MASTODON Marrow Deep REVIEW + Albums RANKED

I only spun it up once but I think I agree the first impression of Marrow Deep is probably their best work since Crack the Skye and has the potential given a bit of time to be my favorite record of theirs.

I love Emperor of Sand

To me, Mastodon was one of the most consistent bands for me from Remission going all the way to Once More 'Round the Sun. that said, I also had this weird issue with Mastodon where each of those albums took some time to grow on me, but I found that everything after Once More just seemed like a step down. The Scott Kelly appearances kinda sour things for me. It is also nice to hear that Mastodon are carrying on in the wake of the falling out with and tragic passing of Brent Hinds. R.I.P.

…I can't just put into words how much did I cringe when you almost moved Leviathan below Once More Round the Sun, like…it was a very disappointing, even kinda frustrating album to listen to and it still is for me to this day, still, I'm glad your don't exactly did it.
(And really, who fkin cares anyways, just personal opinions, I'm totally fine with whatever lands on this list, nothing personal cuz I'd never cross that line, I mean, self-awareness always, people)
(Maybe I'll give it a relisten, but I'm saying it already, I have tried to like this album and it just doesn't work for me)

I have to give the album a second listen. As soon as I play the opening track and I immediately thought that this sounds like a band reborn and revitalized. Of all the Mastodon albums that have come out this was by far the most intense listening experience and I found myself far more focused on the lyrics that I have been in years. In some strange way it almost felt as if they were going through the stages of grief on the album. Definitely going to listen to it again also mad props for getting the review done so quickly!

Bro the opener of the new album is a masterpiece. Very good album in my opinion

Always appreciate these types of rankings as it helps to put the latest album in the context of a band's full career. Have only listened to the singles so far for Marrow Deep and am looking forward to hearing the entire album.

My personal ranking:
1. Crack the Skye
2. Hushed and Grim
3. Blood Mountain
4. Emperor of Sand
5. Leviathan
6. Once More Round the Sun
7. Remission
8. The Hunter

Can’t rank Marrow Deep yet, I need a lot more time with it before I decide where it fits in their discography

Awesome band with an awesome discography. Mastodon is one of those bands where even the albums I’d rank toward the bottom still have a lot to offer. I’d probably agree with most of this ranking, although with how much their sound has evolved over the years, from the heavier sludge and progressive stuff of their early albums to the more melodic and accessible direction later on, I could see people having wildly different rankings depending on what era they prefer.

BTW, Kamelot just dropped their new album, Dark Asylum. Any chance we’ll get a discography ranking for them too? As one of the pillars of symphonic metal, they definitely deserve some attention. They’re 14 albums deep now, with a really interesting evolution from the Roy Khan era into the Tommy Karevik era, so there would be plenty to dig into and debate.

Mastodon is one of those bands that I can't really get into and I don't understand why. On paper I should love them but it doesn't connect. I'm gonna give the new album a shot but they just might not be for me.