Very, very few musicians can play like this. Especially not with such crippling velocity, violence, fury, and granite-solid heaviness. The full charge of Mastodon far exceeds what is expected of a group of human beings equipped with a bass, drums, guitar, and a mic. An Atlanta-based quartet boasting drummer extraordinaire Brann Dailor and razor-sharp guitarist Bill Kelliher (both from the In the Eyes of God line-up of Today is the Day), and Brent and Troy from 4 Hour Fogger on Guitar and bass respectively, Mastodon spent the better portion of 2000-2001 in the van and onstage, touring endlessly through the United States and Canada, and wasting no time recording their mind-shearing debut CD-EP with Relapse Records, Lifesblood. With a full length on the way, also on Relapse, Mastodon have in the mean time unloaded this sonic weapons manual on Reptilian, boasting tortured picture disk art from acclaimed photographer Carlos Batts. Welding the most exceptional elements of grindcore, death metal, mathematically precise hardcore, and the frothing intensity of early American punk rock together into a titanium-strength grade of forward-thinking metal, Mastodon has clearly raised the bar for musical accomplishment in the underground. The lesson most bands should accept from listening to this one: quit now!

Mastodon “Slick Leg” REP059

TRACK LISTING: Slick Leg Thank You For This Deep Sea Creature