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

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  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 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.
  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 getting better and better.
  3. Raul
    Sep 17, 2006
    9
    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!
  4. BrettW.
    Feb 10, 2007
    10
    Blood Mountain is an amazing complex and rich testament to progressive metal. Long live Mastodon.
  5. CrazyWarehouseguy
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    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.
  6. JakeD
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    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.
  7. LucB
    Sep 20, 2006
    9
    Awesome music from an awesome band. Period.
  8. JasonP
    Feb 7, 2007
    10
    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.
  9. MatteoB.
    Jun 6, 2007
    10
    A masterpiece
  10. Shinya
    Oct 15, 2006
    9
    Very addictive. Quality album. Best metal album of 2006.
  11. donnyG
    Oct 15, 2006
    10
    Brilliant & Epic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  12. Kamil
    Dec 3, 2006
    8
    Best metal album of the year. They rock hard and don't avoid melody. Hardcore mixes with progressive, trash and some jazzy licks.
  13. JohnD
    Oct 3, 2006
    9
    Even if you are a pretentious asshole when it comes to music, you'll love this album. I know because I am one.
  14. Tommy
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    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.
  15. GuyH
    Oct 9, 2006
    9
    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 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
  16. Cables
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    I've never heard an album like this. Possibly the greatest metal album ever made.
  17. PanosB.
    Sep 14, 2006
    8
    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 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
  18. RaferQ
    Sep 15, 2006
    9
    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.
  19. LarryS
    Sep 15, 2006
    10
    Every song is good.
  20. Gilgamesh
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    This is the most awesome metal I've heard in a while.
  21. DeclanM
    Sep 18, 2006
    9
    superb album not as good as leviathan as i like the heavier side of mastodon but definitely one of my albums of the year
  22. JoeC
    Sep 20, 2006
    10
    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...
  23. AlexF
    Sep 20, 2006
    9
    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.
  24. Bill
    Sep 20, 2006
    10
    Metal album of the year. Period.
  25. Jgc
    Sep 26, 2006
    10
    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.
  26. ToddW
    Sep 27, 2006
    9
    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 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
  27. JonathanM
    Feb 3, 2007
    10
    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.
  28. ShaneM
    Apr 6, 2007
    10
    Every song is worth listening to over and over again
  29. AlbertoP
    Jun 24, 2007
    10
    FUCKING INCREDIBLE LP :D
  30. SteveS.
    Jan 12, 2008
    10
    The most original and and interesting album of the decade. Brilliant.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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]
  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.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    Yes, sometimes more is better. [21 Sep 2006, p.82]
See all critic reviews »