Relapse Records Turns 25: Their 10 Most Groundbreaking Releases
A Return To The Roots Of Relapse Records
2. Mastodon – Leviathan (2004)
Source // litreactor.com
Relapse’s punt on these hairy noiseniks proved to be a fine bit of business when Mastodon followed up their eye-catching debut Remission with the instant classic, Leviathan.
Taking Herman Melville’s Moby Dick as inspiration, these Atlantan mavericks concocted an album as grandiose and sonically enormous as Captain Ahab’s, White Whale nemesis; cementing Leviathan‘s standing as a Progressive Metal masterpiece in the process.
“Blood And Thunder” is still the catchiest song Mastodon ever penned and a bone-fide hit for Relapse; its central riff is an absolute neck-wrecker and throws you straight into the deep end of Leviathan‘s ingenious narrative.
11 years on, Mastodon are a band who continue to ride on the crest of a creative wave with their position amongst the elite of Metal bands now firmly set in stone. While Mastodon would move to a major label for their next record it was during their time on Relapse’s books that they were at their creative peak.
Hi Chris,
Interesting list, to say the least. “Through Silver in Blood” as #1 is spot-on. That album is one the heaviest albums of all time. And it was so, so groundbreaking. And still is. Neurosis absolutely rules. I can’t say I agree with all your picks (High on Fire?), but your passion is obvious, so I’ll drink to that. But man, where is “Using Sickness as a Hero” by Human Remains? That’s a forgotten classic for sure. Thanks for the great read.
Stéphane Pageau
Hey man, thanks for reading and commenting. “Using Sickness As A Hero” is a unique album I’ll say that much, look for it in a future article!
I like this list. It is a good list. Thank you.
….and thank you for reading \m/
Thanks, man.