Mastodon - Emperor of Sand

Monday, New Week, time to introduce "Record Of The Week".

"Emperor Of Sand" is the seventh studio album from the American progressive metal dudes MASTODON.

The album was recorded at the Quarry in Kennesaw, Georgia and mixed at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles. The band worked with record producer Brendan O'Brien, whom they collaborated with on their 2009 album "Crack the Skye". The songs were recorded as originally arranged, then they revisited each track to edit and refine the sound. Drummer Brann Dailor completed his drum tracks and began drafting lyrics while guitars and bass were being recorded by other band members.

Scott Kelly of NEUROSIS and Kevin Sharp of BRUTAL TRUTH both appear as guest vocalists on "Scorpion Breath" and "Andromeda" (today's tune) respectively. Kelly has appeared as a guest vocalist on every MASTODON studio album since "Leviathan" (2004).

The masterpiece "Crack The Skye" (2009) was the drummer Brann Dailor's way of dealing with the unimaginable feelings of losing his sister, Skye Dailor, who committed suicide at age 14. "Emperor Of Sand" inspired by experiences members of the band had when family and friends were recently diagnosed with cancer.

The concept and story in "Emperor Of Sand" follows a desert wanderer who has been handed a death sentence. Themes of death and survival are woven into the song's lyrics.

"Emperor Of Sand" is an 11 pieces of musical death sentence, a piece of art. From the first note in "Sultan’s Curse", the classic MASTODON vocal way and the riffage you can feel that you are in heaven, even if the "death" is the topic here. To continue with the lead single "Show Yourself" that shows a more straight-forward MASTODON that forces the sand like a whirlwind in the faraway desert. "Precious Stones" is a modern beauty, melodic, progressive, difficult but sounds so easy, almost radio friendly, wow! "Steambreather" is a doomish, heavy and slow. "Roots Remain" and "Jaguar God" is two epic pieces, very emotional and stunning beautifully. "Andromeda" is a pretty straightforward tune, with an amazing heaviness. "Word To The Wise" have a gorgeous chorus, is just jaw-dropping.

"Emperor Of Sand" is a masterpiece from the guys, where every note that Troy, Bill and Brent hits feels pertinent and Brann incredible drumming is just freaking stunning, what a sound they manage to create and the balance is just perfect, what an album.

Sum: "Emperor Of Sand" is a massive package that contains their most ambitious compositions yet.

Vinyl version have a "Color your own cover"

Today's tune "Andromeda", taken from the bands latest release "Emperor of Sand".



More info @

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