#19: MASTODON – REMISSION
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 5:00pm by MetalSucksSPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER BEN APATOFF OF APATOFF FOR DESTRUCTION & METAL INJECTION
We recently polled a wide array of musicians, managers, publicists, label reps, and writers from within the world of metal to find out what they thought the 21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century So Far have been. Eligible albums were released between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2009. Each panelist turned in a ballot, with their #1 album worth 21 points, their #2 album worth 20 points, and so on and so forth. The ballots are now in and we’ll be counting down one album a day until we reach #1. Today we present the #19 album, coming in with a total of 109 points…
Mastodon, Remission (Relapse, 2002)
Brann Dailor – Drums
Brent Hinds – Guitars/Vocals
Bill Kelliher – Guitars
Troy Sanders – Bass/Vocals
Produced by Matt Bayles
Mastodon’s first album erupts with a sound bite from Jurassic Park before unleashing twelve auditory beasts that absolutely wipe the floor with any CG Tyrannosaurus Rex. From hectic, abrasive mathcore (“Crusher Destroyer”) to spacey, slow-building epics (“Trainwreck”) to a monolithic Thin Lizzy cover (“Emerald,” worth tracking down on the re-release,) four then-unknown southerners who’d barely discovered clean vocals already sounded like they could pull off everything.
The riffs on Remission would be impressive enough just for not getting steamrolled by Brann Dailor’s fills, but it helps that Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher provide the type of monster-sized progressions that aren’t supposed to exist outside of Ride the Lightning. The entirely awesome “March of the Fire Ants” sounds like more of a breakthrough than anything they’ve released for Warner Bros., and hearing Mastodon throw all their weight into the two-fisted “Mother Puncher” is an affirmation of the involuntary headbang. Remission has all the rawness expected of a debut, with “Burning Man” and “Trampled Under Hoof” hitting like cinder blocks to the skull, but it also has the pace and diversity of something that veteran metal gods would release. If Mastodon’s inevitable aging process sounds anything like “Elephant Man” or “Ol’e Nessie,” we’ll be in luck.
Had they never followed up Remission by becoming one of the biggest metal bands of the decade, it’s safe to say Mastodon still would have been one of the best. They’d get heavier, more melodic and more proficient, but hearing Remission makes me wish Mastodon still sounded like they did in 2002.
-Ben Apatoff
Download Remission from Amazon or iTunes!
THE LIST SO FAR:
#20 – Shadows Fall, The War Within
#21 – Slipknot, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses
THE PANEL OF VOTERS
Chris Adler, Lamb of God
Dan And, Bison B.C.
Ben Apatoff, Apatoff for Destruction/Metal Injection
Jason Bittner, Shadows Fall
Tim Brennan, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Freddy Cai, Painkiller Magazine
Ian Christe, Bazillion Points
Reverend David J. Ciancio, Yeah! Management
Betsey Cichoracki, Relapse Records
Paul Conroy, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
J. Costa, Thy Will Be Done
Dallas Coyle, ex-God Forbid/Coyle Media
Doc Coyle, God Forbid
CT, Rwake
Anso DF, MetalSucks/Hipsters Out of Metal!
Vince Edwards, Metal Blade Records
Charles Elliott, Abysmal Dawn/Nuclear Blast Records
Brian Fair, Shadows Fall
Leo Ferrante, Warner Music Group
D.X. Ferris, author 33 1/3: Reign in Blood/Freelance Journalist
Mike Gitter, Roadrunner Records
Nick Green, Decibel
Matt Grenier, August Burns Red
Anthony Guzzardo, Earache Records
Kevin Hufnagel, Dysrhythmia
Mark Hunter, Chimaira
Steve Joh, Century Media
EJ Johantgen, Prosthetic Records
Kim Kelly, Metal Injection/Hails & Horns/Freelance Journalist
Josh “The J” Key, Psychostick
Jason Lekberg, skullsnbones.com
Eyal Levi, Daath
Bob Lugowe, Relapse Records
Matt McChesney, The Autumn Offering
Jake McReynolds, Psychostick
Marc Meltzer, The Syndicate
Josh Middleton, Sylosis
Matt Moore, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder
Vince Neilstein, MetalSucks
Sammy O’Hagar, MetalSucks
Anton OyVey, MetalSucks/Bacon Jew
Rob Pasbani, Metal Injection
Alex Preiss, Psychostick
Carlos Ramirez, NoiseCreep/NetReach
Brian Rocha, Fresno Media USA
Jeremy Rosen, Roadrunner Records
Axl Rosenberg, MetalSucks
Satan Rosenbloom, MetalSucks/Cerebral Metalhead
David Bee Roth, MetalSucks
Jason Rudolph, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Amy Sciarretto, Roadrunner Records/NoiseCreep
Carl Severson, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Gary Suarez, MetalSucks/No Yoko No/Brainwashed
Geoff Summers, The End Records/Crustcake
Bram Teitelman, The Syndicate/Metal Insider
Alisha Turull, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Christopher R. Weingarten, 1000TimesYes/Freelance Journalist
I remember hearing “March of the Fire Ants” for the first time on a Headbanger’s Ball compilation when I was a teenager and even though it took me a while to realize I actually liked it, that riff would get stuck in my head for days.
deedily deedily doo, deedily deedily doo, etc.
deedily deedily doo may be the funniest way I’ve ever seen that riff described. Now “deedily deedily doo” will be stuck in my head for days.
It’s actually quite the onomatopoeia. Damnit… now it’ll be stuck in my head too…
Thats awesome thats the same way I found out about Mastodon.
That’s funny, because I was thinking to myself “Now…which one was March of the Fire Ants again?” and then I read your deedily deedily doo, and instantly remembered the song.
You mean deedily deedily deedily doo, deedily deedily doo, deedily deedily deedily doo, doo doo doo*?
Queston is: How many Mastodon albums will found place on this list?
over 9000
Dragon Ball Z Baby!
I’d guess four…
A good question indeed…
well Crack the SKye will be and then Levitithon will and possible even Blood mountain.
Lets hope Crack The Skye…IS NOT! I would put it inmy top 21….of most BORING albums of
the Decade!!..
Sure i realise the technicallity of the playing and all that.. but it bores me to tears..
I like all their other cd’s…. Just not that one.
Just My Opinion
For the longest time I thought this was the pinnacle of Mastodon’s talent. It took me forever to enjoy anything after. Regardless, it’s a masterpiece.
An editorial wasn’t really needed. II think that album art about sums it up.
i was gonna say – that one makes the list just for that horse painting on the cover…
Finally.. some Metal that suits my tastes.
Two people from Shadow’s Fall and people from their label/management all over your “experts” panel. Hmmm… What a shitty group of people to decide what good music is.
“We recently polled a wide array of musicians, managers, publicists, label reps, and writers from within the world of metal to find out what they thought…”
Thought being the keyword. Get off your horse. It’s not to decide what good music is, it’s to decide what THEY THOUGHT were the best albums. This isn’t some end all be all list, they never are. Write your own damn list on your own shitty website.
what a shitty comment to make…
Should be higher, but I expect more Mastodon farther up the list. Amazing debut album from an amazing band. Each album is a clearly defined chapter in the band’s history and I just love them more and more with every release. If you haven’t seen these guys live yet, do yourself a favor and just do it. Fuckin’ A
NOW you’re talking. And yeah, I predict that at least two other Mastodon albums will feature on this list. They should feature on it anyways…
Awesome choice, not my fave Mastodon(that’d be Leviathan), but a mostly great record and original sounding. Mastodon are one of the biggest metal bands now, because of their amazing musicianship and uniqueness!
yay a good cd.
The “Ride the Lightning” progression comparison is dead on. Now the only question left to answer ’bout the ‘Don is whether Leviathan, Blood Mountain and Crack the Skye all make the list. My money’s on the second not making it.
I love this album, but its place in my heart is lower than their other albums.
Mastodon is the shit
i cant believe its this low its def mastodons best album
Never heard it. I’ll give it a listen real quick then hook up a real post later.
That’s great that you’re checking it out, but be advised that it might take more than a “real quick listen” to let some of that stuff sink in. I spent hours just listening and concentrating on just the drum tracks on “ole nessie” when this album first came out and I’m still perplexed!
“They’d get heavier, more melodic and more proficient, but hearing Remission makes me wish Mastodon still sounded like they did in 2002.”
If that wasn’t a rip on Crack The Skye I don’t know what would be. They need to be on the list at least once more. And thank GOD we finally have something that is SERIOUSLY deserving of being on The List.
No thanks. Not for me.
you listened for 2 songs.
It’s true. You caught me. I called our record store, and they didn’t have it in stock, so I downloaded a couple songs and so far they don’t suit my tastes. The guitar work is pretty good, but the vocals, umm, not so much. I’ll get a real copy of it and give it a few legitimate listens before I have a concrete opinion.
Not a fan either, not that theres anything particularly bad about them but I just can’t seem to get into them.
That album changed my meaningless life.
The other day I was stoned and looking at all their album art and forgot how awesome it all is. oh and I totally agree with the pick
I’m glad everyone has stopped shitting their pants.
That’s only because our bowels are empty and can’t muster any more.
But, seriously, awesome pick
I ate Indian cuisine tonight so I’m ready for whatever they throw at us tomorrow!
I know Leviathan will probably be placed highest but Blood Mountain is their best album.
For me, Leviathan is the best MASTODON album, but Crack the Skye is the best album by Mastodon.
? come again ?
what the hell does that even mean
WHERE STRIDES THE BEHEMOTH.
FUCK THIS BAND THEY ARE BORING, i would rather listen to screamo-crunk-trance-newwave-HappyHOUSE….
ok not really, i like couple of mastodons songs…kinda, havent really bothered giving them any more time.
Also, what kind of metalhead actually uses the word “onomatopoeia” …..The Kind that also has conversations about manowar’s loin cloths over herbal-tea.
this list is also boring, and yes i will be back.
MAKE THIS LIST TOUGH, NOT NERDY
You’re such a retarded fag. We all wonder at how you manage to lick the windows on the short bus and suck the massive amount of cocks you do, all at the same time.
Calm down and go back to listening to your Hollywood Undead album.
fuck you thin skinned pussies
Quiet you tatterdemalion, your lugubrious speech makes me sad. I believe your musical taste needs some amelioration.
Normal tea is sufficient.
Well spoken. I prefer herbal tea, actually.
Just a mocha for me, thanks.
man, fuck dude this albums sick, i dont know what you’re listening to
The sort of indoctrinated metalhead that defecates on your sepulcher following your perfunctory death via sanguinary, macabre asphyxiation.
And I’d be conversing about Iron Maiden and drinking Jack Daniels, cocksucker.
Awesome choice, i’m gonna predict Leviathan in the top 3
Brann Dailor really makes every Mastodon album for me, he is just incredible
Now we are talking
What an incredible album. This is just my opinion, but I think Blood Mountain is going to be closer ranked to number 1 than Leviathan will be. That is…if both of those albums are on that list.
NOW we’re talkin’. Still my favorite album of theirs.
I remember hearing part of March Of The Fire Ants on music choice back in ‘03 when I was first getting into metal and the riffs and vocals scared me. Now I would have to say that Remission is Mastodons finest.
HAHAHAHAHA! That has to be one of the funniest fucking screen names I have ever seen!
I’m hoping there’s more mastodon albums on this list, because I can’t really agree with picking this over leviathan or Blood Mountain.
Great album, as people have said it’s not their best, but Mastodon’s worst is still leagues above albums other metal bands have put out (and Mastodon hasn’t put out a bad album to date, either).
“hearing Remission makes me wish Mastodon still sounded like they did in 2002.”
Exactly how I feel about Mastodon. I never got into Crack the Skye no matter how much time i gave it. Listening to Trainwreck takes me back to 2003. As that sound clip at the start must of come from a train station in the north of England cause that’s exatcly the same thing i used to have to listen to whilst waiting in Leeds City Station for my old GF to show up.
Glad to see Mastodon made the list.
Still haven’t managed to get into this band. I suppose I just don’t “get” it.
in the past 2 months i went from hating this band, to buying ” Blood & Thunder”, to sarting to like them, and now they are my all time favorite band. i wish i had some money to buy their albums, cuz id feel bad downloading such a good bands work.
buy that shit used for 4 bucks. dont know where ya live, but in milwaukee, we got ‘disc go round’ and ‘cd max’ ,both stores sell tons of cds for 5 bucks or less.
well, actually, buying used is just like illegally downloading because you’re not supporting the artist. Sure, you’re supporting the store, but I don’t think most buyers really care about that.
No, it’s actually not anything like illegally downloading. You are paying taxes on it. As long as the government gets their cut, they don’t give a fuck. In fact, they prefer it. They are getting twice the tax on the same product. Same goes with thrift stores, consignment stores, etc.
It supports the government, but NOT the band. In that way buying used cd’s is similar to illegal downloading.
Bands make their money off of concerts. Labels make money off of record sales
Fuck the Goverment!! and no, their are no real music stores near my area of Connecticut other than hot topic, which is a 40 min drive to the mall. They wouldnt have the
CD’s anyway
Finally, a band that I listen too makes the top 21.
The world have come to an end if that hadn’t happened… thank god.
all their other albums will be on this list too….saw them at the Commodore in Vancouver with Kylesa —-fuckin slayed
Saw them in Calgary with INTRONAUT, that was a sick show.
Saw them in Boston with Kylesa and Intronaut. All three killed.
Shit ya…Vancouver show was rockin’ (Kylesa also most excellent). About time they finally came and played a real headlining gig. Glad to see this album on the much maligined list.
two southerners and two new yorkers, actually.
upstate new yorkers, cheah!
haha this is what im talking about boys
fuckin right
great album!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant record. Easily their best.
This band takes time to get into. When you step through that door, it’ll be like crossing the finish line.
Fuck I hope a band can have two albums on the list, Crack the Skye MUST be Here!!! somewhere near the no.1,
Remission!! fuck yeah! I first listened mastodon with Leviathan but when I listened to Remission it was an awesome experience too.
\m,/ Horns For the Mastodon \m/
Band sucks, fuck you all.
Sand in your vagina much?
Easily the most overrated band of the past 10 years, if you douches have to actuallly sit there and “force” yourself to like an album………. well you know the rest.
I grew up pretty fucking quick when I heard March Of The Fire Ants off the Headbangers compilation. I fucking burned all my Staind, Limp Bizkit, and Korn cd’s afterwards. Come to think of it, I’d kick my High School self square in the nuts for being such a retarded pussy.
Thank you, Mastodon
Don’t worry, we all would, too.
I seen Mastodon while they were touring before Leviathan came out.
I hadn’t really heard about them at the time, but a couple friends in a band knew told me
“Do not miss their set”.
I didn’t, my mind was blown.
Best band to come out of the south PERIOD. And yes I know about Death, Exhorder, Cynic, Atheist, and Pantera. I stand by that statement.
http://www.vans.com/mastodon/
That is all.
Fucking sick. I can’t wait.
So this one seems to please some more then others.
This is the album that I first found Mastodon. Although I got it back then. This album never struck me as amazing or great. I felt like they were missing stuff. It has almost a grunge sound to it. They had yet to find their stride. Find the melody and when “not to play”. They found it.
I hope this doesn’t lead to all 4 Mastodon albums being on this list. Cause I love this band but getting all 4 albums on this list would be crazy.
And for those who think they lost the “metals in theirs sounds”. Eat the same sandwich everyday for every meal for 6 years and tell me how you feel.
I’d say the odds of all 4 being on the list are pretty high. I’m willing to bet at least 3 will be on here.
That’s too bad if all 4 are on the list. Cause the last 9 Years there has been some really good Metal Albums. So many that you barely have to repeat a band to get 21.
if ANY band deserves four albums on this list, Mastodon is it. for my money they’re the only metal band who are even close to giving the Metallica first four and the Death final four a run for their money. one more five-star disc and they WILL have the best stretch of albums from a metal band ever. Then again, their career is very creepily echoing Metallica’s to the point where i bet the next album will be NOT proggy AND radio friendly enough to jump their careershark… but then in a few years they’ll play 3 hour sets and bring songs from Remission back into the set, so it may be a good thing.
that said, i don’t think Crack the Skye has had the kind of impact needed to make this list yet. all of the albums so far have been wave-makers… that’s about all they share in common outside of the loose brotherhood of the genre.
I would argue that Opeth have the longest running stretch of albums that are mind blowing and not sucking.
they still play the good shit off remission when they headline
I have to agree Opeth has not put a a bad album to date
Tool has not put out a bad album, but they also only have four CD’s out, and they have been around twice as long as Mastodon.
I really thought this would be higher, seeing them live with this album was incredible. I never realized how good they were until that moment.
Finally, a good choice
Was just laughing my ass off there.
This list’s credibility has ended, Mastodon, really? Some band that has done nothing, shaped nothing, existed for fewer years than Disturbed, those you hate so passionately, and they’re sporting the 19th greatest metal album of all time? For what reason? ‘Cause they’re just that hip?
This list is going to be infamous for its horrible choices, that is now my prediction.
Actually the greatest metal album of the last 9 years, try reading the banner title.
The list is not “greatest albums of all time.”
Eligible albums were released between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2009.
I’m sure you’ll say, “Oh. Still, though. Mastodon sucks.” So go ahead. It’s okay. It’s just a list. Go make your own.
Mastodon is the worst band ever. Anyone with any musical integrity whatsoever knows this!
This was the first metal album I ever loved. I listen to metal before this, but this record it what made it my ‘favorite’ genre to listen to.
If this was your first metal album, you are gay. Period. Go listen to pop music because metal is obviously not your fortay. Fag.
You have to start somewhere.
Finally a decent album in the list. Top 21 of the new century? No, maybe top 100. Maybe.
How are they still not a great band? The new album is fantastic! Yes the old albums are good, but I think that they are all good and have definitely not gotten worse after this one.
They are not a great band because they suck. Horrible songwriting, shitty sound, and the fact that they are gay all contributes to thier immense gayness….and yours….fag.
I don’t think they’ll ever be able to top the brilliant fury of this album. I don’t know why some people put this in the “metalhead-in-training” category. I think it’s just because they’re popular. But I know better than to judge a band by their status and who their fans are. When I heard this album for the first time I was already very familiar with all sorts of extreme black, death, grind, etc. and it still blew me away more than any extreme metal record I’d ever heard. After hearing countless bands follow certain formulaic ideas of what’s “heavy” or “brutal”, this album was extremely refreshing. No one has ever made an album that sounds even remotely like this. On their later releases, which are still very good IMO, you can start to hear the Neurosis, Melvins, and Tool influences a lot more, but Remission was one hundred percent pure Mastodon. There’s so much nuance to the riffs, yet they still batter you over the head. And I honestly believe that Brann Dailor’s drum performance on this album is the best of all time. On later albums, he’s still impressive, but the drumming on this album is just fucking breathtaking. I don’t know what kind of metalhead can’t appreciate the sheer battery of this album, to me it represents everything great about metal. Mastodon never would have been able to experiment as wildly as they have in the public eye without coming out of the gates with this massive beast of an album.
I’m not just some angry Mastodon fan sticking up for them, I’m a massive metalhead with wide-ranging taste who truly believes that this is one of the best metal releases to come out in a long time, one that will stand the test of time.
AWESOME album but i like Leviathan better