Cold Dark Place - EP

I will never say Mastodon is a bad or untalented band. All their albums until about Hunter (which still had some great songs) remain as some of my personal favorite releases, but each follow-up album becomes increasingly pop-rock. I have mixed feelings of Brent Hindes. He's an amazing guitar player but the fact that he openly admits to not being a metal fan, and that he wishes he wasn't in a metal band really shine more and more on each album. Because of this, and that they are signed with such a major label means that they are under immense pressure to turn profits for their label, results in the pop-rock sound. So they can say that they're "pushing into new territory and evolving", but really they're just toning it down and trying to be more mainstream. They may be kind of exhausted. Anyway, gone are all the weird interesting meaty riffs that drew me to the band. Mastodon has lost it's teeth. They have no shortage of mainstream fan-boys so it's not a total loss. If you like the heavier more epic stuff, I think "Live in Brixton" serves as a great send-off album that serves as a cap-stone to their earlier days. Still a good band, I can't get really excited about anything past thier first four LPs and 3 or four tracks off hunter. This album only reassures me of that. Fans of pop-rock might think it's amazing though.

Anyone who rates this album lower than 4 stars is a poser and need not be listened to. This album is terrific. Everything Mastodon does is gold. Leviathan is their best album. Remission is my favorite. This is just another in a long line of rock genius.

Great stuff. You can really feel the raw emotion put into each and every one of the songs. They fit together perfectly for this little EP.

They were one of a kinda back in the day..... now just another band for the masses. Dont get me wrong they are great musicians, but the direction they have deicded to take on the past few albums is not one im able to follow with my personal musical taste.

This is not Mastodon anymore.its a tired and creatively exhausted group of talented people. It all went downhill after Blood Mountain. The Hunter was good and I enjoy it, but beyond that is weak sauce.

One of the myriad reasons I LOVE this band is their firm commitment to maintain evolution. Once More these fine lads have conjured melodic magic. A Cold Dark Place is a departure from their solid foundations of heavier metal, yet it is no less relevant than the previous offerings from these musicians with exemplary talent. I inquire... If you're in a boat on the ocean, do you ever remain in the same space? Exceptional bands are no different. They seek to push the envelope, constantly. Mastodon have mastered this rare technique and continue to share with us their extraordinary sound...

You amateur music critics need to get off your Hobby Horses and how about you guys go out there try to do something you are passionate about and take on the slings and arrows. Great tunes Mastodon!

At first it seemed kinda dull and weird, but it really grew on me towards the end and upon the second and third listen.

These four tracks speak to the extreme talent that these four lads have. Dark, melodic, oddly soothing. This has it all for me. I would love to hear an entire album in this vein.

Toe to toes is such a good song it's ridiculous...