![]() Not to mention the dissonant “ Andromeda” a tip of that hat to “ Naked Burn” perhaps? Even a slight throwback nature of Crack The Skye quality “ Scorpion Breath” where our protagonist seeks resolve.Įmbracing their progressive nature, Emperor of Sand positions itself high atop the band’s list of records as some of the band’s best work. The palaeolithic sound the band pioneered returns yet now coalescing with their newer vidiom, courtesy in part to Dailor’s fantastic vocals, in particular the bridge section that take on a Psychedelic yet poignant, funerary acceptance. ![]() The enveloping of “ Roots Remain” sees where Mastodon return to their 2007 – 2009 sound. Dominated by Dailor’s vocals the brilliantly titled “ Steambreather” puts the higher, more melodic approach forward particularly in the track’s chorus section. Despite this however, major keys of “ Precious Stones“, where we see Hinds take the vocal spotlight temporarily sees a positive upbeat sound. With this in mind the record contains a darker quality to the material that the band have put forward previous. Being a metaphor for the universal affliction, as we have all no doubt experienced, the effects of cancer have an impact that ripples throughout life and have most recently touched the band in some way or another Exploring the understanding of death via our character who is cursed to wander the arid plains forever until his demise. Amongst the onion like conceptual layers lies the unifying principle of mortality. Using the band as a conduit towards emotion, despite their enchanting tones of faraway tales, Emperor of Sand is perhaps the band’s most honest offering to date. March 31st 2017Īfter the celestial tinkering of the initial section of “ Sultan’s Curse” has beguiled the listener we’re immediately then smacked down with the elephantine sounds that leave that lasting Mastodon imprint. Having put their previous release ‘Once More Round The Sun to bed, the band venture into the cosmos once more for the bewitching Emperor of Sand From the space dimension exploratory Crack The Skye, the inner quest in Blood Mountain and of course the beautiful take on Moby Dick that was Leviathan. Centering on a theme for each release, we’ve treated to a plethora of ideas. Layering melody, rhythm and story to create something altogether transcendental from the mere confines of music. ![]() Well versed in the art, Mastodon were practically born to write with concept in mind. An unattainable zenith for some in the music world. It seems like Mastodon is making a statement about the disaffected groups and the atmosphere around the time this song was released, and even two years later today.The concept album. I feel this song illustrates a part of the story of any number of real life people who, once lost and angry, find a cause to join after being absorbed into a clan. "And devour your humanity": another way of saying "Give your life." "Follow me and follow sound to the end of your eternity": where, "eternity" was an infinite path the character being spoken to was on before, but by following "sound", the character now has a "destiny" or destination, bringing it back to the song title. Maybe unveiling itself "above the ground" is another one of the clan's goals. Underground in a dark, silent environment. "We can be above the ground": suggests they are living underground right now. This line also downplays "life", as if it was something fungible.Ī few things here. ![]() "It's all we need": we don't need your other unique aspects your "life" for the clan is all we need. "Save your life" suggests the acting out from the beginning may have included downward spiraling / suicidal thoughts/ behavior. It needs the "lives" of its members, literally or metaphorically: organ transplant ("So I can breathe"), vs something like devoting all your energy to the clan. The clan will do these things, "mend your broken heart" and "retort the trials that you have lost" if the person joins. "The moment" could be the the event or that started the clan the clan's ideals therefore consumed their "sight". The recruiter describes how the environment for both of them is "dark and bare," with "no clarity, no light". These next few lines are how the "recruiter" describes the clan: "no illness and no pain", "Have not found any suffering". Running without vision." "Wronging all that's right" suggests that the character is acting out because he/she was suffering. In this story, the character being spoken to has suffered without a say or guidance: "Silent all you life. So to me, this song tells a story where a secretive clan recruits someone to "Give their live". This is not only a play on "clandestine" but also evokes imagery from the words "clan" and "destiny". My InterpretationI like the song's title, Clandestiny.
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