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=== ''Blood Mountain'' ===
=== ''Blood Mountain'' ===
Their third studio album, was eventually released on [[September 12]], [[2006]] followed by the band going on tour to support the album, touring with [[Tool (band)|Tool]] in Europe<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=60898 |title=MASTODON: 'Colony Of Birchmen' Video Posted Online |accessdate=2008-08-01 |work= |publisher=[[blabbermouth.net]] |date=2006-10-24 }}</ref> and Slayer in Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=64717 |title=SLAYER: Australian Tour Dates Announced; MASTODON To Support - Jan. 4, 2007 |accessdate=2008-08-01 |work= |publisher= |date=2007-01-04 }}</ref> [[Queens of the Stone Age]] frontman [[Josh Homme|Joshua M. Homme]] contributed vocals for the song "[[Colony of Birchmen]]" and in a hidden track on the album contains a spoken-word piece from him, claiming to be a big fan and that he uploaded their new album on the internet. Before the release of ''[[Blood Mountain (album)|Blood Mountain]]'', Mastodon was a part of the [[North America]]n [[The Unholy Alliance (tour)|The Unholy Alliance]] tour. An online promotional ''Blood Mountain'' computer game was even made available.<ref>[http://www.warnerreprise.com/mastodongame/ B L O O D M O U N T A I N<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Their third studio album, was eventually released on [[September 12]], [[2006]] followed by the band going on tour to support the album, touring with [[Tool (band)|Tool]] in Europe<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=60898 |title=MASTODON: 'Colony Of Birchmen' Video Posted Online |accessdate=2008-08-01 |work= |publisher=[[blabbermouth.net]] |date=2006-10-24 }}</ref> and Slayer in Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=64717 |title=SLAYER: Australian Tour Dates Announced; MASTODON To Support - Jan. 4, 2007 |accessdate=2008-08-01 |work= |publisher= |date=2007-01-04 }}</ref> [[Queens of the Stone Age]] frontman [[Josh Homme|Joshua M. Homme]] contributed vocals for the song "[[Colony of Birchmen]]" and in a hidden track on the album contains a spoken-word piece from him, claiming to be a big fan and that he uploaded their new album on the internet. Before the release of ''[[Blood Mountain (album)|Blood Mountain]]'', Mastodon was a part of the North American [[The Unholy Alliance (tour)|Unholy Alliance]] tour. An online promotional ''Blood Mountain'' computer game was even made available.<ref>[http://www.warnerreprise.com/mastodongame/ B L O O D M O U N T A I N<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


The song "Colony of Birchmen" was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]] in the [[49th Annual Grammy Awards]] but lost to Slayer's "Eyes of the Insane" from their album ''[[Christ Illusion]]''. In addition, the band performed the song on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'' on [[November 1]], their first appearance on [[network television]], to a viewing audience of around 2.4 million people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61747 |title=MASTODON: 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' Performance Posted Online |accessdate=2008-07-28 |work= |publisher=[[blabbermouth.net]] |date=2006-11-07 }}</ref>
The song "Colony of Birchmen" was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]] in the [[49th Annual Grammy Awards]] but lost to Slayer's "Eyes of the Insane" from their album ''[[Christ Illusion]]''. In addition, the band performed the song on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'' on [[November 1]], their first appearance on [[network television]], to a viewing audience of around 2.4 million people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61747 |title=MASTODON: 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' Performance Posted Online |accessdate=2008-07-28 |work= |publisher=[[blabbermouth.net]] |date=2006-11-07 }}</ref>

Revision as of 22:33, 13 October 2008

Mastodon
For the prehistoric animal, see Mastodon.

Mastodon is a Grammy-nominated[7] heavy metal band and are one of the most notable bands in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.[8][9] Formed in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia by Brann Dailor, Bill Kelliher, Troy Sanders, and Brent Hinds. They have released three full-length albums, finding acclaim and mainstream success with the latest two, and have toured worldwide.

Biography

Formation and early years

Mastodon was formed in late 1999 when drummer Brann Dailor and guitarist Bill Kelliher moved to Atlanta and met bass guitarist/singer Troy Sanders and guitarist/singer Brent Hinds at a High on Fire show.[10] They discovered they had a mutual appreciation of sludge metal bands Melvins and Neurosis and '70s hard-rockers Thin Lizzy, and shortly thereafter formed Mastodon.

They recorded a demo in 2000 which is generally referred to as the "9 Song Demo," which featured the band's first lead singer, Eric Saner on vocals.[10] Eric Saner left the band for personal reasons after just a couple of months, and after recording a four song demo and a 7" picture disc on Reptilian Records, Mastodon landed a record deal with Relapse Records in 2001.[10] They released an EP, Lifesblood in 2001 and their first full-length album, Remission, was released in 2002, with the single "March of the Fire Ants."[10] On all three of Mastodon's full-length albums, the last track of each relates to the Elephant Man.

Leviathan

Their album Leviathan was released in 2004 to critical acclaim; the band won Album of the Year awards from Kerrang!,[11] Terrorizer[12] and was named second best by Metal Hammer.[13] Leviathan was also rated 3rd best album in the last 20 years by Metal Hammer. Leviathan is a concept album loosely based on Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.[14] After the release of Leviathan, the band went on to play in The Unholy Alliance tour in 2004 in Europe with Slayer, Slipknot.[15]

One of the tracks from Leviathan, "Blood and Thunder," was featured in the soundtracks for the racing video games Need for Speed: Most Wanted,[16] Project Gotham Racing 3[17] and Saints Row.[18] It was also a license song in the Japanese arcade music games "Drummania V2 and Guitarfreaks V2".[19] The track features Neil Fallon, of the band Clutch, on lead vocals during the last verse of the song, though he was not featured in the music video. Mastodon had previously toured with Clutch in 2002 and 2003.[20]

Two releases followed Leviathan: The Call of the Mastodon, a remastering and remixing of the band's first nine songs, and The Workhorse Chronicles, a DVD of interviews and concert footage, including material from the band's early days as a five-piece. These two releases were Mastodon's last for Relapse records, they would go on to sign with Warner Bros..[21] Before the release of their next album, Mastodon recorded a cover version of the Metallica song, "Orion". This was for a Kerrang! magazine special CD called Master of Puppets: Remastered honoring the 20-year anniversary of the release of the album Master of Puppets by Metallica.[22]

Blood Mountain

Their third studio album, was eventually released on September 12, 2006 followed by the band going on tour to support the album, touring with Tool in Europe[23] and Slayer in Australia and New Zealand.[24] Queens of the Stone Age frontman Joshua M. Homme contributed vocals for the song "Colony of Birchmen" and in a hidden track on the album contains a spoken-word piece from him, claiming to be a big fan and that he uploaded their new album on the internet. Before the release of Blood Mountain, Mastodon was a part of the North American Unholy Alliance tour. An online promotional Blood Mountain computer game was even made available.[25]

The song "Colony of Birchmen" was nominated for Best Metal Performance in the 49th Annual Grammy Awards but lost to Slayer's "Eyes of the Insane" from their album Christ Illusion. In addition, the band performed the song on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien on November 1, their first appearance on network television, to a viewing audience of around 2.4 million people.[26]

The band's first single off Blood Mountain, "Capillarian Crest" was ranked #27 in Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 100 Songs of 2006.[27] The album itself was ranked 9th in the magazine's best albums of the year chart [28] The UK's Metal Hammer voted it the best album of 2006 in its end of year critic's poll.[29] The album was voted in at #5 by Kerrang! in their end of year list.[30] Also #6 on PopMatters' Best Albums of 2006[31] and #1 on The Best Metal Albums of 2006.[32] About.com rated it the top metal album of 2006.[33] Blood Mountain also got named the best album of 2006 in the 10th anniversary birthday edition (issue 119) of Bizarre. It also came in at #2 on Revolver magazine's list of the top albums of 2006. The band was named Artist Of The Month for March 2007 at Gametap.com.[34]

2007 and onwards

Mastodon has gained mainstream exposure with the song "Sleeping Giant" being made available as an additional downloadable song for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. They also contributed a cover version of Harry Nilsson's "One" for the video game Army of Two's advertisement campaign. The band members are fans of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and in 2007, Mastodon performed the opening song of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, "Cut You Up with a Linoleum Knife".[35] Brent would also provide guest vocals on the song "Horse Hunter" for The Dillinger Escape Plan's album Ire Works. Mastodon's "Colony of Birchmen" is also a playable track on Harmonix's Rock Band 2.

Touring

The band has been touring and playing numerous show during this time. Mastodon joined Against Me!, and Cursive for a North American tour, with Planes Mistaken for Stars opening for one leg and These Arms Are Snakes the other.[36] A performance in Milwaukee had to be canceled due to illness on the part of Brent Hinds.[37] Mastodon would play the Hove Festival in Norway as well as on the Main Stage of the Download Festival and then the Pitchfork Music Festival. During this time the band opened for Metallica on the Sick of the Studio tour. The band also played at the 2007 Dubai Desert Rock,[38] the 2008 Bonnaroo Music festivals,[39] and the inaugural Mayhem Festival. They are scheduled to be playing The Unholy Alliance tour 2008.[40]

The band performed "Colony of Birchmen" at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards live with Josh Homme. After the televised performance, member Brent Hinds was reported to have sustained a severe head injury. Blabbermouth.net initially reported that it was the result of a brutal assault[41] but the police report later suggested that an inebriated Hinds had started a fight with System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian and musician William Hudson.[42] Hinds suffered brain hemorrhaging, a broken nose and two black eyes but has made a full recovery.

Next album

Mastodon are working with producer Brendan O'Brien on their next album[43] while Scott Kelly will return as a guest musician.[44] While the lyrics have been reported to explore topics relating to Czarist Russia,[45] the band has denied that the album will be about Grigori Rasputin. These rumors started after a drawing by artist [Munk One][46] of Rasputin was featured in merchandise.[47] Besides dismissing the rumors the band has also stated not to expect a new release until next January at the earliest.[48] The band debuted three new tracks at the Bonnaroo Music Festival. The track names are said to be: "Ghost of Karilla", "Quintessence" and "Divinations." Other track names mentioned in articles and interviews include "The Last Baron" and "Oblivion."[49]

Discography

Main article: Mastodon discography

Band members

Current members

Former members

  • Eric Saner - lead vocals (a few months during 2000)

References

  1. ^ Mastodon LP Tackles Cannibalism, Sasquatch - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News
  2. ^ Metal File: Mastodon, The Bled, Thor & More - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News
  3. ^ Signs of progress for progressive rock
  4. ^ MyWire | Muze: Mastodon
  5. ^ Papa Roach pay tribute to Iron Maiden at Download 2007 | News | NME.COM
  6. ^ Torche: Torche - PopMatters Music Review
  7. ^ "SLAYER Wins GRAMMY In 'Best Metal Performance' Category". blabbermouth.net. 2007-02-11. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  8. ^ Adrien Begrand. "BLOOD AND THUNDER: Regeneration". Popmatters. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  9. ^ James Edward. "The Ghosts of Glam Metal Past". Lamentations of the Flame Princess. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c d "Mastodon - Official Relapse Records Band Page". Relapse Records. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  11. ^ Kerrang! End of year lists
  12. ^ Terroriser Albums of the year
  13. ^ Metal Hammer Albums of the year
  14. ^ "Where Swims the Leviathan?". Chronicles of Chaos. 2004-08-31. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  15. ^ "MASTODON Announce Special London Headlining Performance". blabbermouth.net. 2004-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  16. ^ "Need for Speed Most Wanted Gets Much Music". IGN. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  17. ^ "Project Gotham Racing - Soundtrack Samples". Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  18. ^ "Saints Row Delivers A Sonic Blitz". IGN. 2006-08-08. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  19. ^ "GuitarFreaksV2 & DrumManiaV2 OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE". Konami. Retrieved 2008-08-12. Specific HTML frames at [1] and [2]
  20. ^ Clutch old tour dates from official page
  21. ^ "MASTODON: Collection Of Early Recordings, Three-Hour DVD Due In February". blabbermouth.net. 2005-11-05. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  22. ^ "MASTODON Cover METALLICA's 'Orion' For 'Master Of Puppets' Anniversary CD". blabbermouth.net. 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  23. ^ "MASTODON: 'Colony Of Birchmen' Video Posted Online". blabbermouth.net. 2006-10-24. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  24. ^ "SLAYER: Australian Tour Dates Announced; MASTODON To Support - Jan. 4, 2007". 2007-01-04. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  25. ^ B L O O D M O U N T A I N
  26. ^ "MASTODON: 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' Performance Posted Online". blabbermouth.net. 2006-11-07. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  27. ^ "The 100 Best Songs of the Year". Rolling Stone. 2006-12-08. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  28. ^ "The Top 50 Albums of 2006". Rolling Stone. 2006-12-11. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  29. ^ "Critics Choice 2006". Metal Hammer. 2007-01-16. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  30. ^ Kerrang! End of year lists
  31. ^ "Best Albums of 2006". PopMatters. 2006-12-23. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  32. ^ "The Best Metal Albums of 2006". PopMatters. 2006-12-22. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  33. ^ "Top 20 Heavy Metal CDs Of 2006". About.com. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  34. ^ [3][dead link]
  35. ^ "MASTODON To Make Big-Scren Debut In 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force'". blabbermouth.net. 2006-09-12. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  36. ^ "MASTODON, AGAINST ME! Get Tour Off To 'Roaring' Start". blabbermouth.net. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  37. ^ "MASTODON: Illness Forces Milwaukee Concert Cancellation". blabbermouth.net. 2007-05-11. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  38. ^ "STONE SOUR, MASTODON Confirmed For United Arab Emirates' DESERT ROCK Festival". blabbermouth.net. 06-12-15. Retrieved 2008-07-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ "METALLICA, PEARL JAM, MASTODON Confirmed For BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL". blabbermouth.net. 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  40. ^ "SLAYER, TRIVIUM, MASTODON To Team Up For 'The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III' European Tour". blabbermouth.net. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  41. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - MASTODON's BRENT HINDS Hospitalized With 'Severe Head Injury'
  42. ^ ::Las Vegas Weekly::. The Intersection Of Arts // Entertainment // Culture + Everything Else That Matters  : Post-Vma Headbanging
  43. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - MASTODON Stretches Out On 'Creepy' New Album
  44. ^ "Midwest Excess interview". Midwest Excess. 2008-09-28.
  45. ^ The 125-Plus People, Places and Things Ruling the Rock & Roll Universe : Rolling Stone
  46. ^ http://www.munkone.com/home/?p=103
  47. ^ Mastodon, Troy Sanders, Brent Hinds, Brann Dailor, Rasputin, Remission, Leviathan, Blood Mountain, Prog-metal, heavy metal, psychedelic
  48. ^ "Mastodon New Album Set For January". Metal Hammer. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  49. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - MASTODON Debuts Three New Songs At BONNAROO; Video Available
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