UMUR
"Demo 2001" is the second demo recording by US metal act Mastodon. The demo was independently released in 2001. This is the first Mastodon recording which doesn´t feature original lead vocalist Eric Saner, who left Mastodon after only a few shows supporting the release of the band´s first demo recording "9 Song Demo" from 2000. The three studio tracks featured on this demo were all also featured on the "9 Song Demo", but these versions feature re-recorded vocals by guitarist Brent Hinds and bassist Troy Sanders, replacing the original vocal tracks which were recorded by Saner. This particular version of "Call of the Mastodon" would later be released as part of the "Call of the Mastodon" (2006) compilation album. The demo also features a live recording of "Welcoming War", which is a pretty rough live recording.
Of the early Mastodon recordings this one is probably the least interesting, as Mastodon would release both the "Slick Leg" and the "Lifesblood" EPs later the same year, which give you a better representation of the formative years of the band. Even the "9 Song Demo" is a much more interesting release. When that is said, there is still enough quality here to warrant a 3 star (60%) rating.
