Mastodon
16 February 2005
Mean Fiddler, London
Despite magazine covers and album of the year awards, Mastodon were proving quite a challenge to the uninitiated and opening with a 13 minute epic didn't make things any easier. Two out of six in our group, including myself, were fully absorbed, but there were a number of blank expressions leaving early.
Mastodon's music is such that if you give it time the rewards are immense. The experience reminds me of my confusion over why people liked Voivod, until on listen five of Killing Technology the penny dropped and that remains one of my favourite albums today.
However the emperor is not without clothes and Mastodon fully merit the packed Mean Fiddler which Brann Dailor surveys from atop of his high drum riser.
Last time in London the band were plagued by a bout of flu but tonight they fired on all cylinders with some crazy rock posing from Troy Sanders and Brent Hinds. The pair seem to be getting hairier like an extreme metal Gibbens brothers from ZZTop. Sanders command of a crowd has come on leaps and bounds and he takes time out to applaud us prior to Mother Puncher.
Song wise the set is packed with classics from both full length albums though surprisingly nothing from the Lifesblood EP. Megalodon fittingly features a riff of monstrous proportions and Blood and Thunder incites mayhem in the pit. Aqua Dementia sees a frenzy of fretwork from Bill Kelliher, but it's the fused Iron Tusk into March Of the Fire Ants that steals the show.
It was great to see Mastodon moving up to a bigger stage, though this will feel intimate soon. The band commanded attention and the constant seeping dry ice gave a hellish look to proceedings. Mastodon are challenging but hugely rewarding and long may that continue.
Mastodon set list:
Hearts Alive / I Am Ahab / Seabeast / Iceland / Crusher Destroyer / Megalodon / Blood & Thunder / Where Strides The Behemoth / Mother Puncher / Aqua Dementia / Iron Tusk / March Of The Fire Ants / Emerald / The Bit
LINKS:
Mastodon
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