The Strange History Of MASTODON (from death metal to the Grammys) 

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I live in Georgia and both of my bands practice at Mastodons studio Ember City in Atlanta, it's a really low-key building in West Atlanta industrial area, half of it is a rental rehearsal spot, and I've talked to these guys a handful of times. Incredibly cool guys and humble, they're all super involved in the scene here still. Big love for Mastodon.

Crack the Skye is easily one of the best Prog/Metal concept albums to exist. Every single song is so well done on every front

For me, Crack the Skye is a really special album. A once in a lifetime masterpiece sort of achievement.

I love how diverse their discography is. They have an album for every mood. I think they struck the perfect balance of prog and brutal on Blood Mountain, but I go back to all of their albums frequently. Brann’s drumming is genuinely masterful, delicious, crushing, and smooth simultaneously.

Emperor of Sand was my introduction to Mastodon. What a phenomenal album.

The Last Baron is long, but it's a masterpiece, every second of it is gold. One of my favorite Mastodon tracks,

The Hunter got waaay better with time. Aged like wine. Title track is mesmerizing.

The thing about Brann's drumming is that it's just SO entertaining to listen to.... He's one of those drummers where you can enjoy just focusing on his parts just as much as listening to the album as a whole..

I worked for Relapse when they put out Leviathan and then the Warner Bros buy out. The bonus check I got at Christmas was huge because of that album. We had to literally sit in a circle of boxes full of CD's and Vinyl over the weekends to fill preorders. Its insane the love they had before blowing up

Crack the Skye is still my favorite album by them, and personally the band just became another level once Brann started singing. His voice really puts it all together with how different it is from Brent's and Troy's. All 3 of them together though just make this perfect triangle of vocals.

Brann is one of the best drummers in metal without a doubt. The Hunter is the album that hook me in.

For me, Cold Dark Place is one of the best things they released. something about those 4 songs that just sounds perfect. Blue Walsh is one of my favourite tracks.

Also: the idea of Finn listening to a 90 minute double album is hilarious 😂

Mastodon has to be my favorite band to come out in the last 20 years. Their ability to release an album that just so happens to coincide with real life traumas that I am dealing with is uncanny.

I've been rocking with them since Leviathan, own their entire discography and have seen them live. One of my favorite bands over the course of the past 15 years.

Thanks so much for the shoutout!!! Great video. Mastodon is one of those bands that continues to put out fantastic music. Hushed and Grim took me a little while to warm up to, but now I really appreciate it.

I really loved Hushed & Grim, one of the saddest and most emotional albums I've ever heard...

Can’t believe you didn’t mention their appearance in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie. Legit one of the best things they’ve ever done.

I went to a local record store in mid to late 2000’s and bought Leviathan. In a week I was hunting for their releases. My favorite band of all time. Followed my Floyd, RUSH, and such. The music speaks to me. It’s musically brilliant. Stellar talents at each instrument. Composition is on point. Hard to pick favorite album.

Bill Kelliher is right up there with James Hetfield when it comes to all time great rhythm guitarists in metal.

They DEFINITELY deserve recognition for bringing disco structure to metal without fans realising. Over numerous albums, they use a repeating pattern that can be found on everything since Crack the Skye, it's very reminiscent of some patterns used by Benny & Bjorn. Not to mention the piratical lounge music vocals of Brent, they emulate Sinatra after being possessed!

I'm so happy to see you covering them. They have been with me since Remission and they have grown with me through the years. Every single time they release a new album, their lyrical content parallels where I'm at in my life at the moment. I bought "The Hunter" on my way to on Occupy rally and the opening track blasted someone for stealing the light and the purpose. When I was living in my Tahoe trying to make it in Colorado, they released "Once More 'Round the Sun" with bangers speaking to me like "The Motherload" telling me the universe has my back and that I can have whatever I want. They are hands down one of the greatest bands ever to me. Tattooed on my forearm are the lyrics to "The Sparrow" which are simply "Pursue happiness with diligence".

These guys are hardworking bad asses. I was super lucky enough to meet the band back in the early 2000s when they toured through Michigan multiple times to bring their music to the masses. They crushed it live and were super nice. They toured their asses off and worked hard for what they got.

Can't understand how anyone can hate Hushed and Grim. One if their best if not their BEST work so far IMO. Every single song is memorable and feels like it will be considered a 'classic' in 40 years time

Mastodon have never made a bad album. Maybe the latest one is a bit too long admittedly, but Mastodon is legendary. They’ve grown on me a lot through the years.

Blood Mountain is the album that got me into them. Was super weird for me at the time as I was like 14, but still my favorite album of theirs to this day.

The hunter is such an underrated record.

Seen them 7 times and will be seeing them an 8th time in May. One of the most underappreciated bands in music today

Leviathan and Brann's drumming is what drew me to Mastodon, Crack the Skye is still my favorite album of any band.

I toured with them twice with my old band Priestess, listen to both our albums and you can hear that at least Brann's drumming rubbed off on us haha. Magical lovely dudes they are

“Crack the Skye” is a near perfect album imho…..everything up to and through that album that they released is fantastic….post Crack the Skye is very hit or miss

My favorite band; I've seen them live 22 times (with the 23rd coming up in May). That being said, I don't think they've ever topped Leviathan, the closest thing to a perfect album I've ever heard.

These guys have not a single bad album, it’s just incredible considering also that they had no change in the lineup and still have new great ideas

Amazing band with an amazing career. Insane diverse sound and greats riffing all around, what’s not to love?

Great video ! I really like your “ the strange history of “ series. So informative! I’ve only listened to Leviathan so far but after watching this video I want to check out more of their songs!

Seeing them with Gojira and Lorna Shore. It's going to be incredible seeing 3 of my favorite drummers at once. We all know Gojira can rock a stage like no other so I'm hoping Mastadon dials it in as perfectly too!

I discovered Mastodon through March of the Fire Ants on Headbangers Ball in like '02 or '03. Leviathan is still in my top 10 metal albums of all time. Unfortunately I don't like their new stuff as well but am still going to see them and Gojira in April. Going to check out Lethargy now, I didn't know it existed until this video so thanks, Finn.

It is insane Brann is one of the best drummers doing this all while also being one of the main singers in the band. He has been getting more and more time in each album singing, and it gives me crazy Ozzy vibes each time.

This was a long time coming, but what a great tribute. I'm not at all surprised that it came from you, Finn. Thanks so much for posting.

Crack the skye blew my freaking mind. It's one of my top 10 albums and oblivion is one of my favorite songs. The album just kicks ass beginning to end.

Thanks for shedding light on Today Is The Day, such a criminally underrated band.

Awesome video, I really enjoy learning about these bands and where they have been. I'm looking forward to listening to some of their older stuff later this week.

Mastodon without question has to be my favorite band of all time and it's always cool to see I'm not the only person who loves them. I found Leviathan when I was in high school and that album, Crack the Skye and The Hunter got me through some pretty low points there and then in the first couple years of college. Not only that, but it was through Mastodon I found Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang, and all of the bands John from Baroness has done album art for. Seriously, you want a good collection of metal, just listen to any band that's gotten him to do their album art.

I wish you had mentioned that the Mastodon guys met at a High on Fire show, which is beyond cool imo bc they ended up touring w High on Fire as well as collaborating w HOF members. Love me some Mastodon + HOF! awesome video Finn!

I don't think Mastodon has ever made a bad record. Sure, fans have their favorites but each album is a work of art and represent a different period in the artists lives. They also stand out from the rest in their creativity and amazing musicality.

Thanks for this video, I love this band so much. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid when remission came out and it’s just so special to be able to listen to your favorite band evolve and move forward like they have in a positive way.

I got into them around blood mountain, but for me, mother puncher is still their best track. Such brutality and precision. Their newer stuff is still fantastic, toe to toes is a great track.

Mastodon are certified legends and imo have never put a foot wrong, this includes both the newest album and The Hunter, both incredible albums

I've been waiting on a Mastodon video from you for a while now! Wasn't disappointed. I can't wait to see them play in August!

Stoked to see you do this video! Mastodon is hands down my favorite band. I love their entire discography! A couple corrections (respectfully): They released “Call of the Mastodon” before “Remission” Brann is pronounced like the word “Brawn” 🙏😎

Discovered them about 10 years ago, and instantly fell in love with their sound.

Love Mastodon they are one of the greatest bands of the modern era and I will love them to the day I die

I'm an old fan of Mastodon. I think like most old fans, I checked after Crack the Skye... and yet, I will still go and see them live on the upcoming tour.

Great video! I got to spend time with the band on their first couple tours and they were really cool guys doing what they love. I think the key to their continued success (besides Brann just being uniquely mind blowing) is they've never stopped being those guys chasing their passion. They do what they want, love what they do, and it can be felt in their music. Good on them.

Their behind the scenes videos about the making of their albums are really cool insights into the band. Definitely one of the most musically wide ranging bands out there.

One of my favorite bands of all time. And I absolutely love that they change their sound & style on each new album. It always takes me a few listens to 'get it,' and that's what I love about them: it's never the same thing twice. And of course their musical chops are undeniable. Their riffs are undeniable (TY Bill K). Their dedication to pushing their own limits (which then pushes the listeners' as well) is undeniable.

Dude I've been wanting this for a looooong time! Cheers Finn!

I was working at a college radio station when I got to hear their first EP, "Lifesblood," which has since been re-released as "Call of the Mastodon." I first saw them live during Remission. I love the journey and evolution of the band. Definitely in my top 5 favorite bands.

This feels like another one of the videos where finn isn't a fan of the band but still is trying to do them justice. (I might be wrong on that, I don't know). Let's say he doesn't like mastodon, the fact that he is able to get past his personal opinion on it and be objective and state factual statements is respectable. Just as an example, if i was in finn's shoes and got punished by hordes of say... deftones fans, I would have just told them to fuck off. Instead, finn at least cares to toss them a bone to gnaw on so that they shut up. (not saying mastodon fans are like that, once again i don't know how they act. I have never interacted with them). Still, you're willing to go there and I respect the absolute shit out of you, man.

I’m not wild about Hushed and Grim, but the rest of their discography stands with anybody, IMO. They hit so many different styles with stride and fluidity. To me, Blood Mountain and Crack the Skye are absolute masterpieces. Even with some of their longer songs (as you mentioned), particularly like The Czar, they are so dynamic and musically sound, they don’t even feel like 10 minute songs. Top 3 favorite band for me, and I’m glad you did a video on them. 🤙🏼🔥

Awesome video, these guys are amazing. For anyone who hasn't seen their set they did during the pandemic in the atlanta aquarium should go watch that ASAP, it is for me their peak moment so far. I never expected a stoner metal band to reach this massive. Their music since crack the sky has been just beyond everyone else in stoner metal, it's so amazing to see them continue to grow. Hushed and grim had a legitimate case for their best album this late into their career depending on what you are looking for. Found them at Leviathan and have been a massive fan since.

Thanks! That was a great trip.. just getting into these guys after seeing them live in August, so I appreciate the history.

I was lucky enough to see them around 2002 at a little dive in Fort Worth called the Wreck Room. They opened for one of my favorite bands at the time Alabama Thunderpussy. I ended up buying their five song EP that I don’t even think you can get anymore and still listen to it to this day.

Brann is such a fantastic drummer, hands down one of my favorite drummers ever.

Awesome presentation of the Mastodon history, hats off! I found Mastodon, which nowadays have evolved to be my favorite band of all, with The Hunter. Due to the fact, that specific album means the world to me! And I'd say my all time favorite track by Mastodon is on that album. The Sparrow.

Thanks for another wonderful video! You have quickly become my favorite RU-vid notification to see. You've mentioned you like pop here and there, so I bet you might like "Seventeen Going Under" by Sam Fender. It's an honest take on the late teens, and I got all misty eyed the first time I listened with the lyrics in front of me.

I'll always have a soft spot for The Hunter. You sorta can't go wrong with any of their albums. There's always something to suit the mood depending on which one you listen to. For my money, Crack the Skye is their best work, and it definitely deserves a mention in any discussion about the best metal albums of all time. It's truly a masterwork.

I absolutely love this band and how I got into them was actually something you didn't mention - their song "Linoleum Knife" they did for the ATHF movie. While it's meant to be a typical metal song with goofy lyrics, it kicks ass. And from there I slowly started unraveling what is now one of my all time favorite bands and I'm not a metal head at all. Going to see these guys with Gojira in May. I cannot fucking wait.

I love everything Mastodon does. You're absolutely right that their "worst" is still amazing. I also love that you chose the best part of Last Baron to feature. The first time I heard that song, I played it repeatedly mostly to hear that groove.

Honestly having every band member behind a mic is so awesome. In Mastadon's case especially cuz it gives the band almost like a shape shifting element. Just love these guys! Great video 🤘🤘

I remember when my friend showed me Leviathan in high school and I didn't get it at first. Going on 20 years later, no other band has ever meant something personal to me. I'm proud of what Mastodon continues to accomplish, the humanity and positivity they've injected into their music. They're something special.

It’s impressive they went from a Social network to a Metal band within months

Saw them live last year when they co headlined with ghost and they were amazing been a fan since

So glad to see Mastodon is getting attention it well deserves.. This band marks a very significant period of my life and holds a very special place in my heart.. Love this band so much!!

Love this history review of Mastodon! Finally, going to see them on their tour with Gojira and Lorna. Total bucketlist band for a while now. I was also an artist on Relapse around the time of 2008 to 2010. Mastodon is one of my favorite bands since Leviathan. Over the years I have gone back to listen to the old and new. Mastodon and Dillinger were still on the label when we came on. Shortly realized out of the 4 labels we could have chosen while still on Tragic Hero Record; Relapse was not the one. Our band name was From Graves of Valor, which was later changed by our singer to Graves of Valor, along with changing the sound. We had members of Through the Eyes of the Dead. Do you remember our bands? If so, probably at least TTEOTD, who were on Prosthetic at the time. Anyways, I believe there's enough of a following of both bands and still to this day, that you could make a short about them and or us. Mainly interested if you knew of us or their band and what your thought are/ were during that time. Love your channel! Your thought processes and observations line up with mine completely. Rock on Finn! 🤘

I do not always agree with you but you are the best at what you do on youtube, one thank you for featuring one of my fav bands that i feel like really dont get covered a lot. Second thank you for the knowlage you drop on here. I use to be in the NJHC scene and now I am a solo witch house artist (CULTCHILD), I've gotten so much further in my music career because of the advice you give in your videos. Just, thank you!

Love this band. Favorite album is Once More ‘Round The Sun.

It's rad to see you do a mastodon video because these guys are so important for both my influence as a guitarist and my music taste. I think they're a perfect blueprint for other musicians to look up to. They have never conceded to major labels to change their sound because they knew they didn't need to and have just done what they felt was right. I will never have anything but respect for these guys because everything they have goes into the music.

Holy Hell, your videos have been suggested for some time but Damn. All In. I look forward to your insights!

Tony Hawk's Underground was what introduce me to them, and the cover art for their album Leviathan was a huge influence on my art style back in college. They'll always be one of my all-time favorite bands!

Killer video! I think another reason for their fandom, and one of the reasons they are one of my all time favorite bands, is much like Parkway Drive and ETID, its hard not to love the guys in the band as much as the music. Such cool, humble dudes. And Brent Dirty B. Hinds is one of the funniest people on the planet.

You’re spot on with the motherload video. I’ve always really liked their videos because they’re so creative and that one really got me 😂

The band also had a cameo in the DC movie, Jonah hex. What many don't know, they composed nearly the entire ost for that movie. When "the hunter" was released, it didn't leave my car stereo for almost 2 years. You're right about the videogames. "SplatterHouse" was the best hands down.

You should do a video about the 2nd coming of "Headbanger's Ball". That's actually how I heard of Mastodon. Saw the video, and purchase the Headbanger's Ball Vol 1 CD. That show was extremely influential in my love of Metal. I would stay up, watch videos, and write the names down so I could get the CDs.

Mastodon is my number 1 band and are the biggest reason I listen to heavy music. They have never had a bad album in my opinion. I like different things about all their albums and I definitely have my favorites, but they are all incredible in their own ways.

So glad you did this! One of my favorite bands of all time, one of a kind 🤘

Longtime Mastodon fan here. I LOVE the Hunter. Bought the cd the day it came out. Loved it right away no repeat listens needed. Still love it to this day.

One of my favorite bands of all time. Seeing them and Gojira for the 4th time each in August

Leviathan has one of the best opening songs ever. Jesus that thing slaps hard right out of the gate.

Awesome vid Finn! I had the pleasure of meeting those guys in Germany of all places. They were on tour with Tool and I went to see them after I came back from Iraq in 06. It was the end of the show and I made my way over to the merch area to score some t-shirts and I found myself speaking to the gentleman behind the table selling the shirts and I was like "man I didn't know Mastodon was opening for Tool, they were really good". I had few drinks in me and I was like "man you look just like those dudes from Mastodon..." and low and behold I had been speaking to Brann the whole time. He autograph my shirt which I still have till this day.

Once More Around the Sun was my intro to Mastodon. Crack the Skye and Remission are the two albums that I continue listening to on the regular.

Sorry, hate to be that guy, but I have to do this. After hearing you butcher Brann Dailor's name for the 200th time within the first 3 minutes of the video, I had to comment. His name is pronounced "Brawn" like the word for strength, not "Bran" like the cereal. Also, while you aren't technically incorrect calling "Brent Hinds" "Bill Hinds" as you did in the opening, (His birth name is William Brent Hinds after all) it's not the name he has gone by for the entirety of the band. He's "Brent Hinds." Calling him "Bill" would be confusing to those are not very familiar with band considering that's the exact name of the other guitarist. The guitarists are Bill and Brent, not Bill and Bill. Other than that, it's a great retrospective you've done here, although I do wonder if you're an actual fan considering some of these basic mistakes. It would be like doing a Metallica retrospective and calling Kirk Hammett "Curtis" or something like that. The real fans would suspect you don't really know of what you speak.

This video feels very copy paste. Low effort content vibes

I got to see them on the Graspop Metal meeting festival in Belgium in 2003. Loved the Remission album back then but somehow never got on to their next albums. I will check out their other stuff now cause of this video, thanks Finn! 👌

the first Tony Hawk's Underground has the greatest game licensed soundtrack ever, so much good stuff there, that game introduced me to some of my favourite bands, Mastodon, High on Fire, Entombed...

Not the biggest fan of mastodons catalog but goddamn "tread lightly" from 'round the sun is so damn good. That should have been more popular

Really great commentary. I have loved Mastodon for over twenty years, and I think part of it is because they are willing to take those risks. They have evolved as a band, while I've evolved as a listener. I enjoy all of their albums, although The Hunter is not my favorite. There are some great songs on that record, Curl of the Burl being one of them, but coming on the heels of Crack the Skye did not do it any favors. Crack the Skye is one that sticks with you. It really is a masterpiece. That was never going to be easy to follow. I'll never forget the first time I heard Oblivion. It's somehow heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. Hushed and Grim is not to everyone's taste, but it grows on you. You can really hear their grief at the loss of their friend and manager. I feel like sometimes metal music loses some of that authenticity, so it's good to go down that road once in awhile. I'm excited to see where they go from here. Can't wait to see them with Gojira this spring- they're absolutely amazing live. They're all great at what they do, but Brann is a wonder.

I am quite happy that you’ve done a video about Mastodon already!

Finn you finally covered my favourite band of all time, didn't think you would be into them as they're quite proggy. The first 3 albums are my fave, I think it's a nostalgia thing but also it was before they calmed down a bit from Crack The Skye onwards. They're a weird band but I fucking love them, I still put on Leviathan or Blood Mountain for a cover to cover listen every now and then