Metal heavyweights Mastodon pack a punch
ONE of the most popular metal bands around are set to play a Tyneside date as part of a full UK tour this month.
Mastodon will play Newcastle's O2 Academy on Sunday, February 21, as part of their Crack The Skye tour, on the back of last year's hugely successful album of the same name.
After these dates, the four-piece head out to South and Central America in support of Metallica, and then accompany the metal titans on the bill of this year's Sonisphere Festival.
Indeed, the band are thought by many to be Metallica's successors as the world's biggest and most important metal band.
Formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in late 1999, the band comprises Troy Sanders (bass/vocals), Brent Hinds (guitar/vocals), Bill Kelliher (guitar) and Brann Dailor (drums/vocals).
They have been critical darlings from the beginning, with positively-received debut Remission only giving a taste of what was to come.
Second set Leviathan built upon this early promise with sludgy masterpieces such as single Blood And Thunder and fan favourite Iron Tusk.
2006's third album Blood Mountain was received in a similarly positive manner, and even received a Grammy nomination.
Crack The Skye continued this impressive sequence of releases, being arguably their best and most ambitious yet.
The seven-song set is based around the concept of Tsarist Russia, with a more progressive approach cumulating in epics such as 13-minute closer The Last Baron.
Bassist Sanders said of the album: "We wanted to create an epic, classic rock-sounding Mastodon album if that was possible, and I think we came as close as we could to achieving that.
"We've always been proud of our records, but with this one the four of us were collectively beyond thrilled."
Mastodon spent most of last year on the road, playing intimate shows where they treated fans to the new record in its entirety followed by an onslaught of classics from previous albums.
It's their 'blue collar' attitude to touring which has made them so popular in the metal community.
Fans have grown accustomed to their accessibility, approachability and dedication as a working man's band.
Tickets for their Newcastle gig are still available, priced 16, from (08444) 772000.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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