TheAlterBridgeNation.com

Mr. Slash wrote:

Timotheus wrote:So happy with the new album. Precious Stones, Steambreather, Roots Remain (that guitar solo....) and Word to the Wise.. Such a spectacular four-song span. Jaguar King is ridiculous as well.

So you listened to the leak? You monster!

Since I never dug into this band's music I will just the time until the release to listens to their previous album. The only thing I remember from them is that their vocals are rather "rough". Kinda weird, 'cause the song they released recently sounded pretty nice regarding that aspect.

Crack The Skye is probably the best album to start. Maybe Blood Mountain or Leviathan as well, but considering you're not into really rough music I'd put those on hold until later.

The new song is indeed very different. It feels really out-of-place on the new album I think.

Listen to what the guitar player says about songwriting from 0:43 on.
IMHO, that's exactly what Alter Bridge should do, since they keep talking about writing progressive material.

Let's go with that. I don't ever say "we have to have a a chorus here". We don't really formulate songs like that.

I'm highly impressed by the new record, and I can't say I'm was a huge fan of theirs.
They just go for it and take evey opportunity to try something new.

New album is great. ONCE MORE ROUND THE SUN sort of lost steam about halfway through the album for me. No such issue here. Solid from start to finish.

EOS is fantastic. Start to finish, great record.

Usually I like the heavier or more proggy songs of band. On this new album I actually like the more melodic songs a lot! Show Yourself, Steambreather (!) and Word to the Wise being the prime examples. never been a huge Mastodon fan, but I'm digging this!

The new album is incredibly ambitious.
I love how they take chances on every song and don't follow any rules when it comes to song structures.
This is so rewarding for the listeners who take the time to listen to the whole thing.

I like that Mastodon has 3 vocalists because it adds a lot of variety to their sound. Great musicianship throughout their discography.

Album Rankings
Hushed And Grim
Emperor of Sand
Leviathan
Crack The Skye
Once More 'Round The Sun
Blood Mountain
The Hunter
Remission
Call of the Mastodon
Cold Dark Place EP
Medium Rarities EP

Top 10 Songs - In No Particular Order
Roots Remain
Jaguar God
Skeleton of Splendor
More Than I Could Chew
Oblivion
Ember City
Blood & Thunder
Crack The Skye
Seabeast
Cold Dark Place

TOP MASTODON SOLOS (INPO)
1. Cold Dark Place (4:44-5:52) 68 seconds
2. Jaguar God (6:21-7:25) 64 seconds
3. Roots Remain (4:54-5:48) 54 seconds
4. More Than I Could Chew (5:45-6:40) 55 seconds
5. Skeleton of Splendor (3:47-4:21) 34 seconds
6. Gobblers of Dregs (6:45-7:52) 67 seconds
7. Gigantium (5:08-6:16) 68 seconds
8. The Last Baron (11:15-12:40) 85 seconds
9. The Czar (8:15-8:50) 35 seconds
10. North Side Star (4:39-4:55, 5:03-6:00) 16 seconds, 57 seconds
11. Hearts Alive (10:32-11:42) 70 seconds
12. Ember City (2:30-3:00; 3:15-3:42) 30 seconds, 27 seconds

TOP MASTODON RIFFS (INPO)
1. Circle of Cysquatch (2:31-3:00)
2. Seabeast (3:30-4:15)
3. Blood And Thunder (3:15-3:47)
4. March of The Fire Ants (0:00-0:48)
5. Hand of Stone (3:10-3:31)
6. Fallen Torches (3:36-4:11)
7. More Than I Could Chew (0:47-1:47)
8. Hunters of The Sky (3:00-3:52)
9. Sultan’s Curse (0:11-0:37)
10. High Road (0:00-1:20)
11. Hearts Alive (11:44-13:11)
12. Iron Tusk (2:12-3:00)