For most people, Mastodon's sound conjures up images of flaming antlers and blood-soaked, prognosticating trees. When I hear Mastodon, I think of Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc lining up for three-pointers. There's admittedly little basketball imagery in Mastodon's lyrics, but every time I've listened to Blood Mountain, I've just so happened to be playing NBA Jam: Tournament Edition on Super Nintendo at the same time. Each pounding guitar line forms a vivid image of swirling, flaming dunks from half-court care of Mookie Blaylock. Each piecing metal freakout brings me back to the time Dennis Rodman stole the ball at the last second and brought the game into overtime with an amazing underhand toss.
All I'm saying is, Mastodon is versatile music. Sure, I had some tracks off Leviathan on my "goat sacrifice, etc." playlist, but there was a time I was afraid to transfer them over to "jock jams." Gather your friends, your enemies, and your dwindling hoop skills, because Mastodon is coming to town next year.
Metal can be for anyone and everyone... even B.J. Armstrong:
01.26.07 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
01.27.07 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
01.28.07 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing
01.30.07 - Tallahassee, FL - Beta Bar
02.01.07 - Knoxville, TN - Blue Cats
02.03.07 - Sauget, IL - Pop's
02.05.07 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
02.07.07 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Orbit Room
02.09.07 - Pittsburg, PA - Rex Theater
02.10.07 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
02.11.07 - Providence, RI - Lupo's
02.13.07 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
02.14.07 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
02.15.07 - Clifon Park, NY - Northern Lights
02.16.07 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
02.17.07 - Washington, DC - 9.30 Club
all dates with Converge and Priestess
