Metalcatto
It might not seem like it, but I’m a big Mastodon fan. I think the band had an almost perfect run until Crack the Skye, and that though after that the band was hit or miss for me (except Emperor of Sand, that album slays), I was still optimistic. These guys have endured significant tragedy, member rotation, and the pressure of being an old big band now. Could Marrow Deep fly high again, or are we all going to sink in grief? Let’s see.
Can one say compact and psychedelic? Well, that’s what Marrow Deep is going for. The tracks in general go to the point, but there’s that thick acid-fueled atmosphere. The missing friends aren’t obviously missing, but you do feel something is different—Mastodon feels more restrained somehow. Don’t despair though, because if you liked the last two albums, then you’re going to be more than happy with this different direction.
Marrow Deep still has a lot of the raw and uncompromising energy that has made Mastodon one of THE bands of the 21st century. The musicianship and the songwriting are as interesting as usual, even if there’s no particular track that stuck to my memory. There’s more Sludge than Prog in this album, and for once it’s a good change for a band. However, I’m skeptical about a few things and I’ve gotta write them down.
The album is too freaking long. That’s something that any Mastodon fan has come to get used to, and in the past it paid off, but this isn’t simply Leviathan. The consistency and songwriting aren’t at the same level. Perhaps it’s because we have heard a lot of it before, but Marrow Deep is simply not as exciting as the band’s old releases. Don’t get me wrong—this is still a great album that is fun most of the time. If only most of the tracks were like “The Vanishing,” I’d probably feel different.
This isn’t a negative review. In fact, given all the issues Mastodon has faced in the last years, Marrow Deep is a triumph and a display of these guys’ resilience. It might not be able to compete with the band’s impossible catalogue, but it’s a fresh and nice attempt at doing things a bit different, which was a huge risk, and I think for most of you it’ll pay off. I’d like to think that Brent would be proud of his boys and is having a cold beer in their honor right now somewhere.
Label: Loma Vista Recordings
Release date: August 28, 2026
Website: https://www.mastodonrocks.com/
Country: USA
Score: 3.7/5.0
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