Sheavy (Original review from ProgArchives.com)

Mastodon's second release, and they have certaintly improved from the first album, this is still by no means a masterpiece. I personally find this a good offering from the band, with it's fast pace and crunch. It is pretty technical, especially drummer Brann Dailor, who really steps forward on some tracks, Like Iron Tusk. This album revolves around the sea, and when listening to this album it really does remind you of being in a storm at sea or some other treacherous hapening at sea. The album is kind of a one trick pony, with the songs being very similar, but it is still enjoyable. About the only song that is really a break from the rest is the last song Joseph Merrick. I do not know if this song has anything to do with the Joseph Merrick from england who had severe deformities and was known as "The Elephant Man" ( there was also a movie about him ), but I do not know as a Joseph Merrick is credited with playing the organs. A nice album, but not the best ever.

Kingcrimsonprog Mastodon’s second studio album Leviathan is an absolute must have album, it contains a lot of the band’s most memorable songs and never seems to get old. Leviathan holds an interesting place in the band’s history, less extreme and brash than their debut, but less melodic and progressive than the album which proceeded it. The album has a great feel to it, almost hypnotic in places and vital and energetic in others, Leviathan contains all the ingredients that make the band great in a mix that the band haven’t repeated. Opener and lead single `Blood And Thunder,’ is an absolutely infectious song that will be stuck in your head for days at a time. Other highlights include the hypnotic and dream like `Naked Burn,’ and the heavy and diverse `Megalodon.’ The album builds towards the thirteen minute track, `Hearts Alive,’ which is one of the finest numbers in the band’s entire catalogue, atmospheric, heavy and evocative and finally ends with the haunting `Joseph Merrick.’ The musicanship on Leviathan is undeniable, the album contains all the furious drum work, unique guitar solos and twisting riffs you’d expect from Mastodon, in a package of ten immensely listenable, yet still crushingly heavy songs. If you like Mastodon there is simply no question you’ll enjoy Leviathan, one of the finest albums of the last decade.

Phonebook Eater Mastodon is a sludge metal band from Atlanta that has increasing in popularity since the release of this 2004 release, “Leviathan”, and gained mainstream success with 2009’s “Crack The Skye”, most definitely their most accessible album so far. Before that though we have “Leviathan”, the most violent and roughest Mastodon record yet. Probably the album that perfectly captures their wild, sludgy style.

What makes Mastodon so unique in the sludge metal scene is their fast, dynamic rhythms, which in this genre aren’t particularly used. These rhythms happen mainly thanks to drummer Brenn Dailor, an excellent musician with many noticeable jazz influences. The guitars as a consequence are as well fast and powerful, with a fuzzy and typically stoner metal sound. The vocals by Brent Hinds are also very strong, sometimes they almost sound like growls; his style is very unique, and sometimes he makes this kind of nasal voice for the softer parts.

Very well, produced, “Leviathan” is a true explosion of music, power and energy. The complex and fast rhythms are what really give attitude and character to the album. But the structure of the songs are very respectable; after the explosive moments, with bursting, amp destroying guitar chord riffs, we could have some electric arpeggios, that make the musicianship quite virtuous. The choruses are more melodic, sometimes slower but almost never bringing down a notch the volume. Even in the less violent songs there’s still an energy that rarely you can find in a band, and this is why I’m loving Mastodon and “Leviathan”.

The album is very solid, containing ten, fierce, animated tracks, that will pass as Mastodon classics; from the opener “Blood &Thunder”, probably my favorite song of theirs and definitely their most representative. “Seabeast” is very original and with a somewhat catchy melody and vocals, “Iron Tusk” one of the most violent songs off this album. “Naked Burn” is a perfect example of when the band gets more melodic, but without losing any volume or energy. Special mention to “Hearts Alive”, more than thirteen minutes of time changes, many times very good, even though at times not as convincing, but definitely labels the band a bit progressive.

An album with a great and impenetrable wall of sound, that if you like the genre is absolutely essential you own.

elder08 I downloaded this album a couple of days ago after hearing the single off the album "Seabeast". I thought this song was great and illustrated the technical ability of the band and the originality. So after I heard this song I looked up the album and listened to it. It fucking blew my mind. First off I've never heard of a metal concept album maybe I've listened to one and didnt notice it but thats beyond me. On the first track Blood and Thunder I noticed that it sounded completely different than any other song by them. Knowing what the album is based on helped with the review too. This album is loosely based on Moby Dick explaining the cover and the content of song names and lyrics. It's quite the original concept and if anything I said isnt persuading you too go out and buy this Listen to the song off the album "Hearts Alive" it is amazing.

So overall this album is nearly perfect the only problems it had was the flow into the other songs. Most concept albums have great track transistion but this was slightly falty.

Other than that slight problem I highly reccomend this album.

thellama73 I picked up this album on a whim because it looked interesting and I am a sucker for ocean music. After many listens, I feel qualified to review it. Among the legions of modern metal bands, it's hard for any one to stand out, but Mastodon does a pretty good job. Their sound is distinctive and their songwriting is strong. Some have criticized them because they are not as overtly virtuosic as many other metal bands, but I don't see why that should matter. Virtuosity for its own sake can certainly detract from the music, and Mastodon does not fall into that trap, instead choosing to create a record filled with gloriously heavy odes to Moby Dick. Iron Tusk is the most driving, and arguably most rocking song on the album, and there's no denying that if you're into metal you will enjoy this headbanging rocker. There is also plenty of great oceanic vibes, especially in the epic Hearts Alive, another album highlight. The album closer, Joseph Merrick, is a bit of a surprise, being a low key instrumental, but it is quite nice as a cooldown after the sheer heaviness that comes before. A wholly enjoyable metal album and a worthy edition to any metal collection.