The new album by Mastodon, " The Hunter ", has a much more livelier sound than that of the previous album " Crack The Skye ". It makes you want to headbang the minute you start listening to the album.

The music has become much more like the album " Blood Mountain ", with a much heavier approach as opposed to the softer, more melodic stuff that Mastodon are known best for. Although this album is heavier and livelier than the last, it still doesn't sound like the heavy, pummelling guitars, quick drum beats, and death metal vocals which are in Mastodon's first two albums, " Remission " and " Leviathan ". The sound that got Mastodon noticed is clearly in the past, but the heavier approach to this album has definitely brought their edge back!
The title track " The Hunter ", with it's beautiful progression and haunting vocals, definitely deserves its place as the title track as, although it's a very soft, melodic song, it gives an eerie feeling and has some brilliant solos, excellently executed and with a passion you can feel.
The symphonic element at the beginning of the song " The Creature Lives " brilliantly builds up to this progressive, dramatic song. It may not be the heaviest song on the album but has a softly relaxing tone which is an amazing wind down song for the end of a busy day.

This album is definitely a new sound for the band, although the vocals remain similar to that of the last album, looks like Lead Vocalist Troy Sanders has chosen to stick with this vocal styling as opposed to the different types of vocals he has used in each of Mastodon's albums.
There are definitely some very catchy tunes such as in the shortest song on the album " Blasteroid " which opens with ferocious harmonies and headbanging riffs. This song also has a few terrific screams in it which adds to the catchiness of this song. I think, one of the best songs on the album ( along with the title track " The Hunter " ) . It really makes you realise what Mastodon are capable of.

Overall I think this album will be a great hit with both the old fans and the ones who have only just discovered Mastodon! The album has a wide spectrum of music, ranging from soft, progressive music, to quick, almost thrashy music in songs such as " Spectrelight ". With its melodic, yet heavy sound, Mastodon will definitely gain a few fans from this album. It makes you want to move and headbang and the catchy lyrics will definitely be in your head for a long while; this album is a brilliant release from Mastodon!

Album Rating: 8/10
Best Tracks: The Hunter, The Creature Lives.
For Fans of: High On Fire, Neurosis.