Review Summary: In-depth analysis of Mastodon's second album, "Leviathan"
ALBUM RATING--5/5 (Classic)
A band like
Mastodon, which promises so much with every coming album, can only improve its style with every release. For this reason alone, I am torn on this albums rating. It certainly is classic, but... the next album simply improves and progresses the style of this one, just as this one did "Remission".
The theme of this album is water. Further in-depth, it tells the tale of Ahab Bligh, and his bout with a great big white sperm whale. Before I even begin to actually describe the songs in musical terms, let me say that the songs give you a remarkable feeling of wetness.
There are different feelings of the songs. Songs like "Aqua Dementia" and "Hearts Alive" are gloomy, murky songs that bring to mind dark grey skies over rolling ocean waves. There are mirthful, catchy songs such as "Naked Burn" that would surely inspire head nodding, there are confusing, technically amazing songs like "I Am Ahab" and "Megoladon", which are very suspenseful and yet provide release almost sexual in its power. You hear "Seabeast", and it frightens you with its confusing licks and powerchords but in the end, you know it is oh, so right... "Blood & Thunder" is probably the hardest rocker, and the rain seems to run off the metaphorical whale. "Iron Tust" is much like the last mentioned song, it is very heavy and very humble, but the song collapses like a tsunami before you know it, and the song is in full speed. And finally, the last song, "Joseph Merrick", is like floating calmly in the sea... feeling the waves carry your person and drifting to neverneverland or wherever you go when you get overwhelmind feelings of calmness.
As for the songs themselves, you will find the catchiest parts in the bridge of "Iron Tusk", just about every different riff or lick in "Hearts Alive", and the screaming parts of "Aqua Dementia" are catchy yet heavy. You will definitely bang your head when you hear the chorus of "Blood & Thunder", and "I Am Ahab" is incredible in how it pulls you into the album... The most technically advanced parts lie in the epics "Seabeast" and "Megoladon", both great songs and both heavier than 3 tons of concrete.
Unfortunately, no review can do justice an album of these wiles. This album is everything I have written and so much more. All I can do is guide you to the highlights of the album and wish you an enjoyable trip.
CRESTS:
Blood & Thunder--Chorus mainly, but catchy throughout
Seabeast--Verses and ending. All of the song is great, though
Hearts Alive--An epic in every sense of the word
Iceland--Not a bad moment in the song
Iron Tusk--Sludgiest song on album
Megoladon--Song rocks throughout
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