Primal Fear

Meshuggah

Jorn

Firebrands

Eluveitie

A.O.T.W.

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Music Link Trades

1. With Intent

2. Waking Hour

3. Box of Bones

4. FleshForTheBeast

5. Garagezilla

6. L.R.A.

7. Domesticide

8. eDDie cIZa

9. SCSI

10. hell firesclub 666

11. Shimera

12. Onesdemise

13. Sciatica

14. crush your enemies

15. Lovers Revolt

more?

Band:Mastodon DVD:The Workhorse Chronicles Released by:Relapse Writer: Mark Carras Media: MySpace Click Album Cover To Buy Now

Now many of you know that I am not a big fan of Mastodon. They stole their name from a Christian Rock band from the early 80’s that featured ex-Kansas vocalist John Elefante. They have a sound I seem to hear during about 90% of Headbangers Ball. They get hyped up like they are the hottest and most original thing to ever come from heavy music. Maybe it’s the hype more than anything that bugs the shit out of me? However, I am a glutton for punishment so when I saw they had a DVD out I just had to see if maybe I was missing something. One of the biggest things on this that bug me is how the drummer sits with his arm around some Iron Maiden mirror like it was his hot date for the night. He sits with his arm around this damn thing for the entire three hour DVD! There is never an explanation as to what the damn thing has to do with Mastodon or why he is holding it. What the fuck is that about? That is pretty much the only really retarded thing on this DVD though. Even someone who hates the band won’t be able to find much wrong with this thing than that.

One thing I give the band is that this thing is over 3 hours of footage. The live footage is almost all bootleg quality, but even I don’t count that against them. The reason is that this is going to be pretty damn cool to any fan of the band because it’s all about the history of the band and how they got to where they are now. This whole thing is one big history lesson on the band, the bands that led up to Mastodon, and how they brought the band to become more than anything they had ever done before. Sure they could have just recorded a live show with full production and made it all slick, but if you are a fan of the band this is going to be so much better. The interview footage is pretty much all new, but it works well to glue it all together. I also have to say that I found the on screen menus to be done better than most DVDs I review. Not only were they nicely animated, but they were also very easy to navigate. As far as what this offers to fans, this is one solid release. Even though I’m not a fan, I have to say that this is a well done DVD.

So who should buy this? This is something for the hardcore fans of Mastodon. If you don’t like the band, this will not win you over. I still can’t stand the band myself. I still find them to be as boring as watching paint dry in a humid room. The vocals are about as weak as it gets and they all just kind of lay flat over the music. My opinion of this band has not changed at all, but the Mastodon fans I am sure do not give two shits about my opinion. This DVD is for those fans and it is well done. This DVD did not Rock My Monkey, but it will be one of the most important DVD the band will ever release. Anyone who already likes this band should pick this thing up right away.

Band:Mastodon DVD:The Workhorse Chronicles Released by:Relapse Writer: Mark Carras Media: MySpace Click Album Cover To Buy Now

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