Top 10 Mastodon Songs

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

Mastodon, established in 2000, has emerged as one of the leading progressive metal bands of the 21st century. The band consists of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, vocalist/guitarist Brett Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher, and drummer Brann Dailor. Since their inception, they have released seven 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 the album of the year 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 not only received further critical acclaim but also achieved commercial success, earning a Grammy nomination 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 and producing several hit singles. Their most recent effort, Emperor of Sand, released in 2017, features their most successful single yet, “Show Yourself.”

# 10 – Crusher Destroyer

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

# 9 – Creature Lives

This track from Mastodon’s 2009 album Crack the Skye, features Brann Dailor on vocals and delves into the realm of progressive rock, drawing inspiration from the likes of Pink Floyd and King Crimson. The lyrics are influenced by classic B-movies, creating a unique narrative layer. Distinct from Mastodon’s usual metal sound, this song offers a melodic and warm experience, quickly becoming a favorite in live performances 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 the progressive metal legends 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. The album, produced by Mike Elizondo—who is known for his work with mainstream acts like Maroon 5 and Avenged Sevenfold—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 after Brett Hinds’ brother, who tragically died in a hunting accident just before the album was released. 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 ten minutes. The song begins with a spacey four-minute 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, each titled as its own chapter, 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. Not only was it Mastodon’s first single to achieve significant commercial success, but it also earned a nomination for a metal Grammy Award, though it was ultimately bested by Slayer’s “Eyes of the Insane.”

Read More: Complete List Of Mastodon Albums