Atlanta-based progressive metallers MASTODON have set "Crack the Skye" as the title of their new album, due in early 2009 via Reprise Records. The seven-song, 50-minute effort was recorded at Southern Tracks Studios in Atlanta and was produced and mixed by Brendan O'Brien, who has previously worked with VELVET REVOLVER, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, PEARL JAM, AC/DC and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, among others..
"Crack the Skye" track listing:
01. Oblivion
02. Divinations
03. Quintessence
04. The Czar
I. Usurper
II. Escape
III. Martyr
IV. Spiral
05. Ghost of Karelia
06. Crack The Skye
07. The Last Baron
In a recent interview with MetalSucks, MASTODON bassist/singer Troy Sanders stated about the group's forthcoming album, "I think most of our new material is going to be more under the rock category, but it's pretty epic and involved, extremely layered, broad, melodic, dark, and creepy. When we met up with [producere] Brendan [O'Brien], he had heard some of our demos and he liked some of the rock elements that we had with our stuff. We told him that we were interested in recording, quote, 'a classic rock record that will hopefully have a long shelf life and have solid songs from start to finish, and that will live a lot longer than just listening to it a few times and shelving it.' Our favorite records of all time that we always constantly revisit in our own collection are by bands like JOURNEY, YES, KING CRIMSON, FRANK ZAPPA, KANSAS, and all the shit that we grew up with and were inspired by and continue to revisit. We kind of wanted to attempt to capture a record like that, [at least] in our eyes and ears. The stars had aligned perfectly because Brendan's a perfect match, a funny dude and a great musician who has an amazing ear. He can pick out little things that we can try to do that we hadn't even thought of before, whether it be vocally or sonically with the guitars or something. So it is going to be more of a rock kind of Count Chocula-meets-DEEP PURPLE thing. That's kind of what we're saying."
Not so psyched by these titles, but I can't fucking wait for this record nonetheless.

The rockier sound will be pretty interesting.
Looking forward to it

....................................JUEEHHH BOII!!!

I'm quite worried about the whole 'classic rock' thing but I'm pretty sure Mastodon are the kind of band who won't disappoint....hopefully.
That track listing looks sweet though - it looks like The Czar is a multipart epic

I dont think its more classic rock in the way you think, maybe. Itll be more Neurosis, Melvins style.

^ that's what i thought, i don't think it'll be guns n' roses type rock stuff.
but yeah, im really looking forward to the record. should be awesome.

From the three songs ive heard... Itll be textbook.

Yeah I didn't mean I expected it would be like GnR, but still....I don't want them to tone down their stuff.
QUOTEFrom the three songs ive heard... Itll be textbook.
Did you meet them the other day or something? Or are new songs floating around the internet?

I didnt end up meeting them in the end because Bill said he will try n get in contact and he managed to not find access to a computer. theres 3 live ones on the tinternets.

QUOTE(Minister Bonesaw @ Oct 30 2008, 03:29 PM) [snapback]454963[/snapback]From the three songs ive heard... Itll be textbook.
so you think it'll be generic?