Blood Mountain
by Mastodon
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Sep 12, 2006
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    Hearing Blood Mountain in its entirety is like awaking from a coma to discover you have working ears. [Oct 2006, p.206]
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  2. Playlouder
    100
    Put simply: there isn't a bad track on 'Blood Mountain', which will be seen as the metal release of this year, on whichever level you care to mention.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    100
    If you’ve any interest, whatsoever, in rock music in any of its subgenre forms, you need to afford Blood Mountain some considerable attention.
  5. PopMatters
    100
    With Blood Mountain, Mastodon have completed a three-album arc that most young bands can only dream of, culminating in a record that’s as thrilling as it is multifaceted, as melodic as it is bludgeoning.
  6. The A.V. Club
    100
    Blood Mountain is terrifying in scope as well as execution.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    One could go on for hours about the qualities of each individual song, but it is the way they coalesce as a whole that makes Blood Mountain an incredible listen from start to finish.
  8. Paste Magazine
    90
    A study in elemental force that rides the line between thrash and plod with enlightened originality and compositional skill to spare. [Dec 2006, p.89]
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  9. Pitchfork
    87
    If Blood Mountain, their brilliantly upsized and unrelenting third album, doesn't confirm their position as the greatest big-time metal crew on earth, I demand a state-by-state recount.
  10. Rolling Stone
    80
    Yes, sometimes more is better. [21 Sep 2006, p.82]
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  11. The New York Times
    80
    "Blood Mountain" is a strong record by a powerful band nearing an ideal of cohesion.
  12. AllMusic
    80
    Blood Mountain is everything fans both hoped for and feared. Mastodon has dug even deeper in its foray into prog metal, but without losing an ounce of their power, literacy, or willingness to indulge in hardcore punk, doom, and death metal.
  13. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    A truly original, innovative, heavy-as-hell, interesting heavy metal record that you can listen to more than twice without wanting to smash it to a million pieces with an axe.
  14. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    The perfect entwining of brain and brawn. [9 Sep 2006, p.37]
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  15. Uncut
    80
    Mastodon mostly veer clear of the slick atmospherics that turn other technical metal bands into post-rock wallpaper. [Oct 2006, p.117]
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  16. ShakingThrough.net
    80
    Intense, invigorating and beguiling.
  17. cokemachineglow
    77
    Most of the songs show the band in top form.
  18. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Major-label metal hasn't sounded this hungry since Metallica got haircuts. [20 Oct 2006, p.81]
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  19. Q Magazine
    70
    Baffling, but exhilarating. [Nov 2006, p.144]
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  20. Stylus Magazine
    67
    An album of many highlights but not much visceral or emotional impact.
  21. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Blood Mountain is a big slab to grab, especially shakier bits such as Josh Homme stinking up "Colony of Birchmen."

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best Album of 2006
34
#34 Most Discussed Album of 2006
40
#40 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 180 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 166 out of 180
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 180
  3. Negative: 12 out of 180
  1. PurplePlains
    Aug 10, 2011
    10
    Arguably Mastodon's finest album, an absolute masterclass in experimentation and progressive metal that blows other bands clear out of theArguably Mastodon's finest album, an absolute masterclass in experimentation and progressive metal that blows other bands clear out of the water. An astounding musical achievement that deserves the recognition and reputation it has gathered since it's release. This is a record that every metal fan should own in his or her respective collection.… Full Review »
  2. KirkS
    Oct 24, 2006
    9
    Mastodon still isn't getting the attention they deserve. They're the best new rock band of the last several years and they keep Mastodon still isn't getting the attention they deserve. They're the best new rock band of the last several years and they keep getting better and better.… Full Review »
  3. Andremax
    Jul 16, 2018
    10
    Lot of creativity and technical + twisted compass + frenetic and perfect drum lines that sounds like solos + two very well intertwined guitarsLot of creativity and technical + twisted compass + frenetic and perfect drum lines that sounds like solos + two very well intertwined guitars + vocal and production enhanced in relation of past album + more guitar solos than previously albums = this excellent piece. Mastodon consecrate themselves as one of the best actual metal bands.… Full Review »
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