Review
"Crack the Skye," Mastodon's fourth studio opus, dropped on March 24, 2009, and it's nothing short of a metaphysical voyage. Representing the elusive element of aether, this album is steeped in themes of souls and spirits, drawing heavily from personal tragedy—specifically, drummer Brann Dailor's loss of his sister, Skye. This emotional gravity is channeled through a progressive metal soundscape, leaving their sludge roots behind to embrace intricate guitar work, technical drumming, and a fusion of clean and screamed vocals. Every note and beat feels like an invocation, urging listeners to dive deep and lose themselves in the labyrinthine layers best experienced through headphones.
The narrative underpinning "Crack the Skye" is both fantastical and heart-wrenching, telling the tale of a paraplegic boy who astral projects, only to find himself lost in a wormhole and ultimately ending up in Tsarist Russia. There, amidst the swirling mysticism of the era, he encounters Rasputin, who seeks to guide him back to his corporeal form. This sprawling story is interlaced with the band's profound musical craftsmanship, offering a dark yet poignant aural journey. Tracks like "Oblivion" highlight Dailor’s evocative voice paired with the band's technical brilliance, while "The Last Baron," a 13-minute colossus, concludes the album with a powerful resonance. "Crack the Skye" stands as a monumental testament to Mastodon’s prowess, creativity, and raw emotional depth, resonating deeply with prog-metal devotees. - Dante
