Owing significantly more to the progressive leanings of Voivod rather than a certain Bay Area quartet they are so regularly compared to, _Blood Mountain_ closes the book on _Leviathan_'s sea-faring abstraction and evokes an altogether earthier atmosphere that at times brings to mind Kyuss' _Welcome to Sky Valley_. Clean singing has now all but completely taken the place of _Remission_'s duelling growls; unsurprising, but entirely suited to the new songs and never once entering mainstream-baiting territory. Even a heartfelt moment in "Pendulous Skin" avoids sounding commercial and draws the record to a natural and suitably affecting close.

But the Altanta foursome work best when their creativity is being indulged to an almost schizophrenic degree. "The Wolf Is Loose" is a jarring, impactful introduction to the album: up-tempo, aggressive and perhaps best described as the present-day equivalent of "Crusher Destroyer". The references to _ Dimension Hatröss_ are given vivid credence on "Hunters of the Sky" and "Hand of Stone", while on "This Mortal Coil" Mastodon shift gears and bring the extraterrestrial musings of _2112_ kicking and screaming into the 21st century. It's only on an awkward "Bladecatcher" that Mastodon's propensity for self-indulgence gets the better of them and ends up casting a blight on an otherwise sterling piece of work. By that point it's almost irrelevant however.

Whether or not the band are destined for the levels of success tipped for them, _Blood Mountain_ is as challenging and eloquent a listen as either of its two predecessors; and if that were to appeal to larger audience, well, then we should be thankful that more people have started to open their eyes to good music.