Crack The Skye
by Mastodon
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Mar 24, 2009
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 198 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 179 out of 198
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 198
  3. Negative: 15 out of 198

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  1. jafogrits
    Apr 24, 2012
    10
    This album is a masterpiece from start to finish. Mastodon continue to redefine the progressive metal sound. I feel this will be the album all other Mastodon albums will be judged by for years to come.
  2. JohnA
    Sep 21, 2009
    10
    From rapid crushing riffs to shimmering melodies Crack The Skye has it all, something for everything. The interplay between Troy Sanders and Brent Hinds with the vocals ia fantastic, and the guitar solos are astounding. There's twists and turns, here Mastodon take you on a thrilling journey through beautiful soundscapes.
  3. skyminster
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    Crack the Skye is filled to the brim with fantastic heaviness and incredible prog music. It's also brilliant musically, showing off the band's impressive musical ability. It's Mastodon's masterpiece, and one of my favourite albums.

    97/100 (rounded to 10/10).
  4. Smenkharon
    Jun 12, 2009
    4
    Huge disappointment for me. Too much melody and not enough rhythmic pounding. Prog-ish noodling instead of compelling riffing. Weak vocals. Nowhere near the replay value of the last three discs.
  5. SteveK
    Apr 18, 2009
    5
    This album is same old generic metal made slightly more interesting with Mastadon's excellent abilities to rock hard. It's structured differently but it's a tired sound, mainly. Longer, toned down, slight song changes, same old chug chug little mastadon-lick here isn't that creative. Listen to the best of this year so far, Zu. You will hear how metal sounds when This album is same old generic metal made slightly more interesting with Mastadon's excellent abilities to rock hard. It's structured differently but it's a tired sound, mainly. Longer, toned down, slight song changes, same old chug chug little mastadon-lick here isn't that creative. Listen to the best of this year so far, Zu. You will hear how metal sounds when it's actually progressing.… Expand
  6. codyk
    Mar 25, 2009
    10
    This album is amazing. The first time I heard it I was a little weary because it is NOTHING like the past 3 albums. With this all being said you can listen to Crack the Skye and not hear a bad thing about it. I am going to see them May 5th and I hope they play the whole album from start to finish.
  7. JoeS
    Mar 31, 2009
    9
    Another great album by Mastodon. Of all the bands in today's music scene, very few can get you as excited for a new album as Mastodon can. This one is a very ambitious, epic release, and they have pulled it off masterfully. "Divinations" is the closest thing on the album to a straght-on rocker in the style of "The Wolf is Loose" or "Blood and Thunder". Most of the other tracks are Another great album by Mastodon. Of all the bands in today's music scene, very few can get you as excited for a new album as Mastodon can. This one is a very ambitious, epic release, and they have pulled it off masterfully. "Divinations" is the closest thing on the album to a straght-on rocker in the style of "The Wolf is Loose" or "Blood and Thunder". Most of the other tracks are more mellow and atmospheric, suggesting influences from all over the musical spectrum. Mastodon's songwriting really shines on this album - they are without a doubt the modern masters of the concept album. Although this one is great, I slightly prefer the sound of their previous 2 albums, which had a good balance between the screams and the clean vocals (this album has almost entirely clean vocals). Anyway, I give them props for trying something new and expanding their sound, although I would prefer if their next release was a little more "metal".… Expand
  8. KazemE
    Apr 24, 2009
    10
    An album that gets better each time you listen to it. What makes it better is that they released it with an instrumental version: Same music, sans vocals. Brilliant.
  9. KevinR
    Apr 3, 2009
    9
    Though more focused on experimentation and prog-rock style than previous Mastodon work, Crack the Skye is an absolutely grandiose album. More than anything, it shows that Mastodon has that rare ability in metal to transcend its own genre, putting them on a stage with such luminaries as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Anthrax.
  10. RichardH
    Mar 27, 2009
    10
    Fantastic. A natural progression of their work, in many ways it is their best. It may not be quite up there with Leviathan in terms of classic status, but this album is damn close. It only gets better with repeated listens, and the DVD (for the most part) truly enhances the experience. The lawnmower scene in the DVD is friggin weird, though. *shrug*
  11. DianaF
    Mar 27, 2009
    10
    This band has not failed me yet.
  12. JonnyD
    Mar 28, 2009
    9
    its different. its epic. just listen. 3 times will let you decide if u want to go 4.
  13. PR
    Apr 1, 2009
    10
    Best metal album since Blood Mountain. I can hear the metal purists name calling Mastodon as "sell outs"... I don't know why Metacritic isn't putting any full 100/100 Crack The Skye reviews on the list. There are plenty. And from well known sources too.
  14. RandyM
    Apr 10, 2009
    10
    While, arguably, not as good as "Blood Mountain", Crack the Skye is still an amazing metal album. Mastodon may be the premier metal band of this generation. Period.
  15. JoshK
    Apr 9, 2009
    10
    An absolute sonic masterpiece. "Oblivion" is an instant rock classic, "The Czar" is yet another spiraling ten minute plus Mastodon epic which, in the same album, is topped by the steamrolling 13 minute "The Last Baron". "Divinations" is a harkening to heavier Mastodon, but after several listens the atmosphere of this album grows and gloomy, ghastly tracks like "Ghost of Karelia" leave me An absolute sonic masterpiece. "Oblivion" is an instant rock classic, "The Czar" is yet another spiraling ten minute plus Mastodon epic which, in the same album, is topped by the steamrolling 13 minute "The Last Baron". "Divinations" is a harkening to heavier Mastodon, but after several listens the atmosphere of this album grows and gloomy, ghastly tracks like "Ghost of Karelia" leave me listening over and over again and wondering what the hell Mastodon will do next.… Expand
  16. JohnS
    Jun 13, 2009
    10
    The best album I have heard in a long, long time.
  17. DanielH
    Jun 16, 2009
    10
    Awesome, absolutely awesome. Remids me of the first time I heard Metallica's "Ride The Lightning". Kazem is right, it gets better every time you listen to it.
  18. DannyF
    Jul 7, 2009
    10
    Amazing! Just lite up a joint and slip into Oblivion. I'm glad Mastodon doesn't pump out the same album every time! Every album has been skillfully crafted, and Crack The Skye displays the band beautiful textures and song crafting ability in fine detail.
  19. ThomP
    Mar 24, 2009
    10
    Logical next step for Mastodon. Solid from top to bottom, and The Czar is UNBELIEVABLE.
  20. DanielM
    Mar 25, 2009
    10
    Just read the Q magazine review to see why this has as low a score as it does. Reviewers talk about how incredible it is and then say thats a problem.
  21. Chris
    Mar 26, 2009
    10
    Stunning work from these guys--again. Much praise is due to Mastodon for pushing the envelope.
  22. Schmidty15
    Mar 27, 2009
    9
    Somewhere between the Allman Bros and Slayer lies Mastodon. They're the most refreshing band in metal music these days.
  23. PaulL
    Mar 27, 2009
    9
    We'll be listening to this in twenty years time. That's all I have to say about it.
  24. jessel
    Mar 28, 2009
    10
    Screw the hardcore devotees that will call this a sellout because of their own mindless opinion of what THEIR band should sound like!
  25. DylanH.
    Mar 30, 2009
    9
    I've always liked Mastodon... but this album is one of their best... Slit your lungs with Blood and Thunder Mastodon Rocks.
  26. A.Taylor
    Mar 31, 2009
    8
    Great metal album, this album gets better with each listen, true talent shines through with the bands new album.
  27. JasonW
    Apr 9, 2009
    10
    One of the best albums I have heard in awhile. The songs are all thoughtful and technical beyond much of what is out today. It is a nice departure from the norm these days. Still classic Mastodon for me.
  28. ChipC
    May 12, 2009
    10
    More music, less screaming. Great tunes played by great instrumentalists.
  29. OlegK
    May 9, 2009
    9
    Must Or Don't listen? No question. This is a relic! Certainly worth a cracking the Hinds' brain in Vegas!
  30. paulc
    Jun 16, 2009
    9
    Wow. i haven't been this hooked on a metal album in a long time. great melodies, brutal passages and an interesting theme. their best yet by a long shot.
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Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best Album of 2009
23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2009
41
#41 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Blender
    80
    Mastodon present a prog-metal concept that would make Stephen Hawking bang his head.
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    If this all sounds a bit heavy going, Crack the Skye offers plenty of simple pleasures as Mastodon heap on the musical melodrama, with a more-is-more approach to fretwork that's bound to see them liven up moshpits when they support Metallica this summer.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    There will be naysayers among the band's extreme, tatted legions. But Crack the Skye is an awesome display.
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