Blood Mountain is an amazing complex and rich testament to progressive metal. Long live Mastodon.

Quite average.

You have to be joking. According to The Guardian, Paris Hilton's 'fine' new album is better than Blood Mountain. I have no more respect for the system.

wow this is an amazing album. Not only the best metal album of the year but the best album of the year. You have to check this out.

Awesome music from an awesome band. Period.

So I read about these guys in my guitar mags for the last couple of years. Never really gave them a chance until January of 2007 and now I can't get over how good their drummer is. Now I hum their riffs all the time everyday...something is compelling about them.

A masterpiece

Very addictive. Quality album. Best metal album of 2006.

Brilliant & Epic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the worst album of the world: the worst sounds and the worst music of the worst band ¿What happened with Mastodon?

This is a horrible mess. There's barely a decent song in here - it's one trite riff after another, and some meandering vocals. What the hell happened to Mastodon?

Best metal album of the year. They rock hard and don't avoid melody. Hardcore mixes with progressive, trash and some jazzy licks.

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.

Even if you are a pretentious asshole when it comes to music, you'll love this album. I know because I am one.

I am your typical music snob, mostly listening to classical music, Radiohead or Pink Floyd, and condemning the rest as junk. But this album.... is very good. The music is actually composed here, not put together formulaically as it is mostly done today.

Not just one of the best metal albums of the year - this is one of the best metal albums EVER. It is right up there with 'Master of Puppets', 'Rust In Peace', 'Vulgar Display...', 'Sky Valley' - you name it. Technically flawless - the only reason I haven't awarded this a 10 is because this album showed such an incredible progression from the previous album (which is still awesome) that I suspect the band could well have the potential to top this mighty peak.… Expand

I've never heard an album like this. Possibly the greatest metal album ever made.

This time all things are much more clearer. The band decided to touch a larger -but not exactly more commercial- audience. Brick by riff builds a strong familiar sound who's moving honestly at the edge of proggresivve metal (hardcore and stoner is also here along with a small garage touch in the production). This record demand to be heard a lot of times but not all the time. Its not the masterpiece that a lot of people talking about.The -no surprises- lyrics are walking the same path of their previous album "Leviathan". For me the highlight is "The sleeping giant" that shows the potential energy this musicians have of making much more cosmic and human music that will defy the forming blocks we're all in. Ofcourse the fans will love it and their girlfriends hate it (the songs are very complex attacks that needs tons of volume). Great cover by the way.… Expand

This is an album that no metal fan should be without. It has all the right elements. It's technical, deep, heavy and moving all in one. Worth the money.

Every song is good.

This is the most awesome metal I've heard in a while.

superb album not as good as leviathan as i like the heavier side of mastodon but definitely one of my albums of the year

The Guardian reviewer said in the same review that he thought heavy metal was "one of the worst genres ever". Maybe not the best person to review a metal album...

This album is a must for all of those people who are heavy music fans, but gave up on new metal years ago, content with their classic metal collections. This band injects new life into a genre which has been watered down in recent years with boring and redundant albums from new and old bands, alike. Fresh, smart and HEAVY.

Metal album of the year. Period.

Spin magazine has no say in reviewing complex metal music. This is not a pop record. Mastodon is more compareable to Miles Davis, than the silly music glorified in Spin magazine. There are many rememberable moments on this record , but one should challenge their ear before making judgement.

Grab the nearest strongly-rooted tree boys and girls and hang on, THIS is the soundtrack to Armaggedon. Its sonic impact makes Black Sabbath sound like The Archies. Once a decade a band comes along and reminds us that great metal isn't extinct. Mastodon is that band. There are so many insane Brent Hinds' riffs on this album, you'll lose count by the third track. And a strong case can be made that Brann Dailor is one of the top five drummers to ever sit down behind a kit. Even the cover art is fabulous. Anyone who is comparing this to Supertramp deserves a Guardian for when they write.… Expand

This album is amazing from the beginning to the very end. Mastodon really outdid themselves on this one, and we can expect even greater things from them in the future.

Every song is worth listening to over and over again

FUCKING INCREDIBLE LP :D

The most original and and interesting album of the decade. Brilliant.

This is THE perfect metal album. Bloody brilliant!

These guys are insanely talented musicians. Just think of what they could do if they had a legitimate lead singer!

It's an impressive album, without a doubt the metal album of the year, but after awhile it seems like the band was trying to impress guitar magazines more than working on writing actual songs. It is pretty awesome to hear the band go completely nuts, but it all starts to blur together after awhile. Leviathan was a much more cohesive album.

im amazed, they relly sounds like a beast..a Mastodon. You see it in the cover you hear it on the cd.

For once, the hype is real. An utterly amazing album. Any serious fan of metal - or rock music in general - needs to get Blood Mountain right now. Note to The Guardian: stick to Britpop, please. It's obvious you only reviewed this album because the American press are so taken with it, and you didn't know what you were getting into. An album with balls must haven really thrown you for a loop. Cue up some Coldplay, drink some tea, and get back into your comfort microcosm. Leave the adventurous listening to those who are prepared for it. Thanks.… Expand

mastodon has the power to take over the metal scene.

Absolutely their best! Mastodon embodies progressive by actually evolving with each album. The move to major label could not compromise their sound. Their mission to crush all preconceptions of their music is on point. Great album!

I'm in shock. After listening to this disc for two days straight I'm convinced that this is the greatest rock (?) album released this year. On paper these songs shouldn't work at all, but somehow their relentless major/minor-tempo-time signature f*ckery only strengthens every composition. This band pulls off the unique trick of remaining melodic and bone crushingly evil all at the same time. I'm not a fan of metal/death metal and somehow this CD managed to become my favorite disc of the year. My pile of new indie releases are gathering dust until I get this album out of my blood.… Expand

Clearly, the reviewer Jamie Thomson from the guardian is a moron...as can be seen by him being the only person to give this less than an 80! What a joke! This album rocks, and i don't even like this genre much!

Not the best Mastodon album but still, it sounds damn good. Didnt quite like prog metal until I found mastodon on my computer and it changed my entire vision on music.The best ones in my opinion are " Sleeping Giant" and "This Mortal Soil"

This album is bad a**. That Guardian review is way off the mark & should be struck off the record as a complete aberration. The Guradian review totally screwed Mastodon's Metacritic average....that sux....By this album NOW!

2nd best metal album I've heard this year, after Agalloch's "Ashes In The Grain". I don't see where all the 100% reviews are coming from, it has its flaws, but maybe i need to give it a few more listens. The guy from the Guardian who gave it a 20 probably was drooling over the new fiery furnaces record or some other boring indie-pop bullshit.

wow. this album kicks ass. I love the progressive touches and "colony of birchmen" is one of the best metal songs i've heard in a long time on one of the best metal albums i've heard in a long time.

A tiny bit less heavy and a lot more prog than Leviathan but no less impressive. This is one of those albums that grabs your attention, demands relistening and gets better each time you hear it. The album is almost hypnotic.

Best metal album of the last 20 years. If your band isn't trendy "indie" music spin doesn't have any use for you.

The Guardian and Allmusic Guide gave Paris Fucking Hilton better reviews than this album. Come the fuck on. This album kicks ass. If you like heavy metal music at all, you can't really lose with BLOOD MOUNTAIN.

What the hell has Rob R been listening to?

Blood Mountian is phenomenal. There's at least 5-7 powerhouse metal songs in it. I can honestly say that this is the most glorified metal band since metallica's reign in the 80's. Aside from that, they're ever potentially greater than iron maiden and metallica, and blow the lid off slayer and pantera. Next to Black Sabbath, they're the crowning kings of Heavy Metal.

Absolutely incredible.

This is the finest album released in 2006. It's complexity, and tone are unparalelled in metal today, and possibly ever. If you even slightly enjoy music, you should obtain a copy of this phenominal album.

A random assortment of riffs and notes with little sense of continuity. There are no songs per se, just section after pointless section. Boring at best, frustrating and unlistenable at worst.

the most creative metal album in a decade, it's features some of the best drumming in years

By far the best metal album of the year, maybe even the decade. It seems moving to warner bros has'nt costed their integrity. the smartest album of any genre this year.

The best metal album of the last ten years. Mastodon is the most talented and smartest band in metal today. "Blood Mountain" is one part The Mars Volta, one part Metallica, and one part ancient mythology all rolled into one. Heavy as hell and relentless.

Over the top without being wanky, heavy without being dull, and driven without them taking it too seriously. If you hate this record... you obviously have your ears only painted on.

One of the greatest metal songs of late years.

Not nearly as goo d as levanthian, or remission, there ae some great tracks on here for sure, but Mastodon is clearly getting less hardcore and much more mainstream, hope that this stops.

Great album and an instant classic. Its become a standard that I judge everything else by. The drums continue to blow my mind.

I am no metal fan, but Mastodon makes me happy.

It's hard to sum up an album that's truely a masterpeice when one's running off of 3 hours of sleep. Oh and no, my sleep depravation is not why I appreciate the album. I initially purchased the album getting a cheap thrill out of the tounge in cheek quality of the titlle and band name. I though 'what could be more "metal" (Insert high pitched pseudo rawk yell) than that?' and bought it when I saw it was on clearence. Little did I know that it would Save my life. The album proved to be a masterwork of complex and highly emotive energy. It's a heavy album that doesnt let up, fast, furious and quite exhausting. OH and if you'd like to know what I normally listen to (for the non-metal fan): Leonard Cohen Big Star The Beach Boys Wilco My Bloody Valentine Fugazi Meaning, this isnt just for metal fans (not that this sounds like any of them).… Expand

I notice very high reviews and very low reviews. As a long time mastodon fan, and a fan of heavy music and music in general, this is thier BEST album. Production is where it needed to be and the songs are all good. Some of these critics are off the mark. This is just a great album.

A really good album. Relentless thrash riffs with enough prog tendancies to mix things up, but no where near entering artsy territory. Kind of like a modern And Justice For All. But metal album of the year? Album of the year? Not even close. Blood Mountain is front to back solid, but never earth shattering. There are much better bands out there, but i'm interested to see where this band goes.… Expand

This album is ridiculously good.

This album owns

Making metal matter. This is a whole other level.

are you f@k!ng serious guardian. What a COMPLETE distortion/overeaction. How can that review even be included.

a 10 point distortion by a disgruntled closed minded fool

100, 80, 80 ,80....20?! Syrupy vocals? What drugs do they hand out at the guardian?

Awesome awesome awesome. Nothing more needs to be said.

I agree with Amazon.com's rave review for this album (which has not been included here for some reason). This disc is just pure awesomeness.

Mastodon Rulz.The only reason i'm not giving it a ten is the 16 min gap between the end of song 12 and the hidden message from Josh Homme.

Awsome

I don't usually "get" metal but I can't stop listening to this album. The playing is outstanding.

Mastodon are a great band and the album overall is a 10.

The 20/100 review got it right, even if it was a bit harsh: Mastodon ditched the tectonic, visceral force of Leviathan for technical acrobatics and flashy wankery, something that many other, more technically proficient bands outplay them at anyway. Mastodon were best when they knew the power of the riff and the power of pure fucking METAL; this is an unwanted sideventure into wankage. Colony of Birchmen and Siberian Divide are cool, I suppose, but Capillarian Crest is just pointless wankery that drives me up a fucking wall. Still a decent album, and better than most mainstream metal.… Expand

Of the 11 tracks on Blood Mountain, Mastodon produce several MODERN metal masterpeices. Combinding the low growls, screams and hard gravel singing of bassist Troy Sanders and guitarist Brent Hinds with the poweful and fast druming of Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher also on guitars, Mastodon cant be stopped. With only a small dip into the great rock ballad with their song "Mortal Soil" Mastodon keep it rockin hard while also bringing a new listening experiences to not only metal and rock lovers but to some of the mainstream. A must buy for all!… Expand

i'm a huge metal fan so i couldn't miss this album it is just amazing and i dont know how ppl could hate on this band or this album i love it and dont understand how ppl can't