Emperor of Sand
by Mastodon
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Mar 31, 2017
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 76
  3. Negative: 6 out of 76
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  1. NicklasW
    Apr 27, 2017
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Emperor of Sand is the 7th album by Mastodon, which tries to improve their convincing song-craft, which they have built since "The Hunter". As a fan of "Once more for the sun" I was excited to see if they could get it and improve their "new style" even more. Unhappy that this has not happened, the album is catchy and the abstract songwriting around the cancer-oriented album theme and technical instrumentals, make the album still solid and pleasant. The only problem I have with this album is that it feels worse than "Once More Around The Sun" cause of to edgy songs like "Show Yourself"
    Best Songs: Steambreather, Jaguar God, Word to the Wise
    Worst Songs:Show Yourself, Clandestiny
    Recommendations: I would recommend this Album defnetly for Fans of Mastodon and Metal and Rock listeners. its also a good get-into Album just like "The Hunter" and could even appeal to people who dont usually listen to Metal.    … Expand
  2. Zysoth
    May 2, 2017
    10
    Listening to this album, I definitely had a sense of pressure during this album. With the concept of Cancer being the main premise. My favorite song has to be 'Andromeda' With that very Blood Mountain like riff during the bridge of the song. Overall, I think this would have to be one of my new favorites. And for sure something to keep me occupied as the pop storm blows by.
  3. Pink_Zeppelin
    Jun 8, 2017
    10
    Incredibly melodious for Mastodon, but much heavier in my ears than Once More and especially The Hunter. The combination that just works. Sultan's Curse just might be my favourite here, wonderful opener. Show Yourself is the most polarising song here, with the beginning just not being Mastodonish enough. In the middle section however, the song has some pretty good heavy riffs.Incredibly melodious for Mastodon, but much heavier in my ears than Once More and especially The Hunter. The combination that just works. Sultan's Curse just might be my favourite here, wonderful opener. Show Yourself is the most polarising song here, with the beginning just not being Mastodonish enough. In the middle section however, the song has some pretty good heavy riffs. Steambreather crushes you with monstrous riff while Roots Remain has amazing melodies and is lyrically my favourite here, really shows the helplessness and supports both the storyline and the cancer theme well. I'll also mention Andromeda and Jaguar God as the highlights of the second half of the album, although I think all the songs from the beginning to the end are great. Consistent album, and although it didn't drastically change their sound (Mastodon still Mastodons as before), it did add the melodious flavour to their music.… Expand
  4. PapaEmeritus
    May 9, 2017
    6
    My least favorite album of theirs. Every song seems like one that just barely didn't make it on any of their other albums. Also, it's too derivative...of their own music. It sounds like they are now stuck in a rut.
  5. matti12389
    Apr 18, 2017
    9
    I don't know why the starting songs just won't convince me that the album rocks ("Show Yourself" to be exact) but the more Mastodon pulls the strings the more they find their way into my head with "Steambreather" so harmonic, "Roots Remain" so lovely, then "Word to the Wise" paves the way for the "Ancient Kingdom" to remain. And in the end comes an atmospheric feature of Scott KellyI don't know why the starting songs just won't convince me that the album rocks ("Show Yourself" to be exact) but the more Mastodon pulls the strings the more they find their way into my head with "Steambreather" so harmonic, "Roots Remain" so lovely, then "Word to the Wise" paves the way for the "Ancient Kingdom" to remain. And in the end comes an atmospheric feature of Scott Kelly "Scorpion Breath". i knew boys won't disappoint me.… Expand
  6. Palinodia
    May 5, 2017
    6
    The album is not bad, but its not good either. In my opinion its another try for a ''crack the skye'' album success. They try to sound proggy, aggressive and emotional together. I like the focus on their vocals and especially Bran's voice is again perfect, the melodies are wonderful, those weird sounds that connect melodies throughout their songs are well done, but still this album needsThe album is not bad, but its not good either. In my opinion its another try for a ''crack the skye'' album success. They try to sound proggy, aggressive and emotional together. I like the focus on their vocals and especially Bran's voice is again perfect, the melodies are wonderful, those weird sounds that connect melodies throughout their songs are well done, but still this album needs more time. More time on the composition, MORE time on mixing and more time to think outside of the box and blew our minds again as ''crack'' did. I also can recognise some well produced songs like ''Sultan's Curse'', ''Streambreather'' and ''Jaguar God''.… Expand
  7. GlauberSohjian
    Mar 31, 2017
    10
    Emperor of Sand, no doubt, is Mastodon's most captive and emotional album yet. The melodies are dense, the riffs furious, epic refrains, deep lyrics and stellar vocals, a perfect balance of melancholy beauty and euphoric apex. The ambiences of the songs are cinematographic, it feels like in the arid desert, or you come across a sandstorm and then plunge into a river of crystal clear water,Emperor of Sand, no doubt, is Mastodon's most captive and emotional album yet. The melodies are dense, the riffs furious, epic refrains, deep lyrics and stellar vocals, a perfect balance of melancholy beauty and euphoric apex. The ambiences of the songs are cinematographic, it feels like in the arid desert, or you come across a sandstorm and then plunge into a river of crystal clear water, although it is only a mirage. The choruses are the best already composed by the band, but despite containing a dense emotional level and an imbued melancholy, they manage to interact with more tense passages, full of anger and anguish, and even happy melodies that pass on a post-traumatic hope. It is a sum of elements that culminates in an epic and memorable work.… Expand
  8. BradTheGeek
    Apr 17, 2017
    9
    Yeah! Hell yeah! Brilliant album. Been loving this band for a while now. Crack the Skye is still my favorite, but this album just keeps giving. Solid riffs, solid mixing, amazing vocals. I have to say that vocally, this album sounds awesome. Brann and Troy especially bring it with Brett not far behind. Bill and Brett's guitars are strong as always and interplay nicely. This is aYeah! Hell yeah! Brilliant album. Been loving this band for a while now. Crack the Skye is still my favorite, but this album just keeps giving. Solid riffs, solid mixing, amazing vocals. I have to say that vocally, this album sounds awesome. Brann and Troy especially bring it with Brett not far behind. Bill and Brett's guitars are strong as always and interplay nicely. This is a band that can suffer pain and loss and pour it into music. The emotion here is palpable, especially if you watch some of the making of videos on youtube, particularly the one on vocals (part 10 i think).

    Lyrically, there are a few weaker spots, and I yet found a longer track that lives up to epics like Diamond in the Witch House or The Last Baron. Roots Remain is a contender and a great song, but not as epic as those, and has a little bit too much compression at about 2:55 that makes the dynamics 'pump' too much, especially on weaker speakers. This is followed up by an amazing 'Hunteresque" guitar solo at the end.

    So far, stand out tracks are Steambreather, Roots Remain, Show Yourself and Clandestiny.

    Grab this one, blast it, love it, go to a show and mosh with me.    … Expand
  9. Basaure
    Apr 1, 2017
    10
    Epic album, very diverse in sound but at the same time quite consistent with previous Mastodon work. A beast of an album that surpasses both The Hunter and Once More 'Round The Sun while also reviewing the sounds explored before. Every song is a highlight on its own and in the big picture.
  10. Johnokeefe2
    Mar 31, 2017
    10
    I had to make an account to write this review, because this is one good album. A fan of Mastodon'a for many years, this is the first that really made me view the group on a higher level. The riffs are heavy, the drums are fast roll smoothly, and the bass lines hit hard. The overall story of a man being sent out into the desert to die is an intriguing one, and harkens back to the first ofI had to make an account to write this review, because this is one good album. A fan of Mastodon'a for many years, this is the first that really made me view the group on a higher level. The riffs are heavy, the drums are fast roll smoothly, and the bass lines hit hard. The overall story of a man being sent out into the desert to die is an intriguing one, and harkens back to the first of Mastodon's albums where they would tell stories through the music (future albums moved on to more thematic tones). Listen to this album if you enjoy rock in general, or thoroughly enjoy Prog.… Expand
  11. vitalemrecords
    Apr 18, 2017
    3
    It sounds like a tribute album - dedicated to this wicked cool band - called Mastodon - but I don't know what garbage band made THIS album - SmashMouthdodon?
  12. ddeus25
    Apr 5, 2017
    8
    Making an album the central conceit of which is the tragedy of cancer is a daunting task, and one which requires incredible spirit lest the music sputter into the darkly maudlin or nervously laughable. Yet Mastodon have taken to the pedals and the reels and have released just such a record.

    Listeners will find that Emperor of Sand contains songs which echo both the massive sludge sound    Making an album the central conceit of which is the tragedy of cancer is a daunting task, and one which requires incredible spirit lest the music sputter into the darkly maudlin or nervously laughable. Yet Mastodon have taken to the pedals and the reels and have released just such a record.

    Listeners will find that Emperor of Sand contains songs which echo both the massive sludge sound of Mastodon's Remission days and the trippy progginess of their later years. While some may not find this dichotic presentation appealing, the rendering is necessary for the narrative the record is presenting. The passage of time and life are almost palpable: from the opener, Sultan's Curse, up to Scorpion Breath, one is witness to an end. Yet it is in Jaguar God, the final track, that the threads connect, giving a sort of bitter yet welcome catharsis.

    At their best, Mastodon make heavy metal records that encourage the listener to read the lyrics of the songs, not just for purposes of doing an abrasive take on karaoke, but to get into the story, and Emperor of Sand brings to the fore the very elements which have given the group a glutinous following of not just pure metalheads, but fantasy and sci-fi nerds as well. Predominantly heavy riffing, complex drumming, and the three vocalmeisters in good form make this record memorable; the return to highfalutin concepts make it an instant classic. This is the finest they have produced since Crack the Skye, and the most poignant the group has fashioned.

    Metal has a soul, and it's almost like literature.    … Expand
  13. A7sus4
    Mar 31, 2017
    9
    Incredibly rich album. The performances are mind blowing, the tracks are expertly written and deceptively epic. Mastodon is at the top of their game and Brendan O'Brien lets all the details have their space.
  14. DavidWasHere
    Oct 9, 2017
    6
    While I would never say a band "sold out" or hate an album from a metal group that's going for a more accessible sound, I'm not going to like this new Mastodon album rubbed me the wrong way. A lot of the band's trademark sludge-meets-progressive metal sound is here and is as harsh and exhilarating as ever, there are a ton of spots that sound like they are trying for a softer alt-metalWhile I would never say a band "sold out" or hate an album from a metal group that's going for a more accessible sound, I'm not going to like this new Mastodon album rubbed me the wrong way. A lot of the band's trademark sludge-meets-progressive metal sound is here and is as harsh and exhilarating as ever, there are a ton of spots that sound like they are trying for a softer alt-metal sound. Like Show Yourself has vocals that wouldn't be out of place on a 90s grunge album, Ancient Kingdom concludes with this mix of hard rock and orchestral music that would be out of place on My Chemical Romance's the Black Parade (and no I am not kidding on that analogy), to the super bland ballad closer Jaguar God that is a blatant and shameless rip-off of Metallica's Nothing Even Matters before devolving into a hodgepodge of different styles and sounds that's more choppy than pleasing, and Precious Stones has these Queens of the Stone Age riffs mixed with what kind of sounds like Foo Fighters vocal inflections. And speaking of vocals, the goofy deep voice yet clean singing on Word of the Wise is just down right hilarious for all the wrong reasons! That's not to say this more accessible sound is terrible on all the songs here, Roots Remain is still powerful even with a radio friendly sound for the hard rock stations.

    I know Mastodon is making more accessible records for non-metalheads, and I enjoy albums like the Hunter and Once More 'Round the Sun as much as I enjoy albums like Leviathan and Crack the Skye. However here I feel the band is at an identity crisis, mixing their trademark sound with a style of another band or musical ideas, but unfortunately never panning out. It's certainly not bad! In fact in a few years, I could see this album growing on me. Mastodon are still a talented band and there is still a ton of mosh ready thrashers here and there. But in the end, it's just not really doing it for me.    … Expand
  15. Andremax
    Nov 2, 2018
    8
    The band's heaviness looks it's appearing here. Mastodon returns making concept album since sensational Crack the Skye. Mixing melodies so present in The Hunter, the band's beginning lapse of weight, interesting concept, vocal melodies, makes this album more worthwhile than its predecessor.
  16. thesupremekai
    May 22, 2017
    10
    This is the best Mastodon album since Crack the Skye. Overall this album sounds like a mix of all of their previous albums mixed together. Brent Hinds and Bran Dailor are **** incredible on this album. Emperor of Sand sounds like the true follow up to Crack the Skye. I'm going to pretend that the Hunter and One More Sunshine never happened. As far as I'm concerned, Mastodon only have 5 albums.
  17. jbrock11
    Apr 14, 2023
    10
    I honestly think this is right up there with Crack the Skye. Maybe even better as an overall album. While Crack the Skye probably has more iconic songs, Emperor of Sand has more songs that you'll listen to on repeat. There really isn't any of what I would consider "filler" type songs like there are on past albums. Every song could legit be a single for them. While it's kind of gettingI honestly think this is right up there with Crack the Skye. Maybe even better as an overall album. While Crack the Skye probably has more iconic songs, Emperor of Sand has more songs that you'll listen to on repeat. There really isn't any of what I would consider "filler" type songs like there are on past albums. Every song could legit be a single for them. While it's kind of getting mixed reviews right now, I have no doubt that a year or two down the road, it will be much more appreciated and lauded than it is now.… Expand
  18. Music_Observer
    May 14, 2017
    6
    Without a compelling concept or interesting presentation, this is simply another example of a metal band going after the same exact listeners who crave a specific amount of artificial power, with only the album’s finale showing the amount of bravery and creativity that the rest of the work needed. My Score: 103/180 (Okay) = 5.7/10
  19. 0Villain
    Nov 24, 2017
    8
    This is the culmination of Mastodon's efforts. While not straying from the softer sound they've been drifting towards since Crack the Skye, it still maintains the psychedelic atmosphere akin to what we've seen in Blood Mountain. It's high inducing melodic madness that creates an album I will be listening to for years to come. My only complaint is that some of the tracks sound very similarThis is the culmination of Mastodon's efforts. While not straying from the softer sound they've been drifting towards since Crack the Skye, it still maintains the psychedelic atmosphere akin to what we've seen in Blood Mountain. It's high inducing melodic madness that creates an album I will be listening to for years to come. My only complaint is that some of the tracks sound very similar and contain similar lyrical structures. A variety of lyrical structures would easily fix that, which I hope they take to heart in their next album. My personal favorites were Sultan's Curse, Scorpion Breath and Jaguar God. Give it a listen, you won't regret it!… Expand
  20. enzosbx
    Jun 8, 2023
    8
    Show Yourself is the closest the band came to writing a pop song. It is a decent song, though.

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2017
98
#98 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 19, 2017
    80
    Emperor of Sand, it seems, is a confident and timely step in the right direction. A balanced and well measured offering that might not revolutionise the heavy music landscape just yet, but positions them very well indeed for future greatness.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Apr 14, 2017
    70
    Emperor is solid, dexterously played hard rock from a band that used to crush listener skulls. [No. 141, p.59]
  3. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Apr 10, 2017
    70
    Working again with producer Brendan O’Brien, Mastodon maintains their polished technical expertise. The album is clean but not scrubbed of feeling.
    Read full review
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