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RIGHT NOW: STREAM MASTODON’S THE HUNTER

 Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 at 10:00am by

Yep. Here it is:

As of this writing, I’ve only had a chance to listen The Hunter all the way through once, but here are my initial impressions (and it’s worth noting that, as always, I am speaking for myself and only myself, and not anyone else at MetalSucks):

  • It’s damn good.
  • It’s not as good as Crack the Skye.
  • The band isn’t gonna be able to pull these vocals off live.
  • It’s still damn good.

Maybe I’ll say more after I’ve had a chance to listen to and digest the record a few more times — that’s just my gut instinct speaking.

Listen here, then weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments section below.

The Hunter officially comes out next Tuesday, September 27, on Reprise/Warner Bros.

-AR

[via Mastodon's official website]

Tags: ,
  • Bread

    FUCKING HELL I WAS ABOUT TO GO TO BED

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002131340820 Pat Arriola

      At 10:00 AM? What time zone are you in?

      • Bread

        Australia, whatever time zone that it.

        Its 11:30 now and i posted that 23 hours ago if it helps.

  • Sean

    I’ll agree, it’s damn good.  I’ll need to listen to it a few more times before I can compare it to Crack the Skye tho.  Only one track on there gave me a wtf, which is Creature Lives, not sure what they were going for on that one but it has earned an automatic skip on subsequent play thrus.  The rest of the tracks are solid.

  • Harvester of Comments

    7 a.m. PST = 11 a.m. EDT. So we have to wait an hour.

  • adam

    After I initially heard Curl of the Burl, I was afraid this album was gonna be a huge flop. I listened to the whole album last night and came out thinking the album is awesome! It basically sounds like their last 3 albums combined, which is sweet. Blasteroid, Stargasm and The Sparrow are my faves…8.5/10

  • Crowan83

    It’s really excellent so far. I thought it had said PM yesterday so I was going to be itching to hear this all day. Low and Behold – MASTODON!

    Here’s a direct link to the youtube video that’s linked on their site: Features all 54 Minutes of the album.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffWVlG8rK9k&feature=player_embedded

    • Harvester of Comments

      Thank you!

  • http://www.facebook.com/FlannelBastard Dylan Jones

    FUCK YOU, I’ve been trying to hold off until I just get the album in the mail, but you make it soooooooo hard!!!!
    I’m gonna hold off as long as I can, but now it’s inevitable I will hear the album before I actually get it.

  • Anonymous

    Sounds like they had a baby w/ torche

    • Matthew Grant Anson

      Insult to Torche.

    • Matthew Grant Anson

      Insult to Torche.

    • Matthew Grant Anson

      Insult to Torche.

    • http://twitter.com/IshmaelTheApe King Ishmael

      I thought the same thing. There’s a lot of riffs in The Hunter that sound straight from Meanderthal. I suppose any sort of “poppy” (for lack of a better term) sludge would sound like Torche though; it is their sound

    • Guest

      Huh?

  • chris

    Mastodon’s Load album.

    • Metalguy

      Black Album would be more appropriate.

      I’m stil undecided on my opinion

      • http://www.facebook.com/mike.reagan Mike Reagan

        Definitely Mastodon’s black album

      • McThulhu

        One major diffference between mastodon and metallica is that mastodons drummer is about a billion times more competent.

      • Guest

        I agree Metalguy… but the people loving this album baffle me exactly they way those that loved The Black album did back in the early 90′s.

        The feeling as I listened to the premiere of Curl The Burl was exactly how I felt when I heard the video premiere of Enter Sandman. I was astonished, confused, and let down hard.

        After Black Tongue which I thought was good Mastodon, not great Mastodon, I heard Curl the Burl and thought “maybe that’s just that one track to gain a little playime favor”…  that the execs bent their arm to do… I wish that was the case. The album is an abomination, those that say contrary are most likely under 20, previously into screamo and probably got into them on the 2nd leg of Crack The Skye.

        Other bands do this, not Mastodon. You don’t write EPIC Leviathan, Blood Mountain and Crack The Skye, then release this sell out filler bullshit and recover I’m afraid.

        Mastodon went from the easily the most EPIC band in metal to not a player with this one… at least in my book.

        They’ll probably sell more tickets this time around though.

        After hearing Brent and Brann bragging how they just whipped this together in no time a few months ago… I did pause. How they going to top Crack The Skye in such a way.

        After the Brent Hinds Project, I thought to myself… this guy can do no wrong, he’s the most versatile guitarist out there besides John 5.

        Maybe Brent needs to sit on the couch.

    • Metalwolf

      Load is awesome. Mastodon is awesome. This album is awesome.  What’s your point.

      • Wowwee!!

        Load sucks

    • 5 finger fruit punch

      Why does everything always come down to a Metallica comparison? Soooo many people hate Metallica now, fine, it’s an opinion. But is all they can think about how any new album compares or fits into Metallica’s discography? It happens constantly. Can we switch it up once in a while?

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Brendan-Campbell/509816034 Brendan Campbell

        This album is like Mastodon’s Crack the Skye

      • Guest

        Because Metallica is the ultimate and perfect example to what he’s saying. If you were a Metallica fan from Day 1, The Black album marked a sharp turning point in their direction. If you got into them anytime after Puppets, your opinion as to whether current Metallica is worth a damn or not is irrelevant.

    • nerd destroyer

      mastodon gets better with every album, metallica gets worse. 

      • Guest

        No, they USED TO… Metallica got better and better until Black Album… I doubt Mastodon will recover with their hard core fan base.

    • nerd destroyer

      mastodon gets better with every album, metallica gets worse. 

  • chris

    Album was mediocre.  Everyone needs to get out from between the legs of Brent Hinds, and maybe you can hear the record.  The vocals are atrocious.  The only vocals worth listening to are from Scott Kelly.  Lyrics=crap.  Do away with the vocals, and it’s an album worth listening to.

  • Matthew Grant Anson

    I don’t like it. I had to listen to Remission right after just to wash it out of my mind. 

    • dont panic

      inb4 OMG elitist I-liked-them-before-they-were-popular douchebag comments

      • Krang

        All he said was he didn’t like it and that he went and listened to his favorite album by them after. Dumbshit.

      • Ninja Bike

        To me, every band is a sell out as soon as they step into the studio. Mastodon sold out yeas ago back in the early 2000s.

        • Krang

          That’s really the way people should look at it, who knows why a band does certain things. People change (usually), so will the music that comes out of them.

        • Anonymous

          lol fuck money

      • Matthew Grant Anson

        Actually no, I thought Crack the Skye was great and the two albums before it were equally good. Not enjoying Mastodon-lite and instead opting for their most raw offering doesn’t make me an I-liked-them-before-they-were-popular douchebag.

      • Matthew Grant Anson

        Actually no, I thought Crack the Skye was great and the two albums before it were equally good. Not enjoying Mastodon-lite and instead opting for their most raw offering doesn’t make me an I-liked-them-before-they-were-popular douchebag.

        • metal-is-gay

          So in other words you are just a butt hurt little bitch.

  • Chimp-0-Neg

    It’s ok, but not jawdropping. Best vocals are Brann Dailors (I think that’s him anyway) on Dry Bone Valley. To me it sounds like they sat down and thought: people think we’re getting bloated and too proggy. Lets write some catchy tunes. And listen, they succeeded. I just think it sounds a little flat, and forced, unlike the other  ”70s rock” album of the moment, Heritage which actually sounds inspired. I’m all for them taking on a new direction, but it seems that they did the heavier stuff with a bit more guts and soul than they’ve taken on Zeppelin inspired 70’s hard rock. But it’s still fucking Mastodon. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/FlannelBastard Dylan Jones

      Opeth’s Heritage was one of the blandest things I’ve ever listened too.  That was a huge fucking disappointment.  Mastodon, not so much.  Probably in contending for AOTY.

      • Nigbot

        Heritage was shit compared to this.

        • Chimp-0-Neg

          not everyone liked Heritage, but I thought it was pretty interesting. It’s not the best  Opeth album ever, but it is in keeping with what Mikael Akerfeldt is about. This Hunter album is disappointing though, because it’s basically got no balls. And a Mastodon  record needs fucking balls. (an Opeth album doesn’t so much).

          • Nigbot

            Mikael’s ego has gotten out of control and heritage shows it. I expected way more than the finished product. Yeah opeth are amazing and all that but it just felt so messy and unfocused. Like a kid who wanted to put as much random 70′s sounding music on tape as possible.

          • Nigbot

            Mikael’s ego has gotten out of control and heritage shows it. I expected way more than the finished product. Yeah opeth are amazing and all that but it just felt so messy and unfocused. Like a kid who wanted to put as much random 70′s sounding music on tape as possible.

  • dont panic

    Mastodons of the Stone Age. Just get Homme in the band and get it over with already.

    • Guest

      That’s another great analogy. 

    • Racevez

      every queesn of the stone age album is better than this crap

  • McThulhu

    Music aside for a sec…..was that a dramatic zoom on tree bark??? They should play this on pbs.

    Loving it, but I think it’ll be their permanent waves or moving pictures or something……or yes, load if you are a glass half emptyah kinda person.

    • McThulhu

      Wow. Great fucking set of tunes. Creature lives is baroness worship. Jesu should remix it.

  • Nowak

    12:20… Looks like a butt.
    And the album is awesome so far, as expected.

  • http://twitter.com/Meemperor Matt P

    It’s pretty sweet in the background at work. But I’d get pretty bored if I was JUST listening to this album. 

  • Velocirapist

    This album whips the piss out of Crack the Skye

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Corey-Mitchell/660352330 Corey Mitchell

    This new Ozzy record’s not half bad.

  • Bishopinblack

    this is good, but i think they are capable of more (crack the skye). 

  • Joebroni

    Trippier and heavier than CTS, love it.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jay-Johnson/100001321441701 Jay Johnson

      When does it get trippy? I’ve been listening to this for like 10 minutes!

  • http://www.ppsmil.com power point

    today is the day had the better buttrock record

  • Kuranes

    I’m not a huge enough Mastodon fan to get upset about a change in direction or whatever.  I think this sounds good.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tim-Shanks/1273561133 Tim Shanks

    I never expected anything like “Creature Lives” from this band, but it’s fucking awesome.

  • Habib

    I’ve listened through it 4 times and it’s a very good album. I don’t give a rats ass if they change, they keep making good records. I’m happy I have a wide range of musical taste, makes life a lot more enjoyable.

  • Anonymous

    I’m going to completely agree with Axl. I love it, but I hope it sounds more cohesive the more I listen to it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=9391234 Ryan Sean Heron

    remission sucks. this is awesome

    • Jonas_nilsson

       Trolling the night away

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jay-Johnson/100001321441701 Jay Johnson

        What’s not to like about Remission???

  • Anonymous

    Not bad! better than  I expected, still not something I envision spending a lot of time with. This was a pretty classy/cool way to present a new album. Bonus points for that

  • crank

    I am a huge Mastodon fan, but just good does not cut it for them. It feels technically good, but overall like they are bored with the band. I think it’s the side project curse.

    • Anonymous

      I lowered my expectations as soon as we got word that they were going with a different producer. Still don’t understand that decision, given how successful CtS was.

      • crank

        I am hoping they were all hungover for this.
         

  • 5 finger fruit punch

    On first listen, I really like it. I took me a few listens to really like any of Mastodons other albums, but now I love all of said albums. Does this mean something?

    • Anonymous

      My friend and I were talking about this the other day. It seems like the songs that take a few listens to get into last longer than the ones you like right off the bat. I don’t know that this album has the longevity of their other albums.

    • Anonymous

      My friend and I were talking about this the other day. It seems like the songs that take a few listens to get into last longer than the ones you like right off the bat. I don’t know that this album has the longevity of their other albums.

    • Anonymous

      My friend and I were talking about this the other day. It seems like the songs that take a few listens to get into last longer than the ones you like right off the bat. I don’t know that this album has the longevity of their other albums.

  • cocksucker

    I have mixed feelings about this one. Seems they picked all the songs that didn’t fit on previous albums, and just put them together, mixed some up, added some stuff and called it a day. B-side album is more what I’d call it.

  • Aaron

    The first time I listened through, I thought the first half was Very very strong, and the second half was meh. But after listening a few times I think the whole thing is very strong. I’m glad I started listening to Mastodon around the time Crack the Skye was coming out because I feel like I have an easier time accepting them doing whatever the fuck they want on albums and not comparing every one to Remission. 

    Catchy as fuck, great vocals (which, given they won’t pull off live), and THE RIFFS. Great album. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jay-Johnson/100001321441701 Jay Johnson

      Where are the riffs?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1444803323 Alex Johnston

    The Beatles by way of Mastodon

  • James Crowder

    I discovered Mastodon about a year ago. I listened to every one of their albums like 5 times each that week. I felt like skipping some of the tracks on this album. It’s OK, but very disappointing. It has several great tracks, some decent tracks, some boring tracks, and some bad tracks.

  • Anonymous

    I agree with Axl. It’s not an epic masterpiece like Crack the Skye. It’s more like a buffet with a bunch of different flavors. Blasteroid, Stargasm, and Octopus is an amazing trio.

    Personally, I’d prefer another album like CtS that takes you on a journey. But this is the best new release I’ve heard in a while.

  • RickFunksMetal

    This album is solid! On the other hand most of you people on here severely disappoint me with your naive ignorance.

  • RickFunksMetal

    This album is solid! On the other hand most of you people on here severely disappoint me with your naive ignorance.

  • RickFunksMetal

    This album is solid! On the other hand most of you people on here severely disappoint me with your naive ignorance.

  • RandomSoul

    Too much emphasis on vocals. they should have went into the studio and and said lets just make some bad ass lumberjack metal and who gives a fuck what the vocals sound like.
    IMO

  • RandomSoul

    Too much emphasis on vocals. they should have went into the studio and and said lets just make some bad ass lumberjack metal and who gives a fuck what the vocals sound like.
    IMO

  • RandomSoul

    Too much emphasis on vocals. they should have went into the studio and and said lets just make some bad ass lumberjack metal and who gives a fuck what the vocals sound like.
    IMO

  • Misc3tuff

    Damn it!!! too many new albums streaming at this moment. don’t know where to start.

    • RandomSoul

      Start with textures!

    • RandomSoul

      Start with textures!

    • RandomSoul

      Start with textures!

  • Misc3tuff

    Damn it!!! too many new albums streaming at this moment. don’t know where to start.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.delarosa Jonathan Delarosa

    Damn, I sent an email earlier thinking that this wasn’t up. This is what happens when you’re tired.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.delarosa Jonathan Delarosa

    Damn, I sent an email earlier thinking that this wasn’t up. This is what happens when you’re tired.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.delarosa Jonathan Delarosa

    Damn, I sent an email earlier thinking that this wasn’t up. This is what happens when you’re tired.

  • Enemyofgod72

    Nope not as good as Crack the Skye but also not the same kind of album. To me “Crack” was like Pink Floyd’s The Wall where this is more Darkside of the Moon. One is a rock opera of sorts and the other is just a bunch of really good songs. A little over-produced since I can’t imagine Hinds sounding so good live much as with “Crack” but still yet another brilliant album from the Atlanta quartet. Nice homage to Yes on “Creature Lives”, it sounded like it was pulled directly off one of their albums except for the fact that I never much cared for Yes. Mastodon is slowly becoming heavy metal’s Pink Floyd.

  • Enemyofgod72

    Nope not as good as Crack the Skye but also not the same kind of album. To me “Crack” was like Pink Floyd’s The Wall where this is more Darkside of the Moon. One is a rock opera of sorts and the other is just a bunch of really good songs. A little over-produced since I can’t imagine Hinds sounding so good live much as with “Crack” but still yet another brilliant album from the Atlanta quartet. Nice homage to Yes on “Creature Lives”, it sounded like it was pulled directly off one of their albums except for the fact that I never much cared for Yes. Mastodon is slowly becoming heavy metal’s Pink Floyd.

  • Enemyofgod72

    Nope not as good as Crack the Skye but also not the same kind of album. To me “Crack” was like Pink Floyd’s The Wall where this is more Darkside of the Moon. One is a rock opera of sorts and the other is just a bunch of really good songs. A little over-produced since I can’t imagine Hinds sounding so good live much as with “Crack” but still yet another brilliant album from the Atlanta quartet. Nice homage to Yes on “Creature Lives”, it sounded like it was pulled directly off one of their albums except for the fact that I never much cared for Yes. Mastodon is slowly becoming heavy metal’s Pink Floyd.

  • scintilla

    Loving it so far…epic and catchy.

  • scintilla

    Loving it so far…epic and catchy.

  • scintilla

    Loving it so far…epic and catchy.

  • YESMAN!!

    I think that it’s pretty enjoyable, but the riffs just don’t seem as good as they used too. Too much emphasis on vocals for me as well.

  • YESMAN!!

    I think that it’s pretty enjoyable, but the riffs just don’t seem as good as they used too. Too much emphasis on vocals for me as well.

  • YESMAN!!

    I think that it’s pretty enjoyable, but the riffs just don’t seem as good as they used too. Too much emphasis on vocals for me as well.

  • Kyle

    I dig it. However, the jury will be out for a while as to where this ranks in comparison to their other albums, but, on first listen, I think it has great potential. Though, the vocals are thin and slightly tinny just like they were on Crack the Skye.

  • Kyle

    I dig it. However, the jury will be out for a while as to where this ranks in comparison to their other albums, but, on first listen, I think it has great potential. Though, the vocals are thin and slightly tinny just like they were on Crack the Skye.

  • http://www.facebook.com/AlexStebb Alex Tfd Stebbing

    WTF you elitest dipshits. Every mastodon release has been fucking awesome in each of its own ways. The Hunter is possibly one of the better records I have heard this year, and it is a fucking brilliant album.

    • Cockpony

      Your jets, cool ‘em.

    • Racevez

      no its not it sucks.

  • http://www.facebook.com/AlexStebb Alex Tfd Stebbing

    WTF you elitest dipshits. Every mastodon release has been fucking awesome in each of its own ways. The Hunter is possibly one of the better records I have heard this year, and it is a fucking brilliant album.

  • John Dillinger

    Not as bad as the Jonah Hex soundtrack they did.

  • John Dillinger

    Not as bad as the Jonah Hex soundtrack they did.

  • SourDeez

    Funny to see how different all these comments are….everyone from the Beatles and Pink Floyd to Yes and Rush have been mentioned…some loves, some hates, some ambivalence. I personally love that I can listen to this and to Remission and be amazed that they both come from the same band. Also, Brent Hinds and Brann Dailor really kick ass here.

  • SourDeez

    Funny to see how different all these comments are….everyone from the Beatles and Pink Floyd to Yes and Rush have been mentioned…some loves, some hates, some ambivalence. I personally love that I can listen to this and to Remission and be amazed that they both come from the same band. Also, Brent Hinds and Brann Dailor really kick ass here.

  • Nyarl

    This album is a huge turd. 

  • Nyarl

    This album is a huge turd. 

  • http://satanicpowerpop.tumblr.com Isaac

    I’m two tracks in and I think it’s far superior to Crack the Skye already. That was kind of a pseudo-progressive clusterfuck, and this is a lot better organized, though I still think it’s fairly sub-par overall.

  • http://satanicpowerpop.tumblr.com Isaac

    I’m two tracks in and I think it’s far superior to Crack the Skye already. That was kind of a pseudo-progressive clusterfuck, and this is a lot better organized, though I still think it’s fairly sub-par overall.

  • Kazz

    Ahh! It’s something different from Mastodon again. I’m shocked!

    But I’m not shocked that it’s awesome.

  • Kazz

    Ahh! It’s something different from Mastodon again. I’m shocked!

    But I’m not shocked that it’s awesome.

  • steelhorseclub

    There seems to be more singing by Troy on this album. Which means that they might be able to handle it live.

  • Frank

    Is the first line in Curl the Burl “I killed a man because he killed my goat”? If so, wtf??

    • McThulhu

      yes it is. im thinking, feudal irish times, farmer might kill a man for trespassing and harming livestock. what if he stuck his dick in the goat?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Nachtigall-Jr/1605709087 Bill Nachtigall Jr

    First couple times through I was unsure about it.  About the 4th time through it clicked, great piece of work.  They never seem to disappoint.

    Fuck the trolls that think they should remake Remissions over and over again.  

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Nachtigall-Jr/1605709087 Bill Nachtigall Jr

    First couple times through I was unsure about it.  About the 4th time through it clicked, great piece of work.  They never seem to disappoint.

    Fuck the trolls that think they should remake Remissions over and over again.  

  • http://twitter.com/orbsonb Ben Robson

    listened to three tracks so far. really liking it.

  • http://twitter.com/orbsonb Ben Robson

    listened to three tracks so far. really liking it.

  • Dave6

    Just listened to the whole thing, I think its AWESOME

  • Commander Worf

    I’d say it’s a pretty uneven effort overall. Some good songs, some pretty crappy. Also, Mastodon would be a lot better if Scott Kelly handled all the vocals.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Zane-Blunt/548590952 Zane Blunt

    I am digging this far more than past Mastodon albums. I don’t know if anyone else is getting this epic Pink Floyd vibe from a few of the softer tracks, but I am loving this shit. 

    Then again I get an insta-boner whenever Pink Floyd are even mentioned. The Sparrow and Creature Lives are amazing!

    • ilikepenis

      I’m loving the trippy Pink Floyd/ king crimson vibe this album has. I guess some people are just butt hurt and want the more sludgy mastodon.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1444803323 Alex Johnston

    It’s not Mastodon’s black album, it’s Mastodon’s “Heritage”

  • Lybrium

    First two aren’t great, i’m starting to like it at Blasteroid

  • opeth883

    Fuck yeah I’m buying this and the new machine album both fucking rule.

  • Guest

    How the mighty have fallen… ironically, probably right up the charts too.

  • ContraBran

    Having one of Dr. Dre’s producers working on the album should have been a red flag.

  • Douchehole99

    just got the cd…ill rate it like this…..
    blood mountain- godlike
    crack the skye- as close to god-liness as one can get
    the hunter- wtf where you guys thinking?