The Strange History Of MASTODON (from death metal to the Grammys)

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The strange history of Mastodon! I talk about Mastodon's early history (Lethargy, Relapse Records, "Remission"), "Leviathan," "Blood Mountain" and "Crack The Skye," Mastodon members Brann Dailor, Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher and Troy Sanders, "The Hunter," "Once More Round The Sun," "Emperor Of Sand," "Cold Dark Place" and more in the history of Mastodon.
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0:00 Intro
2:30 Early years of Mastodon
5:22 "Leviathan" & breakthrough
8:11 "Blood Mountain" & "Crack The Skye"
11:34 "The Hunter"
13:23 "Once More Around The Sun"
14:50 "Emperor Of Sand"

[@ThePunkRockMBA]

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[@eddiewramos]

NO!

[@FACEL1FT]

Thanks for mentioning saints row man! Thats where i know mastodon from. Not from the first game, tho. Colony of Birchmen caught my attention in Saints Row 2

[@Tiedy88]

you should start uploading your live stream highlights bro

[@jeremysiron9622]

@@Tiedy88 he does, on his second channel he posts most of the livestream material….wasn’t sure if you knew that

[@GregGolightly]

nothing ironic at all about punk rockbeing essentially a promo code. .

[@likearitual]

I live in Georgia and both of my bands practice at Mastodons studio Ember City in Atlanta, it's a really low-key building in West Atlanta industrial area, half of it is a rental rehearsal spot, and I've talked to these guys a handful of times. Incredibly cool guys and humble, they're all super involved in the scene here still. Big love for Mastodon.

[@Timewalker13]

Consider yourself lucky

[@RoxBelleATL]

Brann came into the bar/restaurant I work at on New Year's Eve he had on a silver sequined suit absolute fucking legend lmao

[@anti-liberal7167]

I seen them in Atl at Lakewood during the Mayhem Yager tour in 06 on the main stage with Slipknot disturbed dragonforce

[@moshhard616]

Howdy neighbor haha

[@likearitual]

When they shut down Blackbox in Atlanta the dudes from Mastodon knew a lot of local bands were out of a rehearsal space so they repurposed half of their studio to fill the gap. One of the coolest things they've done outside of making records.

[@berke2336]

Crack the Skye is easily one of the best Prog/Metal concept albums to exist. Every single song is so well done on every front

[@albo3music]

I completely agree! The fact that the album is named after Brann’s sister really shows how personal it was to them as well ^^

[@nicholaskoenig3106]

I love it. Listen to it driving, mtn biking and/or lifting all the time!

[@jordazmo19]

Seriously amazing album ☺️

[@slangislayer]

One of those albums where I listen to each song in order. It's an entity

[@codeP08]

The Last Baron is long, but it's a masterpiece, every second of it is gold. One of my favorite Mastodon tracks,

[@ChristopherRoss.]

For me, Crack the Skye is a really special album. A once in a lifetime masterpiece sort of achievement.

[@heinthepain]

Agreed!

[@osamabindiesel3389]

Knew about mastodon since colony of birchmen, but this album with the track “divinations” is what made me a fan. It was played briefly as an adult swim bump along with the visualizer of the album cover, and it was the coolest thing I ever saw/heard.

[@samuelkidwell6728]

​@@osamabindiesel3389 I found Mastodon watching Adult Swim before school. I love the reference in your username btw lol.

[@jeremysiron9622]

It is a 10

[@rocketPower047]

​@@osamabindiesel3389 Rock Band?

[@failuretolaunchdrums]

The Hunter got waaay better with time. Aged like wine. Title track is mesmerizing.

[@nercksrule]

Metal fans have always been picky eaters. No matter the subgenre. The Black Album had some objectively well-written and composed songs (except for Enter Sandman), and everyone acted like Metallica had killed their mothers.

[@petermikolay]

@nercksrule Drinking game: - start a chat about it - take a shot everytime you hear: 'sell out' - you just killed yo liver

[@QQyoko]

Emperor of Sand was my introduction to Mastodon. What a phenomenal album.

[@aaronbakerbcg3984]

Emperor of the Sand is a great album but damn they took 100 steps back with Hushed and Grimm. That’s a terrible album.

[@jeremysiron9622]

@@aaronbakerbcg3984 it’s been so up and down since “Crack the Skye”(a veritified all time Metal masterpiece10/10) that’s where their creativity and consistency peaked imo….luckily they still are capable of good stuff,(Emperor of Sand was a pleasant semi return to form)….it’s not like Metallica where you lost hope for anything good decades ago….but yeah so up and down since CTS

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

@@aaronbakerbcg3984 Finally someone gets it! Hushed and Grim is objectively boring lol. Every song is slow, there are like 2 riffs in everyone of them, nothing is as complex as in the previous albums and it feels like Brent Hinds isn't even a part of Mastodon anymore. I really think this was their last album with him 'cause he's gone full on country music by now.

[@zdancrk]

Same here. I'm practicing the solo for "more than I could chew" from the album hushed and grim.

[@officialmetalwill]

Phenomenally disappointing.

[@rycolligan]

I love how diverse their discography is. They have an album for every mood. I think they struck the perfect balance of prog and brutal on Blood Mountain, but I go back to all of their albums frequently. Brann’s drumming is genuinely masterful, delicious, crushing, and smooth simultaneously.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Absolutely. Every album is unique and yummy it it’s own way. Such a unique band with a sound like no one else. Love that there’s 3 singers and they are each super talented. My man Bill Kelliher is riff lord par excellence 🔥🔥🔥

[@johnnyhourigan1857]

I love that Each member is so crucial to the band. If anyone left the band would be finished. I’d just like to point to Brent’s solos. They get better and better with each album.

[@nerlfi]

Agreed, man - the album art, songs, lyrics, musical styles - they're true artists.

[@BlueZirnitra]

I love the subtle tension in his drumming. He has that marching band style precise control over the snappiness and timing of his hits. It just sounds so sharp, alive but still crushingly heavy. Brilliant drummer.

[@rawrshacktsu8623]

Colony of Birchmen popped my cherry.

[@spasehorse8524]

I worked for Relapse when they put out Leviathan and then the Warner Bros buy out. The bonus check I got at Christmas was huge because of that album. We had to literally sit in a circle of boxes full of CD's and Vinyl over the weekends to fill preorders. Its insane the love they had before blowing up

[@AtZero138]

Always liked stories like This.. that era, when sales dropped, somehow this underground music was selling, without the machine... The Band Breather Resist, told me about them.. Jake from Converge also.. that First album.. takes you somewhere.. like,, Since By Man,, push to panic.. Cheers from Southern California.. @∅

[@JasonSimpson-ue7cl]

I really liked blood mountain, great cd

[@camw621]

The thing about Brann's drumming is that it's just SO entertaining to listen to.... He's one of those drummers where you can enjoy just focusing on his parts just as much as listening to the album as a whole..

[@okochannell]

Yeah, absolutely!

[@jeremysiron9622]

The distinct guitar riffs on top of the almost jazz style drumming, somehow fitting into metal, is something only they can pull off….. the guitar and drums are so distinct that literally no other metal band sounds like them at all, they somehow fit this weirdness into metal and it works

[@blackmatterlives9865]

If i remember correctly the reason why he plays drums like he does was instead of keeping up with a bass player he had to keep up with his brother's guitar

[@jevinday]

Also: the idea of Finn listening to a 90 minute double album is hilarious 😂

[@jeremysiron9622]

The idea of Finn’s newborn boy growing up into a prog fan is hilarious, also congrats Finn

[@luissousa54]

For me, Cold Dark Place is one of the best things they released. something about those 4 songs that just sounds perfect. Blue Walsh is one of my favourite tracks.

[@ethanpollard1411]

100% agree.

[@blkmtl96]

For sure.

[@ChrisRogersTheAngryChef]

great song.

[@kreb12]

It's getting cold outside.

[@pb9018]

Brann is one of the best drummers in metal without a doubt. The Hunter is the album that hook me in.

[@jeremysiron9622]

Fantastic second vocalist as well

[@pb9018]

@@jeremysiron9622 ikr, hes amazing on vocals too

[@bobunitone]

He can do an amazing King Diamond too

[@markjames8664]

I would say one of the best in the entire rock world.

[@chikinonfrydai]

i’d even go as far to say he’s one of the best drummers period lmao

[@markymark3668]

Can't understand how anyone can hate Hushed and Grim. One if their best if not their BEST work so far IMO. Every single song is memorable and feels like it will be considered a 'classic' in 40 years time

[@WFly101]

it's my 3rd favorite behind CTS and Leviathan.

[@OneShotUdyr]

Same thing that happened with Leviathan, for many its just a slow burn

[@dibari22]

I'm late to the Mastodon game, but Hushed and Grim is one of the best albums I've ever heard, period, let alone among Mastodon albums.

[@Environmenthrall]

Completely agree. Their best release since CTS hands down. They retained their classic sound while pushing into new territory. It's certainly their most emotional release, IMO. I revisit it often, which doesn't happen with The Hunter or Emperor of Sand.

[@TheRumbles13]

It was incredible live

[@zachhamilton456]

Crack the Skye is still my favorite album by them, and personally the band just became another level once Brann started singing. His voice really puts it all together with how different it is from Brent's and Troy's. All 3 of them together though just make this perfect triangle of vocals.

[@NavarroSkyrim]

I really loved Hushed & Grim, one of the saddest and most emotional albums I've ever heard...

[@rubaidaallen2764]

It really is beautiful. I cried.

[@kreb12]

I think it's the best they've done since Crack The Skye

[@garnermcculloch2778]

Mastodon has to be my favorite band to come out in the last 20 years. Their ability to release an album that just so happens to coincide with real life traumas that I am dealing with is uncanny.

[@rossdixon]

Can’t believe you didn’t mention their appearance in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie. Legit one of the best things they’ve ever done.

[@hughj1796]

I was gonna say that but glad I checked if someone else had first

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

Also their song "Island" appeared in Pixar's Monster's university lol

[@jonathanporter5223]

"Cut you up with a linoleum knife" awesome song and one of the best movie soundtracks.

[@floatingdisembodiedhead8975]

​@@jonathanporter5223hilarious video accompaniment too

[@ChapoBlanco]

Bro I literally came here looking for this gem. I’m glad I’m not the only one 🫡

[@JJMetalhead]

Thanks so much for the shoutout!!! Great video. Mastodon is one of those bands that continues to put out fantastic music. Hushed and Grim took me a little while to warm up to, but now I really appreciate it.

[@THEEArmoredSaint]

I've been rocking with them since Leviathan, own their entire discography and have seen them live. One of my favorite bands over the course of the past 15 years.

[@WTR28]

Bill Kelliher is right up there with James Hetfield when it comes to all time great rhythm guitarists in metal.

[@jefjon423]

so mediocre at best?

[@alexbrown4426]

​@BigDaddyJeff lmfao try learning the melodic break in circle of cysquatch and then try capillarian crest

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

@@alexbrown4426 1. These riffs were written by Brent 2. I think he meant it in a way that when you're "up there with James Hetflield" you are mediocre because Hetfield just straight up writes boring riffs. His riffs sound like something a beginner would write but no one can write like Bill Kelliher

[@exortor]

​@@jefjon423 saying hetfield is mediocre, is mediocre itself.

[@jakeybball]

For me, it’s Kirk Windstein, Bill Kelliher and Jerry Cantrell top 3 rhythm guys all time.

[@Lucols4]

The hunter is such an underrated record.

[@mwheeler1994]

Agreed. It got me into the band and I love the simpler structures and psychedlic elements.

[@thatoneguy3115]

Their performance of the Sparrow in the aquarium is top notch

[@billyjoejimbob6958]

Agree, it's an awesome album.

[@kreb12]

It just has to live in the shadow of Crack The Skye, a hard act to follow

[@countrytodd4614]

To me the Hunter is like their pop album, no 5 part 12 minute epics 😂

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

They DEFINITELY deserve recognition for bringing disco structure to metal without fans realising. Over numerous albums, they use a repeating pattern that can be found on everything since Crack the Skye, it's very reminiscent of some patterns used by Benny & Bjorn. Not to mention the piratical lounge music vocals of Brent, they emulate Sinatra after being possessed!

[@ladyhonor822]

Thank you 😊🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@hsatin20]

These guys are hardworking bad asses. I was super lucky enough to meet the band back in the early 2000s when they toured through Michigan multiple times to bring their music to the masses. They crushed it live and were super nice. They toured their asses off and worked hard for what they got.

[@thatstranger6114]

That's a shame. I had the exact opposite experience with them in 2014 and it really turned me off of them. I don't know what it was, maybe it was just a bad day but they seemed very standoffish.

[@MHep-qy9yv]

I toured with them twice with my old band Priestess, listen to both our albums and you can hear that at least Brann's drumming rubbed off on us haha. Magical lovely dudes they are

[@indie_keegan]

No way! I fucking love Priestess!!! Been listening since the myspace days. Thats super cool dude!!

[@m92quad55]

Laaaaaaaaaay doooooooown!

[@blackfieldchapelband724]

You guys kicked ass in Priestess🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@barenakedleech6582]

Blood Mountain is the album that got me into them. Was super weird for me at the time as I was like 14, but still my favorite album of theirs to this day.

[@bschnauf6287]

I went to a local record store in mid to late 2000’s and bought Leviathan. In a week I was hunting for their releases. My favorite band of all time. Followed my Floyd, RUSH, and such. The music speaks to me. It’s musically brilliant. Stellar talents at each instrument. Composition is on point. Hard to pick favorite album.

[@dominicspizzirri4399]

Mastodon have never made a bad album. Maybe the latest one is a bit too long admittedly, but Mastodon is legendary. They’ve grown on me a lot through the years.

[@corysabourin7054]

Leviathan and Brann's drumming is what drew me to Mastodon, Crack the Skye is still my favorite album of any band.

[@joshkelley8321]

Seen them 7 times and will be seeing them an 8th time in May. One of the most underappreciated bands in music today

[@Kakaze1]

I'm an old fan of Mastodon. I think like most old fans, I checked after Crack the Skye... and yet, I will still go and see them live on the upcoming tour.

[@TheRumbles13]

Ill never forget seeing them live. I was in tears because of everything Mastodon helped me through. I looked over and a complete stranger beside me was crying too. I gave him a hug and said " we're fucking here bro!!" One of the most wholesome random interactions Ive ever had.

[@cthulhuferrigno6547]

My favorite band; I've seen them live 22 times (with the 23rd coming up in May). That being said, I don't think they've ever topped Leviathan, the closest thing to a perfect album I've ever heard.

[@Paroketh]

These guys have not a single bad album, it’s just incredible considering also that they had no change in the lineup and still have new great ideas

[@andrewthurmond8231]

I'm so happy to see you covering them. They have been with me since Remission and they have grown with me through the years. Every single time they release a new album, their lyrical content parallels where I'm at in my life at the moment. I bought "The Hunter" on my way to on Occupy rally and the opening track blasted someone for stealing the light and the purpose. When I was living in my Tahoe trying to make it in Colorado, they released "Once More 'Round the Sun" with bangers speaking to me like "The Motherload" telling me the universe has my back and that I can have whatever I want. They are hands down one of the greatest bands ever to me. Tattooed on my forearm are the lyrics to "The Sparrow" which are simply "Pursue happiness with diligence".

[@jeremysiron9622]

“Crack the Skye” is a near perfect album imho…..everything up to and through that album that they released is fantastic….post Crack the Skye is very hit or miss

[@mickschnabel]

Crack The Skye is a damn masterpiece IMO! reminds me, I need to watch the concert dvd of that again soon

[@jaredhicks1370]

I can see that. I didn't like The Hunter, gotta say everything since slaps for me

[@anthonybeilman7092]

Crack the skye blew my freaking mind. It's one of my top 10 albums and oblivion is one of my favorite songs. The album just kicks ass beginning to end.

[@osimate]

It is insane Brann is one of the best drummers doing this all while also being one of the main singers in the band. He has been getting more and more time in each album singing, and it gives me crazy Ozzy vibes each time.

[@jordanjoestar8839]

Seeing them with Gojira and Lorna Shore. It's going to be incredible seeing 3 of my favorite drummers at once. We all know Gojira can rock a stage like no other so I'm hoping Mastadon dials it in as perfectly too!

[@alexander1995s]

Dude I saw them in LA and I actually thought Mastadon absolutely nailed it that night that show was so insane

[@ltziggy6470]

Milwaukee concert in the bmo center? I saw them there and holy shitttt!

[@VitrificationOfBlood]

Amazing band with an amazing career. Insane diverse sound and greats riffing all around, what’s not to love?

[@iantaylor7988]

Mastodon without question has to be my favorite band of all time and it's always cool to see I'm not the only person who loves them. I found Leviathan when I was in high school and that album, Crack the Skye and The Hunter got me through some pretty low points there and then in the first couple years of college. Not only that, but it was through Mastodon I found Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang, and all of the bands John from Baroness has done album art for. Seriously, you want a good collection of metal, just listen to any band that's gotten him to do their album art.

[@ggagoots]

Yeah they got me into Red Fang as well. Red Fang is great I hope they keep making music. And yes I just bought a shirt of theirs the other day the merch and imagery is fantastic

[@masonsampson9094]

Love Mastodon they are one of the greatest bands of the modern era and I will love them to the day I die

[@osirisx3r0]

Brann Dailor is probably my favorite drummer of all time. His fills are just insanity. I first got into them before Leviathan and March of the Fire Ants was the heaviest thing I'd heard to that point. It's been amazing watching them grow over the past 20 years

[@gojira2892]

I discovered Mastodon through March of the Fire Ants on Headbangers Ball in like '02 or '03. Leviathan is still in my top 10 metal albums of all time. Unfortunately I don't like their new stuff as well but am still going to see them and Gojira in April. Going to check out Lethargy now, I didn't know it existed until this video so thanks, Finn.

[@hesherette]

I wish you had mentioned that the Mastodon guys met at a High on Fire show, which is beyond cool imo bc they ended up touring w High on Fire as well as collaborating w HOF members. Love me some Mastodon + HOF! awesome video Finn!

[@drumskank]

I don't think Mastodon has ever made a bad record. Sure, fans have their favorites but each album is a work of art and represent a different period in the artists lives. They also stand out from the rest in their creativity and amazing musicality.

[@kreb12]

Once More Round the Sun is probably the "worst" and it has Asleep in the Deep.

[@xkmmx2132]

I remember literally popping out of my seat when Christian Bale cranked Blood and Thunder in The Big Short. I was literally ready to start playing air guitar and headbanging in the theatre.

[@marcgaskett]

Mastodon are certified legends and imo have never put a foot wrong, this includes both the newest album and The Hunter, both incredible albums

[@Jcruz388]

Thanks for shedding light on Today Is The Day, such a criminally underrated band.

[@Crysta1Pisto1]

Discovered them about 10 years ago, and instantly fell in love with their sound.

[@aszazaferiana]

the first Tony Hawk's Underground has the greatest game licensed soundtrack ever, so much good stuff there, that game introduced me to some of my favourite bands, Mastodon, High on Fire, Entombed...

[@t_wr3kz176]

The band also had a cameo in the DC movie, Jonah hex. What many don't know, they composed nearly the entire ost for that movie. When "the hunter" was released, it didn't leave my car stereo for almost 2 years. You're right about the videogames. "SplatterHouse" was the best hands down.

[@paulbutton2429]

I got into them around blood mountain, but for me, mother puncher is still their best track. Such brutality and precision. Their newer stuff is still fantastic, toe to toes is a great track.

[@KonradBeezo]

Mother puncher is a awesome song for sure, I really dig trilobite also

[@fredcarrier4933]

Their behind the scenes videos about the making of their albums are really cool insights into the band. Definitely one of the most musically wide ranging bands out there.

[@kreb12]

I remember when my friend showed me Leviathan in high school and I didn't get it at first. Going on 20 years later, no other band has ever meant something personal to me. I'm proud of what Mastodon continues to accomplish, the humanity and positivity they've injected into their music. They're something special.

[@yallgottaunderstand]

Remission is their best album by far. Every subsequent release gets more and more watered down with the exception of Crack the Skye which was the best direction they could've taken a lighter Mastodon, but the success of that album was never replicated.

[@sultankosmitov6293]

The Hunter is one of my favorites. It has every little flavor of all their previous masterpieces, probably thanks to stepping away from the idea of concept albums for a moment (bearing in mind that more or less, all had a theme of the elements, like - Remission was fire/destruction, Leviathan was water/sea, Blood Mountain was earth/soil, of course, and Crack The Skye was air/aether). I had it on replay for months after it came out and I've learned to appreciate it more and more. In general, Mastodon is an acquired taste. Everyone who listens to heavy music is able to find something that hooks them into digging through the whole discography. If I can recommend anything, it would be to binge a whole album in one listening for the best experience.

[@dcase20]

I was lucky enough to see them around 2002 at a little dive in Fort Worth called the Wreck Room. They opened for one of my favorite bands at the time Alabama Thunderpussy. I ended up buying their five song EP that I don’t even think you can get anymore and still listen to it to this day.

[@TheWRCS]

Brann is such a fantastic drummer, hands down one of my favorite drummers ever.

[@InGrindWeCrust2010]

I saw Today Is the Day on the In the Eyes of God tour in 1998 or so. Dailor and Kelliher made that band for the brief time they were in there. Then saw Mastodon 2-3 times between the 1st and 2nd albums as part of small touring bills. Leviathan came out, and then they never seemed to play a small venue ever again.

[@scottsummers5751]

Longtime Mastodon fan here. I LOVE the Hunter. Bought the cd the day it came out. Loved it right away no repeat listens needed. Still love it to this day.

[@BonyHawksToeSkater]

I’m not wild about Hushed and Grim, but the rest of their discography stands with anybody, IMO. They hit so many different styles with stride and fluidity. To me, Blood Mountain and Crack the Skye are absolute masterpieces. Even with some of their longer songs (as you mentioned), particularly like The Czar, they are so dynamic and musically sound, they don’t even feel like 10 minute songs. Top 3 favorite band for me, and I’m glad you did a video on them. 🤙🏼🔥

[@stevemacdonald5717]

The hunter is their best, no question

[@alexbrown4426]

​@@stevemacdonald5717 I agree, the entire album from start to finish is banger after banger.

[@collins2509]

I'll always have a soft spot for The Hunter. You sorta can't go wrong with any of their albums. There's always something to suit the mood depending on which one you listen to. For my money, Crack the Skye is their best work, and it definitely deserves a mention in any discussion about the best metal albums of all time. It's truly a masterwork.

[@christophernoble76]

true bro, there's an album or song for every mood

[@Gee-no]

The Hunter was the first album of Mastodon I owned and listened to all the way through. I still love it to this day and it sent me backwards and forwards with Mastodon.

[@SparkleFunHorse]

One of my favorite bands of all time. And I absolutely love that they change their sound & style on each new album. It always takes me a few listens to 'get it,' and that's what I love about them: it's never the same thing twice. And of course their musical chops are undeniable. Their riffs are undeniable (TY Bill K). Their dedication to pushing their own limits (which then pushes the listeners' as well) is undeniable.

[@hanes2]

It’s impressive they went from a Social network to a Metal band within months

[@coreyw5981]

Not the biggest fan of mastodons catalog but goddamn "tread lightly" from 'round the sun is so damn good. That should have been more popular

[@SOSscorn]

Tread Lightly is fucking fantastic.

[@brainthief]

I was working at a college radio station when I got to hear their first EP, "Lifesblood," which has since been re-released as "Call of the Mastodon." I first saw them live during Remission. I love the journey and evolution of the band. Definitely in my top 5 favorite bands.

[@JayBigDadyCy]

I absolutely love this band and how I got into them was actually something you didn't mention - their song "Linoleum Knife" they did for the ATHF movie. While it's meant to be a typical metal song with goofy lyrics, it kicks ass. And from there I slowly started unraveling what is now one of my all time favorite bands and I'm not a metal head at all. Going to see these guys with Gojira in May. I cannot fucking wait.

[@mikecamp7175]

Throw the seed out in the street and run over him after the show!

[@Biting_bullets25]

Saw them live last year when they co headlined with ghost and they were amazing been a fan since

[@1bossdj]

I love everything Mastodon does. You're absolutely right that their "worst" is still amazing. I also love that you chose the best part of Last Baron to feature. The first time I heard that song, I played it repeatedly mostly to hear that groove.

[@Munchable420]

Remission was on repeat back in my dope smoking weed smoking whiskey snorting shitty Mazda 626 high school daze, I still come back to it from time to time and although all that other shit is long gone out of my life the album is still very much apart of me and why i love heavy shit and is as massive as it ever was. Got into them via blood mountain but remission is just something else entirely, those early 4 albums were all so different in the best way possible. Thanks fin for pulling this one out of the hat, very much enjoyed it.

[@goner.9989]

This feels like another one of the videos where finn isn't a fan of the band but still is trying to do them justice. (I might be wrong on that, I don't know). Let's say he doesn't like mastodon, the fact that he is able to get past his personal opinion on it and be objective and state factual statements is respectable. Just as an example, if i was in finn's shoes and got punished by hordes of say... deftones fans, I would have just told them to fuck off. Instead, finn at least cares to toss them a bone to gnaw on so that they shut up. (not saying mastodon fans are like that, once again i don't know how they act. I have never interacted with them). Still, you're willing to go there and I respect the absolute shit out of you, man.

[@SteveGoldberg-xk2li]

If he was actually a fan of Mastodon, then he would probably know how to pronounce Brann's name correctly.

[@jessiegarcia82]

Love this band. Favorite album is Once More ‘Round The Sun.

[@julianlasut1520]

I won't forget the first time I heard that intro to The Wolf is Loose, mindblown! It's the Blood Mountain to Crack the Skye era for me. So many memories and so many important moments in my life.

[@saradel9897]

Great video ! I really like your “ the strange history of “ series. So informative! I’ve only listened to Leviathan so far but after watching this video I want to check out more of their songs!

[@iknowbroikno]

I do not always agree with you but you are the best at what you do on youtube, one thank you for featuring one of my fav bands that i feel like really dont get covered a lot. Second thank you for the knowlage you drop on here. I use to be in the NJHC scene and now I am a solo witch house artist (CULTCHILD), I've gotten so much further in my music career because of the advice you give in your videos. Just, thank you!

[@iknowbroikno]

Sorry for the cringe ya'll. I'm just being honest.

[@ThePunkRockMBA]

Thank you!

[@alteredbeast304]

One of my favorite bands of all time. Seeing them and Gojira for the 4th time each in August

[@ctilson176]

Mastodon is a band that I regretfully put off for many years. I remember reading Revolver back in 2004 and seeing ads for Leviathan and pretty much ignoring it. It wasn’t until I heard Blood and Thunder in the film The Big Short (not knowing it was them) but being really attracted to the track. I looked up the song and was in complete shock that it was them and that I hadn’t paid more attention way back when. Fast forward and they are not only my most favorite band but I’ve seen them in concert twice and got to meet them. Absolutely awesome dudes and tall as fuck.

[@xkmmx2132]

For anyone that is a fan of the first 2 Mastodon albums that haven't heard Today is the Day do yourself a favor and check out Temple of the Morning Sun. You can hear the early Mastodon sound all over that record.

[@brianmohler6252]

Tony Hawk's Underground was what introduce me to them, and the cover art for their album Leviathan was a huge influence on my art style back in college. They'll always be one of my all-time favorite bands!

[@FACEL1FT]

For me it was “Colony of Birchmen” on the Krunch Radio in Saints Row 2

[@poikusa0207]

Mastodon is my number 1 band and are the biggest reason I listen to heavy music. They have never had a bad album in my opinion. I like different things about all their albums and I definitely have my favorites, but they are all incredible in their own ways.

[@ConcertCrap]

7:53 - My wife and I saw this movie in theaters and laughed out loud so hard at this scene, first time watching it. The rest of the room was filled with families, mostly kids, and were so quiet at this part.

[@geraldf8191]

Saw Mastodon at trocadero theater in Philadelphia in 2002. Relapse records bands two day festival. The were highlight of the weekend. Bought Remission and have been on board since. Definitely one of the best rock bands of the recent era.

[@mattmarach3574]

You should do a video about the 2nd coming of "Headbanger's Ball". That's actually how I heard of Mastodon. Saw the video, and purchase the Headbanger's Ball Vol 1 CD. That show was extremely influential in my love of Metal. I would stay up, watch videos, and write the names down so I could get the CDs.

[@hanstraplord1299]

Killer video! I think another reason for their fandom, and one of the reasons they are one of my all time favorite bands, is much like Parkway Drive and ETID, its hard not to love the guys in the band as much as the music. Such cool, humble dudes. And Brent Dirty B. Hinds is one of the funniest people on the planet.

[@andrewpearson1903]

I'm a Remission guy myself, because it's so over-the-top and fun, and is stuffed with really satisfying riffs besides. The really intense 0-0-0-0 tracks like "Trampled Underfoot" or "Where Strides the Behemoth" make sense now that I know they came from extreme metal bands. It's not perfect, but from what I've heard after it, I don't think they've made another record that's equal to Remission.

[@Ranieri69er]

I like all the albums in different ways, i can listen to mastodon to chill, to get hyped, to be sad or even to get angry. They got it all, hard to pick a favourite!

[@markusszelbracikowski956]

Leviathan has one of the best opening songs ever. Jesus that thing slaps hard right out of the gate.

[@badmotorbreath5206]

Definitely, although The Wolf is Loose is also a cracking opening to Blood Mountain 🔥

[@l9fingers368]

Sorry, hate to be that guy, but I have to do this. After hearing you butcher Brann Dailor's name for the 200th time within the first 3 minutes of the video, I had to comment. His name is pronounced "Brawn" like the word for strength, not "Bran" like the cereal. Also, while you aren't technically incorrect calling "Brent Hinds" "Bill Hinds" as you did in the opening, (His birth name is William Brent Hinds after all) it's not the name he has gone by for the entirety of the band. He's "Brent Hinds." Calling him "Bill" would be confusing to those are not very familiar with band considering that's the exact name of the other guitarist. The guitarists are Bill and Brent, not Bill and Bill. Other than that, it's a great retrospective you've done here, although I do wonder if you're an actual fan considering some of these basic mistakes. It would be like doing a Metallica retrospective and calling Kirk Hammett "Curtis" or something like that. The real fans would suspect you don't really know of what you speak.

[@benjaminsmall8604]

The mispronunciation of Brann’s name was bugging me too!

[@SteveGoldberg-xk2li]

Thank you! I was gonna make a comment about the same thing. It was getting very annoying.

[@Crowbar11115]

Oh damn...I never realized Brann was in Today Is The Day. When you played that clip of Lethargy I mumbled "Steve Austin-core" to myself without realizing how accurate that was. Hahaha

[@wheeljack0]

I met Bran when he was in Today is the Day. Top guy.

[@nicholasferris972]

This video feels very copy paste. Low effort content vibes

[@distinguishedcolleague2345]

Just randomly bought Leviathan the other day at the record store. Had never listened to them before. Since then I have listened through the album twice, pretty darn good. Came here to learn more about the band.

[@sasakanjuh7660]

So glad to see Mastodon is getting attention it well deserves.. This band marks a very significant period of my life and holds a very special place in my heart.. Love this band so much!!

[@pclindholm]

Awesome video, I really enjoy learning about these bands and where they have been. I'm looking forward to listening to some of their older stuff later this week.

[@Wasteabuse]

I spent quality time with all their albums, they are so dynamic there's really nothing missing on any album. They just shift emphasis of diferent qualities on the later albums. They are so good at dropping monster riffs and progressions in songs that get stuck in my head at random times. Then I have a hell of a time trying to go through their discography to figure out what song it was from.

[@deluge71]

This was a long time coming, but what a great tribute. I'm not at all surprised that it came from you, Finn. Thanks so much for posting.

[@Jake-sw3ss]

LOL,Brent Hinds played my warehouse party in Atlanta in 1999 in his band Fiend Without a Face before Mastadon formed. They all used to work in Little Five Points while starting their band. They blew up real fast. I was at one of their first shows at the Star Bar. How far they have come. They still live around here.

[@anthonyfortunato7695]

I purchased the Leviathan album the day it came out. Took it to a buddy's house and put it on surround sound while playing WII bowling. They said, "Dude, you gotta turn this off". I was like, "DO YOU NOT HEAR THE DRUMS ON THIS ALBUM!!!?" Hooked instantly.