MASTODON — Leviathan (review)

Album · 2004 · Sludge Metal

4.5/5 · 2018-02-26
ProgMetaller2112

On 2004's Leviathan (the 2nd album from Atlanta's Mastodon), the guys in the band decided that they wanted to take things a little further than they did on their previous effort(2002's Remission). On this, they had a win or go home kind of attitude. An attitude of wanting to go all out on the project. They wanted to reach out for that extra umph(inspiration) and do something that was a bit out there (with the whole Moby Dick and out at sea theme) and if you ask me, they executed it very, very well. Leviathan continued "the progression" that I talked about on the last review and will continue to talk about on subsequent releases. On this album, we see a band that still has plenty of those aforementioned musical chops to offer but we also see a band that wanted to throw in a little more than usual from the metal band. Let's how I feel about each individual track shall eh??

1) Blood an Thunder - Just like Crusher Destroyer from Remission this album opens up with a brutal, crushing piece of metal music but this song took things even further. Classic Mastodon. Even more badass than the previous album's opener. 10/10

2) I Am Ahab - A classic metal track in my opinion. It is absolutely jaw dropping. Wow. 10/10

3) Seabeast - Classic, classic old school Mastodon. Listen to those closing riffs. Wow just wow. 10/10

4) Island - Another great track but it is not nearly as captivating as the first three tracks on the album. Not a bad track at all though. It keeps with the album's theme. 8/10

5) Iron Tusk - A great and heavy track. I love how it just kicks ass. Everything from the vocals, the drums, the guitars. The band knows that it does too. It's all about the music on this one ha. It's grade A Mastodon. 10/10

6) Megalodon - This one is just insanity. Classic Mastodon in my opinion. Just listen to them go bonkers towards the ending, haha. 10/10

7) Naked Burn - A decent track but as of the first 7 tracks it is my least favorite. Something is missing here for some reason and I don't know what it is. It's not bad though. 7/10

8) Aqua Dementia - It's an intense piece of music and I like it. I give plenty of credit to it but for some reason it's not nearly as good as other songs on the album. It kind of loses footing. Don't get me wrong it is a good track though. 8/10

9) Hearts Alive - Wow, oh my. What to say about this epic?? On this one here we have a very ominous and heavy masterpiece of metal music. Prett much everything about it is fantastic, from the arrangements, to the lyrics to the music. You feel like you are lost at sea and doomed. It's much more complicated, progressive in comparison to the rest of the album but that's what I love about it. This entire track is bone-chilling and exhilarating. Just like Trilobite from Remission it too can horrify a person to the core. It's really, really great. Probably my favorite track on the album. 10/10

10) Joseph Merrick - A different (that's what I love about this band's material at times haha, they can be all out metal but also something else at times) but haunting and mysterious track. A perfect ending to the album in my opinion. I loved it. 10/10

Just like on Remission the music on this album was also really, really good but some of it was also a bit harsh and frenetic for my tastes. However, it was done with much more taste and I found myself enjoying it even more. Also, even though there were not enough clean vocals from Troy or Brent on this one too at least they tried to sound more intelligible so I have to give them some credit and the album a higher rating on the whole. As I said on my last review for 2002's Remission even though I have no real issues with growling vocals I usually like my bands to have at least some kind of melody and harmony or catchy hook to their vocals and on this album there was more of that and it was more than a welcome listen. This is the album kept me interested in Mastodon's music(it was the 2nd album I got from them after 2011's The Hunter). I feel it was also steering them in the right direction. To some, it actually is their best work(I don't believe it is though, ha). Great and grandiose album that should be talked about for years to come. 4.5 solid stars!! Peace out!!!