or dragged on for too long; instead, the groove is masterfully captured in each song, as well as the album as a whole. There's a superb level of technicality at work here, as the band keeps each composition fresh and spontaneous. Later on “Island,” the guitars present this whirlwind of frenetic tones that complement each other. While a guitar screeches, the drums and bass pound, building tension before the song comes to a close.
At the time of its release, Leviathan It was a huge step forward in the band's career. Remission It's a work of colossal chaos; bombastic instrumentation is present for most of its duration, and the band incorporates an intriguing chemistry into the songs. Leviathan takes the band's heavy style and transforms it into different moods and sounds, while also introducing more varied song structures.
With every guitar note and every percussion pattern, “Naked Burn” oozes emotion. The song switches between aggressive and more laid-back vibes, but regardless of the level of intensity, the band perfectly captures a theatrical emotion throughout the material. On “Aqua Dementia” and “Hearts Alive,” both tracks incorporate a stellar compositional structure; through their winding instrumentation, varying tempos, and tonal shifts, these cuts lead in one direction, only to take the listener by surprise when they evolve. Even at this early point in their career, Mastodon showcase their ability to create fluid transitions, establishing a heavy, even semi-meditative quality to their work.
Years later, Leviathan remains an absolute masterpiece that has stood the test of time; some have even gone so far as to call it one of the most important metal albums of the 21st century. LeviathanMastodon laid the groundwork for all their heavy, progressive material that would follow. In the world of metal, Leviathan It is both a representation of technical prowess and of how to present a work of theatrical depth. Whether you are listening Break the sky either Sand Emperoryou can hear and feel the influence of Leviathan Through those albums.
Reflecting on the album's completion, Dailor recalled, “I remember sitting in the parking lot of Extended Stay when it was finished, and we sat there and drank like a case of beer and listened to Leviathan “Over and over again. We were very excited about the result. I wasn’t sure what people were going to think. I remember there were people who were crazy about Blood and Thunder and said it was too simple and straightforward. We were just writing what we wanted and what we liked.”
He concluded: “But Leviathan In a way, everything changed for us. All of our shows started selling out and we thought, “Wow, things are happening!” We started getting attention from major labels, which definitely put us on the defensive. And we got some management, did Ozzfest, and started touring with Slayer. Yeah, Leviathan “It was one of those albums that really changed the life of the band. It was definitely a highlight for us.”
With LeviathanMastodon have landed their big white whale. The album is a true heavy metal masterpiece and will always be a staple of progressive music.
Editor's note: This feature was originally published in 2019. It has been updated and republished for Leviathan's 20th anniversary.
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