The Hunter
Mastodon
Roadrunner Records
Since their 2003 release Remission, Mastodon has been experimenting with extremely creative progressive-sludge metal that has brought them to the forefront of a crowded genre. Their newest release, The Hunter, aims to break the mould by exploring a different, yet signature sound.
The Hunter represents a natural progression in Mastodon's song writing. The band is known for telling elaborate stories through themed music and lyrics. Blood Mountain (2006) tells the story of a character seeking the “crystal skull” to achieve the next level of human evolution. This time around, the band chose a non-themed approach,which seems to have freed up some creativity in terms of the direction of the songs.
Songs vary from traditional heavy riffs in “Spectrelight” to unusually upbeat songs like “Octopus Has No Friends.”
Vocaluist and drummer Brann Dailor handled the lyrics and vocals on “Creature Lives,” which contains only major chords and short lyrics about a swamp monster. This song clocks in at just under four minutes, much like the rest of the tracks on the album.
Noticeably, the length of songs have been cut down — a drastic change from some of the epic songs upwards of 13 minutes on previous albums. Perhaps one of the most obvious features is the near absence of screaming on The Hunter, making it much more accessible to people who may not enjoy harsh vocals. In general, the album will most likely appeal to a broader audience.
The Hunter marks an attempt to explore the roots of the band’s own musical influence with more melodic instrumentals and plenty of guitar solo work. Dailor shows significant improvement in his vocal harmony and drum work. Fans of Mastodon will find The Hunter to be an evolution while retaining its core sound, as the lyrics explore new areas of emotion.
In the album’s title track, “The Hunter,” lyrics explore the unusual territory through lyrics: “All the love I’ve shown/ Given to the ones I’ve known/All the love I make/ Is equal to the love I take.”
As a live act, Mastodon has less than a solid track record, but it’s evident that these songs, in their simplicity, have been designed with live playability in mind. With new elements of classic rock coupled with pop-inspired choruses, The Hunter diverges into a multi-directional album that is much more accessible.