Top 10 Mastodon Songs

Photo: Adam Kliczek / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Mastodon, established in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2000, has emerged as one of the leading progressive metal bands of the 21st century. The band’s current lineup consists of bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher, drummer and vocalist Brann Dailor, guitarist Nick Johnston, and keyboardist João Nogueira. Founding guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds was a member of Mastodon from 2000 until his departure in March 2025. Sadly, Hinds died in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta on August 20, 2025, at the age of 51.

Since their inception, Mastodon has released eight studio albums. Their debut, Remission (2002), was widely praised for its innovative sound. This success was followed by Leviathan (2004), a concept album inspired by Moby-Dick. Leviathan was acclaimed by critics and often hailed as one of the year’s best metal albums for its bold musical and lyrical exploration.

Mastodon’s trajectory continued its upward trend with the release of their third album, Blood Mountain, in 2006. The album received further critical acclaim and produced “Colony of Birchmen,” which earned Mastodon their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2007. This was followed by Crack the Skye in 2009 and The Hunter in 2011, which broke into the top 10 of the Billboard 200. In 2014, their album Once More ‘Round the Sun climbed even higher, reaching number six on the Billboard 200.

Emperor of Sand, released in 2017, featured one of the band’s most successful singles, “Show Yourself,” while the album’s opening track, “Sultan’s Curse,” earned Mastodon their first Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2018. The band followed with its eighth studio album, Hushed and Grim, in 2021. Mastodon’s ninth studio album, Marrow Deep, is scheduled for release on August 28, 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the band following Hinds’ departure and death.

# 10 – Crusher Destroyer

Starting off the list is a noteworthy track from Remission, Mastodon’s debut album. While Mastodon’s later work is often seen as more refined, this early piece shows their burgeoning talent and potential, despite its rough edges. Though brief at just two minutes, this track packs a punch with its raw, heavy sound, embodying the band’s early experimentation with bold, innovative musical styles. Even at this nascent stage, it’s clear Mastodon was on the verge of defining its distinct niche in the metal genre.

# 9 – Creature Lives

This track from Mastodon’s 2011 album The Hunter features Brann Dailor on lead vocals and delves deeply into progressive rock territory. “Creature Lives” marked the first time Dailor composed and sang a Mastodon song in its entirety. Distinct from Mastodon’s usual metal sound, the song offers a melodic and warm experience with its progressive and less heavy approach.

# 8 – Aqua Dementia

This track from Mastodon’s Leviathan exemplifies the band at their most intense. It begins with a complex, noodly-prog guitar riff before rapidly transforming into a high-energy hardcore piece. Featuring guest vocals from Scott Kelly of Neurosis—a frequent collaborator on Mastodon’s albums, the track incorporates elements reminiscent of his band. To this day, Leviathan is celebrated as a modern classic in progressive metal.

# 7 – Crack the Skye

The title track from Mastodon’s fourth album features a return collaboration with Scott Kelly. This poignant piece is dedicated to drummer Brann Dailor’s sister, Skye, who tragically took her own life at just fourteen years old. Dailor personally invited Kelly to contribute vocals, and the experience proved to be emotionally intense. Drawing from such deep personal sorrow, the song stands as a profound and moving expression within their discography.

# 6 – Stargasm

Here’s a selection from Mastodon’s fifth studio album, The Hunter. This track offers a dirge-like tune paired with surreal lyrics. Produced by Mike Elizondo, known for his work with mainstream acts like Maroon 5 and Avenged Sevenfold, the album achieved considerable commercial success, reaching number ten on the Billboard 200.

# 5 – The Hunter

Here is the title track from Mastodon’s fifth album, The Hunter. The song and the album are named in honor of Brent Hinds’ brother, who tragically died while hunting during the making of the album. Hinds lends his vocals to this track, conveying his deep sorrow through the melancholic tones of the music. Similar to Crack the Skye, this song draws profound inspiration from personal tragedy, resulting in a powerfully moving musical composition.

# 4 – The Czar

Here we have the band at their most progressive with a track that spans almost eleven minutes. The song begins with a spacey introduction before transitioning into a much more intense second half. As it nears the end, it circles back to the ethereal, trippy qualities of the opening. The composition is structured into four distinct parts—”Usurper,” “Escape,” “Martyr,” and “Spiral”—showcasing a dynamic range within a single track.

# 3 – March of the Fire Ants

This track, the first single from Remission, remains one of the heaviest and finest works by the band. The song’s remarkably heavy sound heralded the arrival of one of the greatest metal bands of the 21st century. All band members contribute to a vigorous and aggressive performance, with a standout, beautifully melodic section in the middle. Although the sound on this record is less polished compared to their later work, it retains a raw magnificence that stands strong on its own.

# 2 – Blood and Thunder

Just shy of the top spot, we have the track that unmistakably catapulted Mastodon into global recognition. Serving as the opening track from Leviathan, it is widely considered one of the greatest album openers in metal history, and arguably across all music genres. Themed around Moby-Dick, the song reaches a climactic high point with Clutch frontman Neil Fallon’s guest appearance, where he delivers the now-iconic line, “SPLIT YOUR LUNGS WITH BLOOD AND THUNDER!”

# 1 – Colony of Birchmen

Taking the number one spot is a standout single from Mastodon’s third album, Blood Mountain, released in 2006. This track features backing vocals from Josh Homme, the frontman of Queens of the Stone Age and former guitarist of the cult nineties stoner band Kyuss. It became Mastodon’s first single to reach Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, peaking at number thirty-three, and earned the band’s first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. The song was ultimately bested by Slayer’s “Eyes of the Insane.”

Read More: Complete List Of Mastodon Albums