Mastodon - Crack the Skye Review

So I had heard Mastodon off and on over the past 5 years. I really liked their music and thought they were pretty bad ass. Colony of Birchmen is probably my favorite of their songs. I finally decided to buy one of their albums. I downloaded Crack the Skye (Deluxe Version). From iTunes "The lyrics unravel a fantastic story about a paraplegic who can only travel out of body. He burns his anchor to reality and is lost in space until getting sucked into a wormhole and into a spirit world where ghosts send him to Tsarist Russia, puttin his soul inside Rasputin's body (who is murdered after trying to usurp the czar). The protagonist's soul must then fly home while the Devil trys to trick him." How trippy is that shit? Honestly, it works!! Oblivion is an eerie tune, with deep droning vocals and a slower more melodic guitar sound which totally sets up the whole astral projection business. You can totally see yourself leaving your body and flying off to space, its creepy as hell if you truly think about it. The music throughout the album is A. MAZE. ING! Each song is different, in pacing, instrumentality and vocal stylings. Troy Sanders and Brent Hinds each have amazing voices which fit perfectly with how they arrange their music. Alternating between dark and brooding to frantic and aggressive the instrumental section is fantastic. In the deluxe version you get all of the songs plus the instrumental scoring, minus vocals duh. Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher are amazing guitarists that switch pacing between songs like it's nothing. The solo in The Czar: Usurper/Escape/Martyr/Spiral is phenominal, listen to the score and you'll be blown away. Brann Dailor is an amazing drummer who sets random pacing throughout the album, but who's transitions through that frenetic pacing is flawless. Overall this album is a testament to the true artistry Metal musicians can have, fantastic story and amazing musicality by all band members. 10/10 I will be buying more of their albums!