MASTODON – ‘Emperor of Sand’ (2017)
18 April 2017- Лейбъл: Reprise/Warner
- Издаден: 2017
- Aвтор: Стефан Топузов
- Оценка:
MASTODON have been cursed with the talent to create magnificent works of art out of their most painful personal moments. Feelings of loss and death lie beneath the surface of the prog metal masterpiece 'Crack the Skye' (2009) as well as in the gigantic triumph of 'The Hunter' (2011). It is not surprising then that after two years, in which death had been a regular visitor in the personal lives of the four musicians from Atlanta, Georgia, their response is not despair – but the absolute musical brilliance which lies before you in the form of 'Emperor of Sand.'
Lyrically, this is a concept album that tells the story of one's journey towards death – from the embrace of its inevitability to the release it brings at the end. The way MASTODON have approached this grievously familiar topic and turned it into music also feels familiar. The palette is the same with which the band has painted its previous six albums – but the mastery with which it is used has been brought to yet another level.
However, MASTODON have not betrayed themselves in favor of more accessibility. Go back to the abovementioned songs and listen to what is going on beneath the surface of the catchy melodies. The songs are full of details waiting for you to discover them – and that can make you feel you are hearing the album for the first time even after dozens of listens. The pristine production of Brendan O'Brien ('Crack the Skye', AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen) certainly helps with that.
The above statement might feel a bit too strong. But given the level to which Mastodon have taken their music with 'Emperor of Sand,' you will be hearing such statements ever more frequently. Get used to it.
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