ALBUM REVIEW: Marrow Deep – Mastodon

It’s hard to write about MASTODON these days without the trauma and sorrow that seems to follow them being the focus lens through which we see them. In their latest record Marrow Deep, there’s yet another layer of that loss to them after the less that amicable parting of ways and untimely death of guitarist Brend Hinds. However, core trio Brann Dailor, Troy Sanders and Bill Kelliher have not buckled under the loss. Instead, they’ve opted to steadfastly acknowledge the strife, and see beyond it with the addition of Nick Johnston and João Nogueira on guitar and keyboard respectively.

Straight out of the gate, Barbaians Blood is everything you’d expect of a MASTODON track. Frantic, frothing at the mouth and bouncing with a chaotic fury that immediately has you alert and excited. It’s the first introduction to both new members, and it’s almost surprising how easily the addition of keys works within the spectrum of MASTODON.

There’s of course a lot of looking back in the moving forwards. Snakes For Dinner, Your Ghost Again and In The Ruins especially tackle themes of loss and longing, while fully embracing the new elements of the band. There’s an anger, a sadness and a chaotic tumbling into the new that is admirable and deftly handled. Each member is playing at the top of their game, both old and new.

In The Ruins takes a very conventionally MASTODON sound (there’s no denying Brann Dailor’s drumming anywhere) and dilutes elements down to something closer to psychedelic post rock. Of course there’s chaotic movement in it aplenty in its frenetic chorus, but the fight in it isn’t as angry, it’s a wash of emotional exhaustion. Nick Johnston adds something of a contemporary feel to the guitars that compliments and contrasts against Bill Kelliher classic playing in an unusual way that’s really interesting. There’s a broader musical style that you can feel on the edges of those massive, bluesy-psychedelic motifs that MASTODON are known for.

You also don’t have to worry if MASTODON have backed off with their monstrous riffs, with plenty of the blistering solos like on Golden Spires that keep things beefy. However, the fact the band have ventured down some very different avenues is pretty cool, and results in some super tasty arrangements.

In the same way, keyboardist João Nogueira really brings a new vibe entirely to the band with the biggest change in the concept of what MASTODON can be. Snakes For Dinner was the stand out of the singles that really turned heads, but there’s plenty of moments across Marrow Deep to demonstrate how much a little musical alteration has rejuvenated the band. Moth And Bone you’d hardly recognise as a MASTODON song in its initial moments. Who thought you’d hear a laid-back song like this, with gentle synths and lush delayed guitars?

The big chops always rear their head eventually, but there’s a totally new perspective you can really feel weighting in that isn’t just tacked on. They’re Coming For You has a sharp, off kilter progressive edge that we haven’t seen from MASTODON in a while. The direction feels nostalgic for the classic riffs of the 70’s and the really weird textures of early 80’s metal and hard rock. You get a feeling that MASTODON have perhaps looked back to what actually inspires them musically, rather than just drawing on the collective sound they’ve developed. There are elements of RUSH in here with Your Ghost Again, and also a sludgy, fuzzy ELECTRIC WIZARD intro on The Vanishing. The latter here may be the lushest combination of MASTODON’s new vision from themselves. Not a totally new beast, just transformed, with a mountainous new vigour and a might we haven’t seen in maybe a decade.

A Vampire’s Demeanor is bonkers, scary, and delicious fun in line with the trippy madness of Once More ‘Round The Sun while final track The Three Fates is one of the most experimental tracks that the band have done to date. If you’re an old fan, or indeed an old fan who may have dropped off, you’ll hopefully be excited by the injection of pure energy in this record that you may have thought to be lost to the earlier albums. Or, if you’re just coming to MASTODON in the wake of all the unfortunate attention around the group, this is a wonderful way to discover one of progressive metals most prolific and technically proficient bands.

Marrow Deep really exemplifies that you can’t really pin down what MASTODON is anymore. There’s a quintessential sound, there’s an energy and a style, of course, but they’ve moved beyond the mildly predictable vibe of the previous few albums. Likewise, the sorrow of Hushed And Grim is there, but this time Marrow Deep isn’t just a lament, it’s a respectful acknowledgement and a determined forging on. There’s honouring of Hinds in this record, it’s stupid to think they wouldn’t. While there’s been a lot of loss along the way, the choice to discover new sides of this band proves that MASTODON is so much more than anyone could have foreseen. MASTODON is and always was bigger than the sum of its parts.

Rating: 9/10

Marrow Deep is out on August 28th via Loma Vista Recordings. 

Like MASTODON on Facebook.