Looks like it was just a one-off that they recorded before their tour started. I saw a Reddit comment that suggested Mastodon should have Randy become a regular guest vocalist on their albums now that Scott Kelly is out, and based on this track I would definitely be down for that.
Idk if anyone else has checked out the Crack the Skye remaster from last month, but I highly recommend it. Not that it was a bad sounding album by any means, but I think the remaster improves on it and it will be my go-to version from now on.
Sounds like there’s a bit better separation between the instruments and it’s easier to hear what’s going on, which works well on a dense record like this one. Troy’s bass in particular stands out to me.
https://www.metalsucks.net/2025/01/...jJhfmr278DrCVAF3uM_aem_PQ085XyipGT_zL_YGOS-3Q Most anticipated album of the year let’s go
Hushed and Grim was great, maybe needed some editing, but my biggest qualm is it sounds like I’m listening to it from inside a tin can.
I'm not sure if it's heresy with this band or not but I basically pretend everything between Crack the Skye and Emperor of Sand doesn't exist.
Not heresy, Mastodon doesn’t have a “bad” album, just some I like more than others. I’d give Once More Around The Sun another chance. I’ve come to love it after revisiting!
Yeah definitely an easy take to be whatever on The Hunter but OMRTS is good. Emperor of Sand definitely brings it back
Emperor and Cold Dark Place are really the only thing released after CtS I listen to, but even then I just find myself returning to their older releases after a bit. The bit about the new material honestly doesn't do much for me because it kinda sounds like way too many ideas again, not unlike Hushed.
I think I'm somewhat on an island here, but I LOVE Emperor of Sand. I feel like it combines their heaviness with great choruses better than anything they've done up to this point.
EoS has a few songs I like but I kind of agree that Crack the Skye was the last time a Mastodon album did it for me front-to-back.
Crack the Skye and everything before it are masterpieces. I enjoy everything after too but they haven’t hit the same heights for sure
Roots Remain > Word to the Wise > Ancient Kingdom is one of my favorite 3 song runs ever. Jaguar God is unreal as well.
Been a while since I’ve listened to Emperor of Sand, or any of this band’s albums. Maybe I’ll revisit their discography soon
Brent's solos were incredible on H&G, but I really hope he has more vocal/songwriting presence on the next album. I want some more material like Jaguar God and the Cold Dark Place EP.