Having last year released the astonishing 'Crack The Skye' upon an unsuspecting public, expectation for this first proper tour (discounting last years club dates) in support of that opus is running at fever pitch.
Mastodon are very much a band on the up, and with a record like 'Crack The Skye' under their belts, you do wonder just how much further they can go.
The big question however is if they can pull off the undoubtedly complex and intricate songs live.
First up however is Los Angeles band Totimoshi, who pull out an interesting set which improves as it goes on, but is somehow lacking in intensity.
Their brand of hard stoner-doom, with a healthy desert blues injection, is one that still requires a little more tightness from the band. When they lock onto each others groove they are undoubtedly impressive, but you are left feeling a little cold.
After that short set from Totimoshi comes the band everyone here has been waiting patiently to see, and Mastodon don't disappoint.
By deciding to dedicate the first half of the show to playing that latest LP in its entirety, they demonstrate just how good a set of musicians they all are, and how much the album was made to be heard live.
In front of a visually astounding backdrop made from pre-programmed loops, animations and other film clips, they crash into the album opener 'Divinations and proceed to nail every last note throughout.
'Oblivion' and 'The Czar' are highlights, as they are on record, with those hypnotic visuals adding so much to the general intensity of the performance.
The undoubted overall album highlight however, closer 'The Last Baron', sounds even more impressive here in a live setting and works perfectly to finish this first half of the show.
It must be noted just how intense a performance this is, and how awestruck the crowd appear at the skill and showmanship displayed on stage.
The almost bear like presence of guitarist Brent Hinds, and the shrieking madman persona of bassist Troy Sanders complement each other perfectly, and with them sharing vocals equally between themselves, this is a rare example of a band that looks like a band, and not just a singer and his musicians.
It must also be noted just how well 'Crack The Skye' fits together as an album. It would feel out of place and wrong for these tracks to be played in anything other than together and as one.
But the band aren't content with just bruising jaws in awe, they want to rip the place to shreds as well. Whilst the newest songs are not necessarily ideally suited to moshing, the older tracks, such as those from 'Blood Mountain' and 'Leviathan' most definitely are.
They wait until the end however to unleash their monster. 'March Of The Fire Ants' is one of those songs born to tear chunks out of an already battered and bruised audience.
Unrelentingly heavy and down right brutal, it sounds simply amazing here tonight to end a gig such as that.
The bass sound alone is enough to smash the last ounces of hearing from the listeners brain, and Mastodon know it, revelling in the pits devouring Rock City.
The venue plays Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' as the crowd files out, a nod to the 2000 punters who are numb in shock and awe.
Mastodon, your time has come. Greatness is upon you.
article by: Phil Grimley
published: 25/02/2010 08:24
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.