Here are a few thoughts about Mastodon gig that I've seen... 8 months ago.
The venue was Hala park in Zagreb. New place, never been there. It looks cool with the steel container on the one side of the park that serve both as a food/drink/merch stand and a terrace. Luckily it was cloudy, because heat in June in ZG can be exhausting. Downside, it is located next to a big and busy street, which is (at moments) taking the spotlight from the gig with its light and traffic noise.
First on the bill were Baroness. Cool band, I've tried to get into them after the gig, but it didn't stick (so far). The band was really into it (especially the lady on the guitar), the vocal was great and relaxed, but I got distracted by their bass player. Shirtless guy in a white overall, long hair with a huge bald spot, playing heavy metal, but his stage moves resembling a Lynard Skynyrd tribute band. Amazing. Like a magnificent car crash, without casualties—you're glad everyone's OK, but the question lingers in your head “How the fu** did this happen?!”
Next were Kvelertak. Now, that was something. It took some time to realize that half of the songs were in Norwegian - they were that fun to watch. Although all the stage antics that sound clichéd works for this band: waving banner, jumping into the audience, drenching the sweat from your shirt directly into your mouth (yes, it happened, it was disgusting, it made the whole audience roar and laugh). Too bad their music are not my cup of tea, still, as an opener they did a great job.
And then came Mastodon.
At first, I must say I was surprised that they've put their guest musician as a permanent member during the tour. I mean, he was not permanent, but considering the fact they've arranged the stage in a way where he and Bran share the back of the stage, and he was on stage during the whole gig - IDK, it was weird. It did have its pluses during new songs where he actually played, but on older stuff where there are no synths—it just looked odd to me. Standing there, bobbing his head with that Slash top hat he looked completely out of the element.
Next thing I must mention is Bill Keliher. The last couple of times I saw them was in the club, where the stage was a lot smaller that it was now. But now, on a bigger stage, he was really... alive. Headbanging, throwing his guitar, power stance - whatever, it was really a sight to see. More so, I'm of an opinion that he is one of the most underrated (younger? youngish?) guitar players. Only when watching how they made their last album (Hushed and Grim) I realized that most of (if not all) riffs came from him. Actually, looking past couple of albums it was mostly him coming with the ideas, with Bran constructing them. And rarely do I see him mentioned when somebody talks about "modern" guitar players which is really a shame. I actually met him couple of years ago, he did a quick run around the arena (I think he started running when he got of alcohol) He used the same app as I did, we talked for a bit and he really struck me as down-to-Earth guy.
The sound was good, at least second part of the gig. I haven't even hears Brent's guitar or vocals until "The Czar", which was (one of the) highlight. The other one would be "Black Tongue" which I finally heard live. They've played 8 songs from "Hushed and Grim" and although they we're well received they didn't have the impact as some of the older songs ("Blood and Thunder" for example). The setlist is here
SETLIST .
Who knows, maybe in 20 years when they do an anniversary tour of "Hushed and Grim" the crowd will go ape-shit when they hear the songs.
In conclusion, Mastodon should be bigger. Way bigger. I don't know how they already don't headline festivals in Europe or why are they downsizing their tours in USA. Moreso, they now a lot of material for a headlining tour so I it's really a shame they're doing co-headlining tours.
loudwire.com
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