Hunter

Mastodon recorded their first demo in June 2000 and played numerous dates with bands as far ranging as Cannibal Corpse, Queens Of The Stone Age and Morbid Angel. The crushing demo and powerful live shows earned them a record deal with Relapse records, and in August the band released its debut EP Lifesblood. Technically complex, rhythmically pummeling and instilled with groove, the disc earned Mastodon a loyal following even if it didn't exactly pay the rent.

In October 2001, Mastodon entered the studio with producer Matt Bayles to record their full-length debut, Remission, a striking blend of stoner metal, hardcore, prog-rock and, southern rock that set the metal world ablaze. But it was the raging turmoil and pulverizing elegance of 2004's Leviathan, again recorded with Bayles, that made Mastodon one of the most lauded new groups. Revolver called them 'one of the 25 Greatest Live Bands Ever' and Metal Hammer declared them a group you 'Must Hear' and Kerrang labelled them 'Best Band On The Planet'. It wasn't just metal fans that felt the love. Alternative Press named them one the '25 Most Important Bands in Metal' and they were even profiled in Rolling Stone.

2006's 'Blood Mountain' was surreal, progressive and unflinchingly heavy peaking in the UK album charts at #46. Mastodon crafted an album that's musically sophisticated yet primal, a disc where every new passage, regardless of how slow or fast, leads to the culmination of an epic adventure. And the diversity is astonishing. 'Capillarian Crest' alternates between jazzy tendrils and moshpit-rattling ferocity, sounding like a fierce amalgam of Motorhead, King Crimson and Rush, 'Hunters Of The Sky' is a surging, off-kilter race with drums as tumultuous as Keith Moon and 'Pendulous Skin' is expansive and celestial, with guitars reminiscent at times of Deep Purple and Pink Floyd.

However, it was 2009's 'Crack The Skye' album that bought all those prog rock influences crashing to the service. A sprawling, widescreen rock concept album, 'Crack The Skye' saw Mastodon reach new peaks of technical excellence delivering their first UK top 40 album.

Produced by Mike Elizondo (Avenged Sevenfold), Mastodon's 5th full-length album 'The Hunter' marks a return to the raw, fast-paced sound of old, eschewing the psychedelic path of it's predecessor. "There's only one song longer than five minutes on the whole record" explains guitarist Bill Kelliher. "Most of them are three and a half, maybe four minutes long, and it's very upbeat and uptempo". Lyrically the album pays tribute to guitarist Brent Hinds' older brother - a lifelong hunter - who tragically passed away last year.

"When we started, we never imagined getting to where we are today" bassist Troy Sanders says "We're so grateful and we appreciate everything that's been said about us. This has all been unreal. But we still feel like we've still got so far left to go".