Mastodon... Why am I not getting these guys ????

[espquade]

So I picked up a few Mastodon cd's as recommended to me namely Leviathan , Blood Mountain , and Oblivion .

I have listened several times to these and although I think that they are very talented musicians I am still really having a hard time getting into their music .

I think part of it may be the overall low Fi recording quality , but at the same time I am just not digging it . I really wanted too because of all the praise I have heard .

What am I missing , not getting .. ETC or do you feel the same as me ???



I guess I really am stuck in the 80's

 

[rupe]

I'm in the exact same boat...my bass player has been trying to get me into them and I just don't dig the tunes. It doesn't help that I saw them open for Maiden a few years ago and they were awful.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I don't think it's about being stuck in the 80's. There's plenty of new stuff i like but i also don't really dig Mastadon. The vocals blow first off, even when they're not screaming or growling. Their songs are all over the place and lack hooks IMHO. I guess i just don't like what they consider good music because i listened to Crack The Sky a bunch of times and it didn't do anything for me. Take a band like Opeth for example. After 1 listen of Ghost Or Perdition i knew they were awesome.

 

[glassjaw7]

I don't think it's about being stuck in the 80's. There's plenty of new stuff i like but i also don't really dig Mastadon. The vocals blow first off, even when they're not screaming or growling. Their songs are all over the place and lack hooks IMHO. I guess i just don't like what they consider good music because i listened to Crack The Sky a bunch of times and it didn't do anything for me. Take a band like Opeth for example. After 1 listen of Ghost Or Perdition i knew they were awesome.

I agree. Lots of good bands out there currently, but I too cannot get into Mastodon. The singer is awful! Some of the music is interesting and cool, but the vocals just ruin it for me. They do have awesome album covers though!

And good call on Ghost of Perdition. F'n rocks!!!

 

[espquade]

I don't think it's about being stuck in the 80's. There's plenty of new stuff i like but i also don't really dig Mastadon. The vocals blow first off, even when they're not screaming or growling. Their songs are all over the place and lack hooks IMHO. I guess i just don't like what they consider good music because i listened to Crack The Sky a bunch of times and it didn't do anything for me. Take a band like Opeth for example. After 1 listen of Ghost Or Perdition i knew they were awesome.

Well, their are plenty of newer bands that I really dig Evergray , Nevermore , and even Stone Sour , Alter Bridge to name a few , but you nailed it about the lack of hooks in Mastodon's music maybe that's it

 

[Doubleneck]

I agree my drummer is always trying to get me to learn one of there songs and it just gives me a headache.

 

[halford]

im with you's

not a fan.

few of the more straight ahead songs i like (blood and thunder etc)

BUT in saying that, i think they are great for what they do and seem to have done very well and they rock out !!!

seen them a few time's at European festivals... HORRIABLE sound (where other bands were clear as crystal) just a big mush is what i experianced!

 

[ejecta]

I don't think it's about being stuck in the 80's. There's plenty of new stuff i like but i also don't really dig Mastadon. The vocals blow first off, even when they're not screaming or growling. Their songs are all over the place and lack hooks IMHO. I guess i just don't like what they consider good music because i listened to Crack The Sky a bunch of times and it didn't do anything for me. Take a band like Opeth for example. After 1 listen of Ghost Or Perdition i knew they were awesome.

You think Mastadon's vocals blow but these are good? Personally I can only take the growl thing in doses. But honestly I dont see much difference. I don't really care for either of these bands but to each his own.

 

[Jimmie]

 

[glpg80]

heard a few songs by them and im not a fan. - i dont bother seeking them out at all. i much prefer behemoth over them.

 

[halford]

Their songs are all over the place and lack hooks IMHO

this is why i dont like them also. But thats the style they going for?

 

[JakeAC5253]

 

[Ultron]

Maybe it's their righteous beards?

I hated Blood Mountain, but really like Crack the Sky. Some killer riffs on that cd. One of the last tracks, a long one, has a glorious groove riff at @ the 8:20 mark. I'll dig up the track name and exact time later.

 

[glassjaw7]

You think Mastadon's vocals blow but these are good?

Dude, Mikael from Opeth can sing like a motherfucker! I understand if you don't like the death growling stuff, but that is one side of his voice. Ever hear his clean singing voice? It's crystal clear and amazingly good. Can't say the same for Mastodon guy.

 

[fek]

I think Crack The Skye is a great disc. It took a couple listens but it stuck hard after that. I am not a big fan of the rest of their tunes though.

 

[Rocket Sauce]

I'm also in the "don't get what's so great about them" boat. I've tried like others posted above, but there just isn't anything in it for ME.

I've also seen them live....and didn't really care (especially considering that it was part of a festival). This was before they were everyone's favorite band.

Lastly, I'm glad it's out there. I'd rather have this to not like than KE$HA, Black Eyed Peas etc. It may not be the best sounding (imho), but at least it's real. And I can support that!!!

 

[JakeAC5253]

I am a Mastodon fan, I listen for the guitars. No lack of pretty vocals or pop format is going to keep me from listening to well composed music. It's not pop so it doesn't follow the standard verse-chorus-verse pop format. It's called Progressive Metal. All of their albums follow a trend or single musical idea (progressive)

Remission - Fire
Blood Mountain - Earth
Leviathan - Water
Crack the Skye - Air

Blood Mountain and Leviathan are masterpieces of heavy metal, my personal favorites. Not to mention the awesome guitar tone and riffage found on these albums. I like their older stuff better. Maybe their singing isn't the most lyrical or discernible, but look up the lyrics to 'Blood and Thunder' or 'The Wolf is Loose' and think about this. Are they getting the point across?

 

[Moshaholic]

So I picked up a few Mastodon cd's as recommended to me namely Leviathan , Blood Mountain , and Oblivion .

I have listened several times to these and although I think that they are very talented musicians I am still really having a hard time getting into their music .

I think part of it may be the overall low Fi recording quality , but at the same time I am just not digging it . I really wanted too because of all the praise I have heard .

What am I missing , not getting .. ETC or do you feel the same as me ???



I guess I really am stuck in the 80's

Don't feel bad I'm not a "Massiveschlong" fan either...

G.

 

[Jimmie]

I think their simplicity is what appeals to Mastodon fans, how many 64th note tripplet charged songs coming at you at 160bpm can a person listen to, enjoyably?

Some of their hooks remind me of old sabbath, especially Masters of Reality. Mastodon creates a good mix of contrast for my tired old ass I guess.

 

[Motorpud]

You think Mastadon's vocals blow but these are good?

Dude, Mikael from Opeth can sing like a motherfucker! I understand if you don't like the death growling stuff, but that is one side of his voice. Ever hear his clean singing voice? It's crystal clear and amazingly good. Can't say the same for Mastodon guy.

Mastodon is something I just can't get into. I got playfully bashed a little bit by some of the guys here when I went to the AIC show and just skipped Mastodon (they were opening) to drink booze in the parking lot Opeth on the other hand is a great band that has multiple styles and Aekerfeldt is IMO one of the most underrated guitarists out there